10 trends industry leaders will de discussing at the Calgary Real Estate Forum

Calgary Real Estate Forum at a glance

• Who: Senior commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, lenders, asset managers, occupiers, policymakers, economists, and industry advisors operating across Calgary, Alberta, and Western Canada.
• What: A full-day forum examining economic conditions, energy markets, population growth, downtown revitalization, office performance, industrial expansion, capital markets, data centers, and transit-oriented development.
• Where: BMO Centre Expansion, Stampede Grounds
• When: Thursday, October 22, 2026

What is the purpose of the Calgary Real Estate Forum 2026?

The forum provides strategic insight into the economic, demographic, and investment trends shaping commercial real estate across Calgary and Alberta through 2026 and beyond. It brings together industry leaders to assess market risks, identify growth opportunities, and evaluate the sectors driving the next phase of regional development.

What are the key topics covered?

1. Economic outlook and market fundamentals

The agenda begins with an assessment of Alberta's and Canada's economic trajectory, including employment, inflation, interest rates, housing affordability, immigration, and evolving policy decisions impacting commercial real estate investment and development.

2. Energy markets and economic growth

Calgary's economy remains closely linked to the performance of the oil and gas sector. Industry experts will examine commodity pricing, geopolitical volatility, exploration activity, and Alberta's long-term growth potential within global energy markets.

3. Population growth and demographic change

Sessions explore how Alberta's rapid population growth is influencing housing demand, retail expansion, workforce availability, and broader commercial real estate requirements. Attendees will gain insight into how migration trends are reshaping market demand.

4. Downtown revitalization and office conversions

The forum reviews Calgary's nationally recognized office-to-residential conversion program, including lessons learned, development outcomes, housing creation, and the impact of incentive programs on downtown renewal.

5. Data centers and energy infrastructure

A dedicated discussion examines the growing relationship between data center development, energy infrastructure, and commercial real estate investment, assessing Alberta's role in supporting future digital infrastructure growth.

6. Municipal leadership and city-building

A featured conversation with Jeromy Farkas, Mayor of The City of Calgary, explores strategies for attracting investment, supporting commercial expansion, and planning for a city approaching two million residents.

7. Office market dynamics

Industry leaders will evaluate Calgary's increasingly divergent office market, including downtown vacancy challenges, suburban market resilience, tenant demand, leasing strategies, and the impact of ongoing conversions.

8. Industrial real estate and logistics

Sessions examine Calgary's evolution as an inland port, analyzing supply chain advantages, industrial demand, speculative development, transportation infrastructure, and occupancy trends.

9. Capital markets and investment structures

Investment professionals will discuss transaction activity, valuation trends, capital deployment, and deal structures including joint ventures (JV), GP/LP partnerships, and co-development arrangements across asset classes.

10. Transit-oriented development

The agenda concludes with a review of Calgary's Transit-Oriented Communities (TOCs) strategy, including opportunities created by the Green Line LRT, transit infrastructure investment, density planning, and mixed-use development.

Why is this forum important for commercial real estate professionals?

Access to market intelligence

Attendees receive current analysis on the economic indicators, demographic forces, and investment trends most likely to influence commercial real estate performance through 2027.

Investment and capital deployment insights

The forum provides practical guidance on acquisition opportunities, valuation trends, capital structures, and market conditions across office, industrial, residential, and mixed-use sectors.

Understanding Alberta's growth story

With Alberta continuing to attract residents and businesses, the conference offers valuable insight into how population growth, energy investment, and infrastructure expansion are supporting long-term market demand.

Urban development and policy intelligence

Participants gain firsthand perspectives from municipal leaders, planners, and developers on downtown revitalization, infrastructure investment, housing initiatives, and future development priorities.

Emerging opportunities

The agenda explores high-growth areas including data centers, industrial logistics, transit-oriented communities, and adaptive reuse projects that are attracting increasing investor attention.

Networking with senior decision-makers

The event brings together executives, owners, investors, lenders, occupiers, public-sector leaders, and advisors who are actively shaping Calgary's commercial real estate market.

Who are the key participants?

Economists and market experts

• Andrew Grantham, CIBC Capital Markets
• Jeremy McCrea, BMO Capital Markets
• Todd Hirsch, Economist, Author and Speaker

Government and civic leadership

• Jeromy Farkas, Mayor, The City of Calgary
• Deborah Yedlin, Calgary Chamber of Commerce
• Thom Mahler, The City of Calgary

Developers, owners and investors

• Rob Blackwell, Aspen Properties
• Sarah Itani, Cidex Group of Companies
• Maxim Olshevsky, Astra Group & Peoplefirst Developments
• Taylor Brown, Salthill Capital
• Kendal Harazny, Wexford Developments

Commercial real estate advisors

• Damien Mills, JLL
• Richie Bhamra, CBRE Limited
• Paul Marsden, Colliers

Energy and infrastructure leaders

• Gillian Barnett, AESO
• Vlad Oujegov, Western Canada Data Centre Alliance
• Andrew Plaunt, Kineticor

The Calgary Real Estate Forum 2026 delivers a comprehensive view of the forces shaping one of Canada's fastest-growing commercial real estate markets. From economic forecasting and energy investment to office repositioning, industrial expansion, data center development, and transit-oriented growth, attendees gain the market intelligence and strategic relationships needed to position portfolios for long-term success in Calgary and Alberta