About the Event

Over the past 50 years, the built environment has weathered multiple cycles of fluctuating supply and demand, a volatile financial environment, economic downturns, and other market forces, impacting its ability to embrace technological innovation. After each “hype” cycle – and we have witnessed numerous in recent history – comes a reversal phase marked by stricter financial scrutiny. In 2009, our theme “Show Me the ROI” reflected a clear shift from the irrational exuberance of the pre-2008 era to a sharper focus on the actual financial performance of technology investments.

Now in 2025, we stand at a pivotal crossroads: On one side, the technology hype cycle that began in 2008, fueled by abundant, inexpensive capital, has come to a close, negatively impacting the trajectory for hundreds of PropTech start-ups. Simultaneously, a new wave of disruptive innovations (AI, 5G, immersive experiences, IoT, cybersecurity, and more) is emerging, each with its own respective hype cycle.

For those in the built environment, these technological shifts intersect with pressing industry challenges: the functional obsolescence of prominent real estate asset types – most notably office buildings – coinciding with ongoing fiscal recalibrations of debt and value, changing migration trends, and significant urban issues like homelessness and crime.

This convergence creates a friction between swiftly adopting innovation and ensuring that new technologies undergo rigorous and justified financial evaluation. At Realcomm, we’ve spent emphasizing how technology, automation, and innovation can significantly impact operational efficiency, energy sustainability, and the occupant experience. That conviction is now stronger than ever in 2025.

As AI evolves and advanced communications accelerate, we will see some of the most substantial changes in design, construction, leasing, operations, transactions, and general building use – changes unlike anything we’ve seen in the past century. Commercial and corporate real estate professionals across every sector must quickly understand and embrace these innovations if they want their buildings to meet the demands of 21st-century occupants.

The greatest challenge lies in pursuing transformation without compromising sound financial analysis. In other words, the business case must be compelling and measurable, offering a clear Return on Investment (ROI). It is a delicate balancing act – what some might call "threading the needle" – to successfully implement enterprise systems, smart building solutions, and experiential technologies. A positive outcome depends heavily on balancing calculated risk, thoughtful dialogue, firm commitment, precise execution, and a clear focus on tackling major challenges and spurring transformational change.

Buildings are central to our daily lives, and as technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, finding this balance is critical. We invite you to join us in June to continue the journey and explore this year’s theme: The New ROI: Return on Innovation – Aligning the CRE Business Case with a Transformative Technology Strategy.