The Next Wave of Opportunity Zones

Thu Jul 30, 2026

Buy Tickets Attendees

The Next Wave of Opportunity Zones

As opportunity zone 1.0 wraps up and new zones are being designated for 2.0, discover how QOZs shaped the CRE market and what opportunities the next phase will bring

Thursday July 30 2026 @ 12:00 PM EDT

$35.00

Get Tickets and Info Attendee List Get Tickets and Info Become A Speaker

Registration Questions?

Speakers and Panels

Jill Homan

President, Javelin 19 Investments

Rick Firmine

Partner, Argosy Real Estate Partners

Craig Bernstein

Craig Bernstein is a Managing Partner of OPZ Bernstein, a subsidiary of The Bernstein Companies, a Washington, DC based real estate investment management firm. Mr. Bernstein has more than 20 years of experience in real estate, including acquisitions, dispositions, construction, development, financing, asset management, property management and leasing. Mr. Bernstein is responsible for establishing OPZ Bernstein’s strategic initiatives and overseeing the Fund’s investor relations. As one of the nation’s leading Opportunity Zone experts, Mr. Bernstein has contributed to stories for The New York Times, Associated Press, Washington Post and CNBC. Mr. Bernstein is a frequent speaker at Opportunity Zone events including the Global Institutional Real Estate Forum, Washington, DC Building Industry Association, Washington, DC Economic Partnership, Bisnow, The ASD Summit and The New York Riverside Experience. Prior to founding OPZ Bernstein, Mr. Bernstein was the Chief Investment Officer of White Star Investments, a prominent single family investment office in Bethesda, MD. During his 10 year career at White Star Investments, Mr. Bernstein oversaw a diversified portfolio of privately held real estate, private equity, alternative investments, and marketable securities. Mr. Bernstein focused extensively on allocating capital to external managers, and leading the firm’s manager selection and due diligence processes. Prior to joining White Star Investments, Mr. Bernstein was a Director at Cushman and Wakefield. One of the youngest Directors in the firm’s history, Mr. Bernstein’s clients included TIAA-CREF, TA Associates, Lerner Enterprises and the B.F. Saul Companies. Named as a member to the Inaugural Bisnow “Top 35 under 35” list, Mr. Bernstein has also served on the Board of the Greater Washington Commercial Association of Realtors (GWCAR) and the Board of Hillel at the University of Maryland. Mr. Bernstein resides in Potomac, MD.

OPZ Bernstein

Managing Partner

Craig Bernstein

Managing Partner, OPZ Bernstein

Catherine Lyons

Senior Director of Policy and Coalitions, Economic Innovation Group

Moderator

Angel Rice

Partner, Cohen & Co Advisory

Why You Can't Miss this National Opportunity Zone Event

What You’ll Learn:

How has the commercial real estate industry utilized Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) to drive investment and development in underserved communities over the past decade?
As new zones are now being nominated and evaluated, how could the next round of designations reshape investment strategies?
What qualifies as a Qualified Opportunity Zone property and how are developers structuring deals within the program today?
How have the tax incentives and investment timelines evolved in the program’s next phase?
What new eligibility requirements are shaping which communities qualify for designation?
What is the Qualified Rural Opportunity Fund and how could it expand the program’s reach into rural markets?
What new reporting requirements are investors and fund managers preparing for?
What timeline should developers, investors and local governments expect for the final designation of the next round of zones?

Why This Matters:

As the next phase of the Qualified Opportunity Zone program begins, states and municipalities are now nominating new zones that could shape where capital flows over the coming decade. With updated eligibility rules, expanded reporting requirements and new rural-focused investment vehicles, the program is evolving in ways that could significantly impact commercial real estate development strategies. Join industry experts as they break down how the program has performed over its first decade, what the current nomination process means for investors and developers, and how to position your projects and funds to take advantage of the next generation of Opportunity Zone investment.

Opportunity Zones in the News

For questions regarding our content, or speaking and sponsorship opportunities, please email our DMV Producer, Ian Wheeler, at ian.wheeler@bisnow.com. To request disability-related accommodations, please contact catherine.rowntree@bisnow.com no later than 7 business days prior to the event.

Agenda

Time	Activity
12:00 PM 1:00 PM	Opportunity Zones in Transition Explore how the next phase of Qualified Opportunity Zones, including new nominations, tax changes, and rural investment opportunities, will shape commercial real estate strategies and drive capital into emerging markets.

PS - Want the attendee list for free?

Biscred gives you access to 6.1 million commercial real estate contacts and powerful filters built for CRE: search by industry, asset class experience, property count, job seniority, metros, and more. Book a demo today and get the attendee list for free when you mention this promotion.

Call:	202-684-2034
Email:	eventregistration@bisnow.com