Trends & Strategies Conference
Feb. 25-26, 2027 | Waldorf Astoria Orlando | Orlando
Network and learn about the future of real estate
The Real Estate Trends & Strategies Conference, hosted by the Kelley A. Bergstrom Real Estate Center at the Warrington College of Business, brings together professionals for networking and discussion of real estate trends.
Commercial and residential real estate investors, real estate brokers, real estate appraisers, attorneys, architects, builders, developers and other real estate industry-related professionals benefit from the education and networking opportunities.
Every year, industry professionals discuss the future of real estate and network with the best in the industry at the Trends & Strategies Conference hosted by the Bergstrom Real Estate Center. The Center also supports the Nathan S. Collier Master of Real Estate Science program at the University of Florida, which is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a Top 5 public university.
What
UF Trends and Strategies Conference
When
Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26
Where
Waldorf Astoria Orlando, 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, Orlando, FL 32821
Trends registration
Tickets for the Trends and Strategies Conference often sell out. Don’t wait to secure your seat and book your hotel room at the conference rate.
Early bird pricing is $450 until December 19. After that date, it is $500. If you have questions about your registration, please email Nikki Wagner or call 352-273-0312.
Conference location
The conference is held at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. The Waldorf offers valet parking for an additional fee, or you can pay to self-park at the Hilton next door.
We have a room block available at our host hotel, the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, until January 20, 2027 or until it sells out. The rate is $479 per night plus a mandatory resort fee of $30 and taxes.
Media passes
The Bergstrom Center welcomes members of the media to attend the conference. Complimentary media pass requests should include:
Full Name
Job Title
Company/Organization Name
Mailing Address
Email Address
Phone Number
Trends & Strategies Conference
Every year we host speakers who are experts in their field, offer a different perspective or who spot new trends. Past speakers include Hessam Nadji, Brian Kilmeade, Emmitt Smith, Dr. Jean Twenge, Jeffrey DiModica, Raphael Bostic and Spencer Levy.
This year’s agenda is being planned by our committee. Below is last year’s agenda as a reference for the caliber presenters the conference attracts.
Agenda 2026
Thursday, February 26, 2026
All sessions held at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, Grand Ballroom
12:30pm-1:15pm – Networking Lunch
1:15pm-1:45pm – Conference Welcome
1:45pm-2:30pm – The Economic Outlook: Under Unprecedented Uncertainty
Mark Zandi, Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics
2:30pm-3:30pm – Survive or Thrive: In the Mix for 2026
Moderated by Aaron Wessner, Managing Director-Head of Capital Markets, Cantor Fitzgerald
- Joe Biasi, Head of Commercial Capital Markets Research, Newmark
- Jessica Harrison, Head of Transactions and Capital Markets, North America Real Estate Equity, Manulife Investment Management
- Schecky Schechner, Vice Chairman, Real Estate Banking, Barclays
3:30pm-4:00pm – Break
4:00pm-5:00pm – State of the US Housing Market
Chris Porter, Senior Vice President, John Burns Research and Consulting
5:00pm-5:45pm – Paper Soldiers: How the Weaponization of the Dollar Changed the World Order
Saleha Mohsin, Senior Washington correspondent, Bloomberg News
5:45pm-7:00pm – Outside Networking Reception – Promenade
Friday, February 27 2026
All sessions held in Grand Ballroom
8:00am-9:00am – Networking Breakfast
9:00am – Morning Welcome
9:15am-10:00 am – Delivering a World Class Fan Experience to Tampa Bay
Ken Babby, CEO, Tampa Bay Rays
10:00am-10:45am – The Transformative Power of Generative AI
Sheri Cunningham, Head of AI Platform & Infrastructure Services at Google Cloud
Become a sponsor
We need committed support from sponsors like you to further our mission at the Bergstrom Real Estate Center. The Center provides opportunities for students to connect with industry leaders, and our conference also attracts powerful networking connections and program supporters. Past sponsors have included JLL, CBRE, Cantor, MetLife, Blackstone, Wells Fargo, Regency Centers, and other high-profile companies.
| Benefit | Producer ($50,000) | Presenting ($25,000) | Platinum ($20,000) | Reception ($15,000) | Gold ($10,000) | Silver ($7,500) | Bronze ($5,000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All presenting benefits, plus customized amenities that could include private dining, reception, golf or other hotel amenities* | |||||||
| Complimentary registration | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Recognition in Due Diligence magazine | |||||||
| Categorial recognition on Center website, banner and printed program | Company logo | Company logo | Company logo | Company logo | Company logo | Company logo | Company name |
| Custom ad in printed program for Trends | |||||||
| Full-color logo on e-marketing material | |||||||
| Social media “shout out” thanking company for sponsorship | |||||||
| Center-selected amenity sent to lead contact | |||||||
| At least 2 easel signs with full color company logo on display at reception | |||||||
| Recognition from podium during the conference | |||||||
| Invitation for company representative to attend Chairman’s Circle dinner on Thursday night of conference | 2 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| Brief speaking opportunity from podium |
2026 sponsors
Presenting sponsors
Platinum sponsors
Reception sponsors
Gold sponsors
Silver sponsors
Bronze sponsors
- ARCO Murray Construction Company
- Baker Tilly
- Bank of America
- Barron Collier Investment Partners
- Dean Mead Law Firm
- DeAngelis Diamond Construction
- Epoch Residential
- The Ferber Company
- First Horizon
- Halstatt
- Hancock Whitney Bank
- Holland & Knight LLP
- Insurance Office of America
- KAST Construction Company
- Kimley-Horn
- LeCesse Development Corp
- Lowndes
- Pebb Enterprises
- Pinnacle Financial Partners
- RAM Realty
- Regions Bank
- Renasant Bank
- Seyfarth
- Shutts & Bowen LLP
- SRS Real Estate Partners
- Stiles
- United Community
- Valley National Bank
- Wells Fargo
- Weyerhaeuser
ReConnect alumni event
What is ReConnect?
ReConnect is a networking event for current Bergstrom Real Estate Center advisory board members and Nathan S. Collier Master of Science in Real Estate alumni. This event is generously presented by the Collier Companies. Join fellow classmates, faculty, staff and current Center Advisory Board Members for heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks. It’s a great time to ReConnect!
When and where is ReConnect?
Wednesday, February 24, 2027
Waldorf Astoria Clubhouse
14224 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane
Orlando, FL 32821
7-9 pm
If you plan to attend both ReConnect and the Trends Conference, you will need to reserve a hotel room for both Wednesday and Thursday night.
Contact us
Nikki Wagner
Kelley A. Bergstrom Real Estate Center
Warrington College of Business
P.O. Box 117168
Gainesville, Florida 32611-7168