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**130th REBNY Annual: CRE Leaders Talk Tailwinds and Headwinds in 2026**
The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) hosted its 130th Annual Banquet earlier this month at the Waldorf Astoria New York. During the event, Connect CRE engaged with prominent industry leaders to discuss expectations for the commercial real estate sector in 2026. Building on themes from earlier conversations, leaders weighed in on whether the positive momentum from 2025 would extend into the new year—and which market sectors might see the greatest impact.
In a featured discussion, leaders in real estate expressed a mix of optimism and caution. Sam Chandan, Founding Director of the NYU Stern Chao-Hon Chen Institute for Global Real Estate Finance, pointed out some of the macroeconomic headwinds confronting the industry at both the local and national levels.
Jay Neveloff, Partner at Kramer Levin, struck a more upbeat note during his conversation with Connect CRE, saying, “The momentum is going to double or triple. I think the momentum is going to take us into ’26.” He emphasized the importance of partnership with the public sector, expressing hope that developers of affordable housing won’t be left to carry the responsibility alone under the incoming mayoral administration.
Additional insights were shared by a wide range of notable figures from the industry, including:
– Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive
– Jason Haber, Agent at Compass and Co-founder of the American Real Estate Association
– David Falk, President, Tri-State Region, Newmark
– Kelly Mack, President, Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group
– Amy Rose, CEO, Rose Associates
– Mark Ehrlich, President, Rose Associates
– Bob Knakal, Chairman and CEO, BKREA
– Hal Fetner, Chairman, Fetner Properties
– Alexander Durst, Chief Development Officer, The Durst Organization
– Christine Quinn, President and CEO, Women in Need
These voices from across the industry reflect a nuanced outlook: while there is an overall sense of forward motion and opportunity in the year ahead, challenges remain that will require strategic solutions and collaboration between the public and private sectors.
For a deeper look into these conversations, tune into the full video coverage of the event.
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