Inductee Ceremony Draws Broad Support from Commercial Real Estate Community

BISWIRE/Sept. 28, 2026 — The Greater Philadelphia Real & Estate Hall of Fame will induct its second cohort of honorees next month, recognizing four industry leaders whose vision, accomplishments and community commitment have made an enduring impact across Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley and South Jersey.

The Philadelphia commercial real estate and business community has embraced this event with tremendous enthusiasm. Thanks to 30 corporate and individual sponsors, the Greater Philadelphia Real Estate Halli of Fame is on track to generate meaningful support for four charities selected by the inductees.

The 2026 class follows the Hall of Fame's inaugural cohort, inducted in fall 2024, and continues the organization's mission to celebrate exceptional achievement and service in commercial real estate. This year's honorees will be formally recognized during an induction ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at Philadelphia Country Club in Gladwyne, Pa. At that time, the final amount that will be donated to the charities will be revealed.

"In just two years, the Greater Philadelphia Real Estate Hall of Fame has become a meaningful way for our industry to celebrate the leaders whose work has strengthened communities and shaped the region for generations," said Jim Petrucci, Board Member of the Greater Philadelphia Real Estate Hall of Fame and President of J.G. Petrucci Company, Inc. "This second class reflects the vision, integrity and civic commitment that define lasting leadership in commercial real estate."

The 2026 inductees are:

• Willard G. "Bill" Rouse Ill, founder of Rouse & Associates and Liberty Property Trust (posthumous honor)
  
• Marc B. Kaplin, founding principal of Kaplin Stewart
  
• Lehigh Valley Industrial Park (LVIP)
  
• Gerry H. "Jerry" Sweeney, president and CEO of Brandywine Realty Trust

"These honorees have each changed the trajectory of Greater Philadelphia real estate through landmark development, trusted counsel, sustained economic investment and civic leadership," said Trish Michell, Board Member of the Greater Philadelphia Real Estate Hall of Fame and Director of Business Development at L.F Driscoll. "I have seen firsthand that their influence extends beyond the places they helped create to the opportunities, organizations and next generation of leaders they have supported."

As part of the program, each inductee will designate a charitable organization to receive a donation in their honor, reinforcing the Hall of Fame's commitment to philanthropy and community impact.

The 2026 charities are:

• Cobb's Creek Foundation
  
• Project HOME
  
• Children's Crisis Treatment Center
  
• Via of the Lehigh Valley

The celebratory Hall of Fame dinner and official induction ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at Philadelphia Country Club in Gladwyne. Individual ticket sales open Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. Go to www.qphillyhof.org for tickets, inductee, event and sponsorship information.

About the Greater Philadelphia Real Estate Hall of Fame

Established in 2024 as a 501(c)(3) organization, the Greater Philadelphia Real Estate Hall of Fame annually recognizes individuals and organizations whose professional achievements and community involvement have made a lasting contribution to the advancement of the Greater Philadelphia region. Induction is reserved for those whose careers reflect exceptional leadership, enduring impact and service to the industry and community.

Contact:

Media: Jim Petrucci, 908-730-6909,  gphillyhof@gmail.com

Greater Philadelphia Real Estate Hall of Fame

Sponsorships: Shannon McCorison, 303-882-12511, shannon@smccorisonconsulting.com