I recently had the pleasure of attending RETCON (as their hosted media guest). For those who might not know, RETCON is one of the industry’s leading real estate innovation conferences, which unites together some of the country’s top owners, operators, developers, investors, media, PropTech startups, and technology & service providers together.
From topic tables, to workshop demos, to keynote sessions, to exihibit hall networking, to industry meet ups, this year’s event, held at the MGM hotel in Las Vegas, didn’t disappoint. Among the key highlights were Andrew Segal, Chairman & CEO of Boxer Property, who noted that adopting AI is no longer optional in today’s market. “It’s like saying, ‘I’m not going to use computers in real estate.’ That just isn’t an option anymore,” he said.
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In that same panel, panelist John Carlson, CEO of Mark-Taylor, Inc., also talked about the significant investment being made in AI across the global real estate landscape. “The biggest players are making transformative investments in AI. We’ve always been a bit behind the curve, and we really need to shift our mindset to adapt to a world that’s changing rapidly,” Carlson said.
In another session, Lance French, Chief Information Officer at RealPage, highlighted the transformative power of AI in real estate, noting that autonomous systems not only enhance property values with precision but also elevate tenant experiences by anticipating needs and proactively resolving issues. French emphasized that scaling AI requires a different mindset, focusing on securely extracting value, protecting privacy, and being well-governed, given AI's rapid evolution.
Attending in-person events like RETCON, which attracted around 2,000-plus attendees, truly shows the magnitude of AI’s role in the future of real estate. Conversations throughout the conference reflected a universal truth: AI is no longer a luxury or a future trend—it’s a necessity.
From panelists to attendees, the consensus was clear. Companies that hesitate to embrace AI risk falling behind, as the industry continues to evolve. The potential of AI in real estate is undeniable, whether it’s driving operational efficiency, enhancing tenant experiences, or empowering businesses to make data-driven decisions.
These face-to-face interactions at RETCON served as a reminder of the importance of staying connected, learning firsthand from industry leaders, and being at the forefront of technological advancements. Hope to see you at the next one!
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
