Discussion Topics: 

• 2025 in Review: A look back at the leasing, financing and sales activities in the New York City Office Market 
• Looking Ahead to 2026: Key drivers powering office recovery and the challenges that still lie ahead 
• Beyond NYC: Other bright spots in the U.S. office sector and why those markets stand out
• What Makes a Winner: What attributes continue to attract tenants, talent, investors and lenders to these recovering markets?

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Networking Break
11:15am - 11:35am

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The NYC Multifamily Squeeze: Managing Opportunities
11:35am - 12:25pm

Moderator:
Keith Brandofino, Partner, Holland & Knight LLP

Panelists: 
Michael Jaffa, Chief Operating Officer, Jack Jaffa & Associates
DJ Johnston, Executive Vice President, Matthews
Andrew Kane, Managing Director, Asset Management, The Brooksville Company
Ariel Levin, Senior Vice President, Head of Servicing Operations, CWCapital

Discussion Topics: 

• Building Wealth in Uncertain Times: Is NYC multifamily real estate still your best bet for long-term wealth creation, or has the game fundamentally changed?
• The New Rules of Lending: How have underwriting standards evolved over the past five years, and what does this mean for your next deal?
• Risk Assessment in Today's Market: What hidden dangers are lurking in multifamily lending in the Tri-State area, and how can you protect your investments?
• Regulatory Reality Check: From NYC rent regulations to policy shifts across major markets – how are new laws reshaping multifamily opportunities?
• Distressed Debt Dilemmas: What lenders wish borrowers knew about navigating troubled multifamily loans in today's environment
  
• Silver Linings in Market Turbulence: Finding opportunity – insights on the deals being made now

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Networking Lunch
12:25pm - 1:25pm

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Heads in Beds, Stress in the Stack: Hospitality Deep Dive
1:30pm - 2:20pm

Moderator: 
Mark Fisher, Managing Director, Hotels and Hospitality Group, Jones Lang LaSalle

Panelists: 
Daniel Berry, Managing Director, BDT & MSD Partners
Jeff Kolessar, Chief Development Officer, GF Hotels & Resorts
Michelle O'Brien, Managing Director, Structured Finance, Access Point Financial Inc.
Evan Weiss, Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer, Principal, LW Hospitality Advisors

Discussion Topics:

• Distressed Hotel Deal Flow Slowdown: Why distressed hotel transactions have remained limited over the past 12-24 months despite broader market pressures
• Catalysts for Institutional Liquidation: Asset-level fundamentals, macroeconomic headwinds, and hotel-specific market dynamics that will compel institutional investors to exit positions in the next 6-12 months
• Credit Retrenchment and “Forced” Outcomes: Key factors driving lenders to withdraw credit and force a sale or refinance
• Geographic Investment Strategies: Where are owners and lenders concentrating efforts and which markets are they avoiding entirely?
• Capital Allocation Outlook for 2026: Investment appetite and capital deployment strategies for the hotel sector in the year ahead

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Networking Break
2:20pm - 2:40pm

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Beyond the Box: Servicing Complex and Emerging CRE Assets (Closed to Media)
2:40pm - 3:30pm

Moderator:
Katie Schwarting, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Panelists: 
Melissa Che, Senior Director, North America CMBS, Fitch Ratings
William A. Clarkson, Managing Partner, Special Servicing and Workout Services, Torchlight Investors
David Harrison, Chief Operating Officer, Midland Loan Services
Roderick Kemp, Head of Securities Portfolio Analytics, K-Star Asset Management LLC
Todd Reynolds, Senior Vice President, KeyBank Real Estate Capital

As commercial real estate evolves, so do the demands on servicers. This panel explores the operational, analytical, and strategic challenges of managing non-traditional and emerging asset classes — from CRE CLOs and data centers to life sciences and geopolitically sensitive developments. Panelists will examine how servicing teams are adapting to new risks, technologies, and investor expectations while balancing cost, compliance, and complexity. This session will offer a 360° view of what it takes to service the next generation of CRE assets, including:

• CRE CLOs
  
• Data centers
  
• Analyzing financials
  
• Life sciences
  
• Geopolitical concerns – new construction, supply chain, tariffs, labor cost, availability
  
• Challenges of implementing technology (cost, resources)

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Networking Break
3:30pm - 3:50pm

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Reimagining Urban Real Estate: One-on-One with GFP's Brian Steinwurtzel (Closed to Media)
3:50pm - 4:40pm

Moderator: 
Max Altman, Principal, BDT & MSD Partners

Featured Speaker: 
Brian R. Steinwurtzel, Co-CEO and Principal, GFP Real Estate

Discussion Topics:

• How We Got Here: The structural shifts in the office market that preceded the wave of residential conversions, including changing tenant preferences and capital market dislocations.
• The Office Market Today: An assessment of current office fundamentals, the bifurcation between high-quality and older assets, and where renewed leasing momentum and compelling risk-adjusted opportunities exist.
• Evolution of Residential Conversions: How office-to-residential conversions have evolved from a niche strategy to a more institutional investment thesis, including which building characteristics, locations, and regulatory frameworks are driving viable outcomes.
• Where the Opportunity Is Now: GFP’s current focus across residential conversions and select office investments, highlighting the types of assets, neighborhoods, and deal structures that are most attractive.
• Looking Ahead: Key trends shaping the next phase of urban real estate, including the future of office demand, the scalability of residential conversions, and what investors should be watching as cities continue to adapt.

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Networking Reception
4:40pm - 5:30pm
The program is in the process of being coordinated and is subject to change. To review CREFC’s Speaker and Panel Participation Policy, click here.