The 35th annual Commercial Real Estate Summit, a landmark gathering of real estate agents, brokers, investors, and fellow stakeholders was held at the CHI Health Center in Downtown Omaha, Nebraska on August 23.  

Nearly 900 people gathered with a spirit of optimism and time to renew connections, network, and discuss business deals. Founder Jerry M. Slusky, Esq., co-chair Chris Mensinger and crew, with professional event management by “planit inc”, produced the Summit.

Slusky asserts that Nebraska has a strong commercial real estate environment and presence with great people, as “good as any (city, area, community) in the country. We teach one another - beautiful.”

The first conference drew around 100 participants, growing in stature during the last 35 years. Like rising new construction or renovation of office buildings created with steel beams and vision, this well-orchestrated event supports the backbone of industry professionals and affiliated professional specialties.

Spirited Conversations

Keynotes and breakouts were designed to showcase trends and highlight collaborative projects dotting the greater Omaha metropolitan area and Nebraska’s landscape. Representatives from UNMC and Mutual of Omaha were on stage to share their vision for upcoming company projects including the new Mutual headquarters building under construction in downtown Omaha.  Artificial intelligence and adaptive use projects (repurposed buildings) were hot presentation topics.

A breakout focused on collaborative developments in North and South Omaha led to detailed discussions by C’esar A. Garcia (Canopy South), Carmen Tapio (North End Teleservices, LLC), and Jacquelyn Morrison (City of Omaha).  The panel's overarching theme was developing new jobs, revitalizing areas, beautification, and eliminating barriers to employment. 

Partnerships in development projects were dovetailed throughout the Summit, a hallmark of Nebraska’s commercial real estate industry.

Continuing Education Credits Awarded

Summit participants were eligible to earn up to six education credits by checking in before the opening and closing general sessions, and attending one morning and an afternoon breakout.  

Every two years, real estate professionals are required to earn 18 credits to maintain their licensure under the Nebraska Real Estate License Law Act. Melissa Belcastro, Deputy Director for Education with the Nebraska Real Estate Commission, attended for the first time.

Belcastro said, “I help maintain education programs and facilitate the development and promotion of education programming that helps protect the public interest of Nebraska residents and improve the competency of the Nebraska real estate licensees.” 

The Commission maintains records for pre-license required courses prior to eligibility for taking the real estate exam. Licensure of real estate professionals is one aspect of this government body’s mission.

Belcastro clarified that while the Commission does not sponsor or endorse this or other events, the application for granting continuing education credits was approved with the idea that the Nebraska real estate industry will be strengthened.

She said, “It’s in the best interest of the public for our work that needs to be a win - win in accepting continuing education credit proposals. My time was well spent at the Summit.”

The 35th annual CRE Summit is a completed real estate deal with planning underway for the 2025 event.

As a first time participant,  I found the energy in the room palpable within crowded rooms of industry professionals eager to collaborate and share information for the betterment of Nebraska’s commercial real estate economy.