About the Pre-WFA Real Estate Symposium

The Pre-WFA Real Estate Symposium brings together leading academics and industry experts to explore the intersection of real estate and finance. The symposium features both theoretical and empirical research on topics such as housing markets, mortgages, REITs, leasing, investment, and urban economics.

Held annually just before the Western Finance Association (WFA) Conference, the event serves as a premier forum for sharing new insights and fostering collaboration among scholars from top business schools around the world. The symposium is generously co-sponsored by universities globally and continues to advance the dialogue on key issues shaping real estate finance and economics today.

For more information email: [email protected]

2026 Summer Real Estate Research Symposium

Registration is now open!

We are pleased to announce that the 2026 Summer Real Estate Research Symposium will be held in Denver, Colorado, prior to the Western Finance Association (WFA) meeting.

Event Schedule & Venue
The symposium will be held June 20–21, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. The event is timed to lead directly into the Western Finance Association (WFA) meeting:

  • Saturday, June 20: Program begins with a reception and welcome dinner

  • Sunday, June 21: Session presentations, concluding in time for the WFA opening reception that evening

Registration & Logistics

  • Registration: There is no conference fee, and meals are provided. Register by June 10th at https://na.eventscloud.com/prewfa26 to confirm your attendance.

  • Attendance: We anticipate 30–40 attendees.

  • Lodging: Please book your accommodations through the WFA website, https://westernfinance.org/conference-2026/. WFA registration and lodging are now open; please book by May 29th for the discounted rate.

  • While this symposium is held in conjunction with the WFA, please note that it is a standalone event.

The program will include:

  • 4 full paper presentations, 45 minutes each — 25 min to present, 10 min for the discussant, 10 min for floor discussion

  • 6 works-in-progress, 20 minutes each — 15 min to present, 5 min for floor discussion (no discussant)

Submission & Program Details

The Symposium will continue its focus on the intersection of real estate and finance, broadly defined. Past conferences have featured both theoretical and empirical research across a wide range of topics, including housing, mortgages, REITs, leasing, investment, climate, transportation, and urban economics.

Additional Information
If you have any questions or require accessibility-related accommodations, please contact Amanda Hughes at [email protected]