2026 NOMAR CID Forecast Symposium to highlight new investments, emerging industries and growth opportunities
8/30/26, 12:00 PM
The New Orleans region is in a period of significant change, with new investments, large developments and emerging industries creating opportunities throughout the economy. This fall, business and community leaders will gather to examine that progress, the challenges that remain and what the future of the region could look like.
The New Orleans region is in a period of significant change, with new investments, large developments and emerging industries creating opportunities throughout the economy. This fall, business and community leaders will gather to examine that progress, the challenges that remain and what the future of the region could look like.
BY AMANDA MCELFRESH - Times-Picayune/nola.com
The New Orleans region is in a period of significant change, with new investments, large developments and emerging industries creating opportunities throughout the economy. This fall, business and community leaders will gather to examine that progress, the challenges that remain and what the future of the region could look like.
The 16th Annual Economic and Real Estate Forecast Symposium, hosted by the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of REALTORS® (NOMAR) and its Commercial Investment Division in partnership with Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company, will take place Thursday, Oct. 8 at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center. Early bird tickets will be available for $75 from Sunday, Aug. 30 through Wednesday, Sept. 9. Regular-price tickets will be available for $90 beginning on Thursday, Sept. 10, through the date of the event. Half-day tickets are available for $65. All tickets are available at www.nolaforecast.org.
The theme of the 2026 Forecast Symposium is “Building Market Momentum and Opportunity.” Cameron Lombardo, CCIM, senior sales associate with REMAX Commercial Brokers, Inc. and chairman of the 2026 Forecast Committee, said the event will build on last year’s themes of a new economy and major investments.
“We are seeing a lot of bright spots across the region – quality of life gains, new investment and development, which is leading to new potential across sectors,” Lombardo said. “At the same time, there are still challenges when it comes to affordability and high costs of everything from construction to insurance. I think Forecast Symposium attendees will walk away with more knowledge about how to navigate those challenges and take advantage of opportunities.”
This year’s keynote speaker will be Terry Watson, who will discuss artificial intelligence and how individuals and organizations can adapt to new technologies, processes and expectations.
“The goal of the Forecast Symposium is always to give attendees a comprehensive picture of the market nationally, regionally and locally,” Lombardo said. “This year, the speakers and conversations will revolve around the economic forces influencing both residential and commercial real estate. We always like to look ahead, so there will also be discussion about how technology continues to change the way we do business and how the regional economy continues to evolve.”
Lombardo said the Forecast Symposium has continually proven valuable not only for those who work in real estate, but also for professionals from economic development, government, healthcare, education, finance, law, architecture, construction and more.
“The event is for anybody who is interested in hearing about how the region is growing and the role they can play in that,” he said. “The most frequent feedback we get is that people appreciate getting so much information in one place. They leave the event with a better understanding of the forces shaping the market and what those forces mean for businesses. There’s also tremendous value in networking. People are able to talk one-on-one with high-level speakers as well as other local professionals.”
The 2026 Forecast Symposium comes at a time when several real estate indicators are moving in a positive direction. Lombardo said residential sales in the region during the first half of 2026 were ahead of 2025, with strong numbers of pending sales and tightening inventory. On the commercial side, investments in industries such as technology, logistics, life sciences and infrastructure are beginning to help New Orleans become a leader in those sectors, while also driving more real estate demand.
Significant development is also happening beyond the core of New Orleans, including in Jefferson Parish, the Northshore, the River Parishes and the Westbank. Lombardo said this activity is expected to drive increased demand for single-family homes, multifamily residences, mixed-use developments and more.
“This year’s event is the perfect chance for local real estate professionals to better understand how all of those pieces connect and translate into demand for properties, as well as learn more about the tools and resources that can help them do business in a modern world,” Lombardo said.
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