The Florida State University (FSU) Real Estate TRENDS Conference recently brought together about 550 attendees, including students and industry leaders, to discuss current issues and developments in the real estate sector. The event, hosted by the FSU College of Business and the FSU Real Estate Center, featured keynote speaker Mike Gilbane, managing director at Related Fund Management for Related Companies.
Gilbane commended the conference organizers for their work with students. “It’s really inspiring to see what you’re doing with the students; what they’re being exposed to,” he said. “The network you have developed here, I think, is truly unbelievable. It’s inspiring, and I have no doubt it’s going to contribute incredibly to the industry over time.”
Now in its 31st year, TRENDS included discussions on global investor trends, capital markets insights, and how Florida’s aerospace infrastructure affects real estate development. Panelists from both industry and state government contributed their perspectives during these sessions.
Michael Hartline, dean of the FSU College of Business, addressed participants along with Yvonne Baker from the FSU Real Estate Center. Ben Macfarland, an alumnus of FSU’s real estate program and CEO of SROA Capital in West Palm Beach, chaired a panel on global investment trends.
Students from FSU joined peers from Florida A&M University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison—whose real estate program is ranked first nationally—in a case competition that encouraged practical application of classroom knowledge. Students also participated in a career fair featuring representatives from major companies.
Adriana Gjergji, an FSU senior who was part of the winning team in the case competition said: “It was fun to apply what we’ve learned in the classroom to a real-world situation.” She added: “This was my second year attending the TRENDS Conference…it was great to hear from industry professionals about their experiences and get their insight on markets, assets, growth and the industry as a whole.”
Greenberg Traurig—a sponsor—recognized the event on X (formerly Twitter), stating it offered “great insights and energy” while congratulating organizers for bringing together students and experts “to discuss the forces transforming real estate today.”
A session focusing on Florida’s aerospace sector highlighted its impact on economic development. Chase Foster from FSU InSPIRE described efforts to foster collaboration within aviation and aerospace industries through research facilities targeting advanced manufacturing and wind-tunnel testing capabilities.
Julia Black from Space Florida outlined key elements of state space transportation infrastructure—including seaports—and referenced partnerships with companies such as Amazon, Blue Origin, SpaceX and Northrop Grumman.
Eileen Vélez Vega of Kimley-Horn moderated this panel saying: “The significance of the aerospace industry in Florida cannot be overstated…These facilities are not only launching rockets into space but also propelling the state’s economy forward.”
In his keynote address about Hudson Yards—the largest private real estate project in U.S. history—Gilbane discussed how public-private partnerships enabled redevelopment after New York City lost its bid for the 2012 Olympics but maintained plans for subway expansion.
Gilbane explained that securing land at fixed value can help de-risk large projects: “Such projects require knowing more than real estate,” said Michael T. Fishman of Greenberg Traurig during moderation duties. “It’s knowing politicians…putting [projects] together as long-term [ventures] that typically outlast economic cycles.”
Fishman continued: “This is truly building a city in the city.”
Gilbane noted strengths such as Related Companies’ $70 billion portfolio focused mainly on affordable housing; long-term ownership philosophy; use of durable materials; personalized customer service; and control over all aspects—from construction to management—which helps mitigate risks inherent to large-scale developments.
He told attendees: “There’s more risk that you can’t control in development than there is risk that you can (control), whether that’s economic cycles or interest rates…We think if we can control the full supply chain we’re going to be able to manage our destiny much better than others.”
