C5+CCIM SUMMIT: Conference Highlights

This September, The CCIM Institute co-presented the C5 + CCIM Global Summit, the premier commercial real estate conference bringing together leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from across the industry. Now in its fifth year, the summit has become a cornerstone event for networking, dealmaking, and sharing insights that are actively shaping the future of commercial real estate. 

This year’s event showcased the full spectrum of the CRE community, from brokers and developers to investors, economic development corporations, and CCIM Designees. Conversations covered every corner of the industry—from financing and development to sales, management, and investment strategies—creating a space for meaningful collaboration and new opportunities.  

CCIM Course: AI-Powered Marketing, Social Media & Client Engagement for CRE 
Michael Hironimus – Principal, Duckridge Realty Advisors 
Bo Barron - Co-Founder, HearthStone Capital 

This course emphasized that the future of commercial real estate marketing had been powered by artificial intelligence. Participants discovered how to leverage AI tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity AI, Google NotebookLM, and more to build compelling property listings, automate email campaigns, and create engaging social media content. Attendees also learned strategies for developing investor-ready pitch decks, showcasing how AI could streamline marketing efforts and elevate client engagement. 

Commercial Leadership Development (NAR Panel: Building Relationships) 
Veronica Malolos, CCIM - CEO & Founder, CapStrata Group of Companies  
Cyndee Haydon, CRS PMN, CIPS – 2025 Secretary, Florida Realtors 
Steve Rich, CCIM – 2025 Global President, The CCIM Institute 
Michael Hinton, CCIM - 2025 President, Florida CCIM Chapter 
Beth Cicchetti, CEcD, MEDP – Executive Director, Florida Economic Development Council 

As part of Commercial Leadership Development Day, where CRE leaders gathered for panels, discussions, and exercises to grow as leaders, this session featured a panel of industry leaders moderated by Veronica Malolos, CCIM. The conversation centered on how to strengthen local engagement and collaboration. Steve Rich, CCIM, noted that strong speakers and continuing education can drive attendance and create credibility, while also opening the door to international collaboration. Malolos reminded attendees that success is not just about financial outcomes, but about building meaningful connections. Michael Hinton, CCIM, described how hosting small gatherings, such as lunches or mixers, allows leaders to share contact information, exchange ideas, and focus on collaboration over competition. Beth Cicchetti, CEcD, MEDP, emphasized that in larger regions, boards should be structured to connect members with community and business leaders, and that partners can provide not just prospects but also infrastructure for new opportunities. Cyndee Haydon, CRS PMN, CIPS , tied the discussion together by noting that commercial real estate is the foundation of residential growth, urging professionals to think politically and locally, wear their advocacy hats, and break down barriers between the two sectors for the good of the community.  

Winning with AI: Embrace Change and Leapfrog the Competition 
Cassie Kozyrkov – CEO, Former Google Chief Decision Scientist | AI & Strategy Adviser, Google 

Cassie Kozyrkov’s keynote demonstrated how organizations had navigated the challenges of entering the AI arena by applying the right strategies to gain a competitive edge. She outlined how leaders identified key opportunities, scaled solutions, and built cultures that embraced change. Attendees gained practical insights on assessing readiness, prioritizing high-impact projects, and overcoming technical and cultural barriers—equipping them to guide their teams through AI-driven transformations with confidence. 

Capital Markets Today: Trends, Tactics & Investor Sentiment 
Kim Liautaud - Segment Head of US Commercial Real Estate and Infrastructure, BMO Commercial 
Adam Palmer - 2026 Global President, The CCIM Institute 
Christian Beaudoin - Executive Director, JLL Work Dynamics 

Against the backdrop of shifting economic trends and evolving investor sentiment, this session offered a timely look at where capital markets stand today. The conversation began with the outlook on interest rates. While a Federal Reserve rate cut was widely expected, panelists noted it will not necessarily impact cap rates. Borrowers are focused on short-term strategies, holding off on locking in rates until the path forward is clearer. 

Retail emerged as a bright spot, with grocery-anchored centers and specialty product mixes attracting significant institutional capital. Pension funds and family offices are all active, creating competition between private and institutional investors. A wall of 10-year loan maturities is approaching, which is expected to generate new transaction activity in the months ahead. 

The Midwest was highlighted as one of the strongest regions for yield and stability, while medical real estate stood out as an asset class with lasting opportunity. Retail rents are climbing, and investor confidence has improved since the volatility of COVID-19. 

