Bisnow Multifamily Annual Conference Midwest

Your one stop shop for all things Midwest residential: Operations, development, acquisition, amenities, and more

Coming in August 2026

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The seminal multifamily event of the Midwest, Bisnow’s annual look at everything from development and investment to operations and innovation welcomes leaders across the industry for a full-day discussion on the region’s leading asset class. We’ll hear from top developers, owners, investors, operators and more on how they’re navigating today’s evolving capital markets environment while continuing to deliver housing across Chicago and its surrounding regions. The conversation will explore key trends shaping multifamily in 2026 — from supply and demand dynamics to affordability pressures — through the lens of the Midwest’s unique demographic, economic and development landscape.

What We'll Cover:

Development and Operations
How developers are approaching new multifamily projects amid elevated construction costs, insurance pressures and shifting underwriting assumptions.
Affordable Housing
The policies, partnerships and financing strategies helping expand access to affordable housing across Chicago and the broader Midwest.
Investment and Financing
Where capital is flowing in today’s multifamily market, how lenders and investors are evaluating deals and what financing structures are helping projects move forward.
Property Management and Operations
How owners and operators are adapting to rising operating costs while delivering the amenities, services and experiences residents expect.
State of the Multifamily Market
How Chicago and Midwest multifamily markets compare nationally as new supply delivers, rent growth stabilizes and demand continues to evolve.

Who You'll Meet:

Multifamily owners, developers, investors, operators, brokers, business consultants, architects, engineers, designers, lawyers, accountants, bankers, city and government officials and more.

About Bisnow:

Bisnow events convene the biggest power players in the industry to help you grow your business across a complex market. With engaging discussions, exclusive networking opportunities and the largest and most informed audience in the field, Bisnow’s unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of the market makes attendance a value add for any CRE professional.

Agenda

Time	Activity
8:00 AM 9:00 AM	Breakfast and Networking
9:00 AM 9:45 AM	Chicago Multifamily 2026: Supply, Demand & the Next Phase of the Cycle After several years of record deliveries and rising interest rates, the Chicago multifamily market is entering a new phase. How is the wave of new supply being absorbed? What do rent growth, occupancy trends and migration patterns signal about demand moving forward? And how does Chicago compare to other major U.S. markets as investors evaluate where to place capital?
9:45 AM 10:30 AM	Building What Still Pencils: Development, Design & Construction Strategies With construction costs, insurance premiums and financing still challenging new projects, developers are taking a more selective approach to what gets built. Which product types, locations and design strategies are still viable in today’s environment? How are developers controlling costs while delivering the amenities and experiences renters expect?
10:30 AM 10:45 AM	Networking Break
10:45 AM 11:30 AM	What Does the Modern Renter Want? Amenities, Technology & the Resident Experience Today’s renters are in search of something beyond an apartment; they’re looking for lifestyle, convenience and flexibility. With this in mind, how are owners and operators evolving property management strategies, technology platforms and amenity offerings to attract and retain residents while managing operating costs?
11:30 AM 12:15 PM	Where the Money Is Moving: Capital Markets, Debt & Investment Strategy The multifamily capital stack has evolved significantly over the past two years. Where are lenders and equity partners deploying capital today? What deal structures are emerging to close the financing gap? And how are investors underwriting acquisitions and development as interest rates stabilize?
12:15 PM 1:15 PM	Lunch
1:15 PM 2:00 PM	Solving the Housing Gap: Affordable Housing, Policy & Public-Private Partnerships Chicago continues to grapple with housing affordability challenges as demand grows and development costs remain elevated. What policies, incentives and partnerships are helping bring affordable projects to life? How can developers, investors and government agencies work together to expand housing access across the region?
2:00 PM 3:00 PM	Leadership Lookout: The Future of Chicago Multifamily Senior industry leaders reflect on the day’s insights and share their outlook for the next phase of the market. What will drive the next wave of development? How will capital flows evolve? And what should developers, investors and operators be preparing for in the years ahead?
3:00 PM 4:00 PM	Closing Networking