Conversations, connections, and trends: Highlights from our latest CRE conferences

It’s been a whirlwind month for our team, with packed schedules and miles traveled to conferences across the country. From New York to Florida, we’ve been attending some of the biggest commercial real estate events of the season. These conferences provide more than just networking opportunities—they keep us at the forefront of trends, the who’s who, and overall changes to commercial real estate dynamics.

As we catch our breath from this busy travel season, we wanted to share some key insights from the road. Below are the key takeaways and fresh perspectives from our team:

NAI Global Leadership Summit

First up, our VP of Product, Chris Smiles , represented us as a platinum sponsor at the NAI Global Leadership Summit in New York. Reflecting on his time there, Chris shared:

“It was great traveling to New York City as a platinum sponsor of the NAI Global Leadership Summit. I had a chance to get to know NAI’s new CEO, Alex Waddey, and to “talk shop” with managing directors from across the NAI network. The speaker sessions were jam-packed with CRE insight: an economic outlook from BofA economist Jonathan Kozy, a boots-on-the-ground view of the market from Island Capital executives Paul Hughson and Geoffrey Woodward, and a masterful coaching workshop from Jeff Beals. NAI Global is a long-time partner—with roughly 70% of all NAI offices using Buildout Showcase—and we look forward to continued growth together.”

Constructicons

Meanwhile, Media Account Executive Maddie Carroll headed to the Constructicons event In Cincinnati, where she engaged with a diverse group of construction professionals. Maddie highlighted her experience:

“Last week, I attended the Constructicons event, where I connected with key players across the construction industry. It was a great opportunity to discuss trends and explore partnerships. From software and financial management to IT solutions and even turf installation for local soccer fields, it highlighted how our offerings can integrate into various aspects of the commercial real estate space.”

CORFAC

Next, Account Executive Will Martin shared his experience at CORFAC International 's Fall Conference in Atlanta. Having attended before, Will noted:

“Last week, I got the chance to travel down to Atlanta for CORFAC International’s Fall Conference. This was my second CORFAC conference, so it was great seeing some familiar faces while continuing to meet new members that make up CORFAC’s teams. We heard nothing but great feedback from both the teams that have been long-time Buildout users as well as the newer users that just signed on as recently as this year. The highlight of the week was the panel session that Helen sat on, discussing AI’s opportunities in commercial real estate. Out of all the discussions I was able to sit in on, this panel generated the most engagement from the CORFAC members, with a variety of differing opinions—some using AI daily and others a little more cautious about adopting it so early.”

Society of Exchange Counselors

Finally, Senior Account Executive Mikaela Allee returned from the latest Society Of Exchange Counselors - S.E.C meeting, where she once again witnessed the innovative spirit of the group. She shared:

“I just got back from the latest Society of Exchange Counselors meeting, where once again, I was blown away by the creativity and ingenuity in the room. This group consistently finds innovative ways to structure deals that deliver real wins for their clients. The meeting was packed with opportunities, product, and exchanges, showcasing the best of what these brilliant minds can achieve. We’ve proudly been an Annual Sponsor for three years now, and every event reinforces why we value this partnership. Looking forward to many more successful years with SEC!”

Message from our CEO

Adding to the reflections on this busy month, our CEO, Helen Calvin , shared her thoughts after attending three major conferences:

“After an incredible week attending three major conferences, my prevailing emotion is - gratitude. To have connected with so many talented brokers and professionals across the industry in Rhode Island, Georgia, and Florida and to feel the optimism that was in the air, it was nothing short of electric. It was an honor to speak at the C5+CCIM and CORFAC conferences alongside such sharp leaders. I'm better for having been in the room. As we look forward to market changes and new opportunities, the topic of AI remains as relevant as ever, and it's clear that this technology will continue to be at the forefront of our discussions as we navigate the future together. And I'd be remiss not to thank Buildout's talented team—Mikaela and Will. Only a team that good could make it look that easy. Onward!”

While we’ve covered a lot of ground this month, the travel doesn’t stop there. Senior Account Executive Gina Melchiorri is currently in Calgary, Canada, attending the TCN Worldwide Fall Conference. If you happen to be at the event, be sure to say hello—Gina would love to connect and discuss the latest in commercial real estate!

As we continue to participate in these industry-leading events, we’re excited about the insights we’ve gained and the opportunities ahead. From New York to Florida, Atlanta to Calgary, our team remains committed to building relationships, staying ahead of industry trends, and helping our partners navigate the evolving commercial real estate landscape.

Thank you for following along with our journey. We look forward to sharing more updates as we continue to hit the road, connecting with professionals across the globe and bringing fresh ideas back to our work.