As for market indicators, business activity was identified as a key signal of capital flow, while the financial health of the consumer — especially credit use and leverage — will remain critical to watch. Overall, the tone was cautiously optimistic: opportunities exist, but success will depend on staying nimble and tracking both institutional trends and consumer behavior. 

Commercial Market Outlook: Economic Trends & Predictions 
Lawrence Yun - Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Research, NAR 
Bryan Reid - Executive Director of Real Assets Research & Development, MSCI 

The meeting discussed the Federal Reserve's press conference and its impact on the economy, particularly inflation and job market conditions. The Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hikes in the early 1980s and their current efforts to control inflation were highlighted. The commercial real estate market's challenges, including refinancing loans and the impact of rising interest rates, were examined. The discussion also covered the job market's current state, with record high employment but slower job additions. The potential for future interest rate cuts and their effects on commercial real estate and investment trends were analyzed, along with the impact of geopolitical uncertainties on foreign investment in the U.S. 

Policy & Progress: How Legislation is Reshaping Commercial Real Estate 
Jeffrey DeBoer - President and CEO, The Real Estate Roundtable 
Jef Conn - Industrial & Office Specialist, Coldwell Banker Commercial Capital Advisors 
Shannon McGahn - Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer, NAR 

During one of the most anticipated sessions, the conversation cut through Washington noise to spotlight the policies most directly shaping commercial real estate. The nation’s housing shortage was front and center, with panelists pointing to underbuilding, high costs, and regulatory hurdles as drivers of the crisis. One promising solution is office-to-residential conversions, which are gaining traction as federal and local policymakers look for ways to repurpose underused office space — an area where CCIM expertise adds real value. 

Insurance and risk management also emerged as pressing concerns, with premiums and property taxes outpacing principal and interest in some markets. Panelists noted the importance of extending the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program beyond 2027 to maintain investor confidence. 

On tax policy, the session highlighted significant wins: 1031 exchanges, Section 199A pass-through deductions, and carried interest rules remain intact, while proposed tax hikes that could have cost the industry trillions were successfully blocked. 

Energy and infrastructure were flagged as future pressure points, with data centers, AI, and electrification straining the grid. Access to federal infrastructure funds — and ensuring they reach projects on the ground — will be critical, as will protecting capital flows amid fragile market liquidity. 

For CCIMs, the takeaway is clear: policy decisions are actively reshaping deal structures, financing, and opportunities. Staying vigilant, advocating for the industry, and guiding clients through these shifts will be essential in the months ahead. 

Read more about this session in our Policy & Progress Overview blog.

When Retail and Office Markets Collide, STDB 
Ben Wilson - Director of Sales, CCIM Tech's Site To Do Business (STDB) 

At the C5 + CCIM Global Summit live theater, Ben Wilson from Site To Do Business (STDB) highlighted how the platform is helping brokers uncover opportunities beyond traditional retail applications. Using an example from North Texas, Wilson demonstrated how STDB’s demographic tools, segmentation data, and market analysis features can identify demand for small office condominiums near growing residential communities, an increasingly attractive alternative to downtown office space. By layering population growth trends, income profiles, and points-of-interest data, STDB empowers professionals to not only pinpoint the best locations for development but also to profile likely users such as doctors, attorneys, and financial planners. Wilson emphasized that while STDB is often thought of as a retail-focused platform, its versatility extends across office, industrial, multifamily, and more, making it a vital tool for strategic site selection in today’s shifting CRE landscape. 

AI-Powered CRE: How Technology Is Reshaping the Industry 
Christian Beaudoin - Executive Director, JLL Work Dynamics 
Arushi Ray - Co-Founder & COO, Forty5Park 
Camille Renshaw – CEO, B+E 
Emily Line - Senior Vice President of Strategic Engagement, Realtors Property Resource® (RPR) 

Attendees explored how AI and automation have reshaped the commercial real estate landscape. From predictive analytics to automated transactions, industry leaders demonstrated how these tools had been applied to improve decision-making and streamline operations. The session highlighted how early adopters gained measurable advantages in efficiency, accuracy, and market competitiveness. 

Until Next Year 
The CCIM Institute is grateful to NAR for their continued partnership and for hosting such a dynamic event that highlights the strength and innovation within the CRE industry. The C5 + CCIM Global Summit not only celebrates progress  but also provides the momentum to shape what’s next in commercial real estate.