What To Know
- The speaker lineup features senior executives and policymakers such as Chip Rogers, former President and CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, James Wilkinson, Global Head of Infrastructure and Real Estate Securities at BlackRock, Jad Ellawn, Managing Partner and Regional Head of the Middle East at Brookfield, Lakshmi Narayanan, Chairman of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute, and Mahmoud AlBurai, Senior Director of Real Estate Policies and Innovation at Dubai Land Department.
- RISE 2026 places Dubai at the center of global real estate conversation this January as the Global Real Estate Investment Summit and Expo opens at Expo City Dubai.
- The event operates under the management of Dubai World Trade Centre, with programming designed to support investment dialogue, public-private collaboration, and market expansion discussions tied to real estate and urban development.
RISE 2026 gathers investors, developers, and governments at Expo City Dubai
RISE 2026 places Dubai at the center of global real estate conversation this January as the Global Real Estate Investment Summit and Expo opens at Expo City Dubai. Scheduled for 13 to 15 January 2026, the event marks the first major international gathering hosted at the new Dubai Exhibition Centre South. Government leaders, institutional investors, developers, and technology decision makers arrive for three days focused entirely on real estate investment, smart infrastructure, and urban development.
Positioned as a high-level meeting ground for decision makers, RISE 2026 brings together real estate capital, development strategy, and urban planning discussions under one roof. The event format separates investment-focused dialogue from open exhibition access, giving each audience a clear experience tailored to how they participate in the real estate market today.
Inside The RISE 2026 Program
The opening day features the Global Real Estate Investment Summit, hosted exclusively for registered delegates and investors at the Dubai Exhibition Centre South. This full-day conference centers on capital allocation, policy direction, and investment strategy within real estate and infrastructure. Entry remains limited to credentialed participants, reinforcing the summit’s focus on institutional dialogue.
The second and third days shift toward the exhibition and conference program. Attendees gain access to exhibitor showcases, networking lounges, panel discussions, workshops, and fireside conversations. Topics span real estate development, smart infrastructure, proptech, fintech, hospitality, and urban planning. Daily programming runs from 10:00am to 6:00pm throughout the event.
Themes Shaping RISE 2026
RISE 2026 organizes its agenda around four themes that frame the discussions taking place during the summit and exhibition. Building Tomorrow centers on sustainable and interconnected urban spaces, featuring projects designed with long-term city planning in mind. Innovate to Elevate focuses on technology-driven development, with emphasis on proptech, fintech, and AI applications within real estate.
Iconic Spaces highlights architecture and design through landmark projects redefining modern urban environments. Investing in Potential addresses financial structures and capital strategies supporting real estate growth, including institutional funding, co-development models, and joint venture structures presented by participating partners.
Who Is Attending And Speaking
Organizers confirm participation from institutions representing more than USD 15 trillion in assets under management. Confirmed names include BlackRock, Brookfield, Public Investment Fund, Mubadala, ADIA, Investment Corporation of Dubai, Dubai Holding, Mapletree, Emirates Investment Authority, and Kuwait Investment Authority, alongside other global investment firms.
The speaker lineup features senior executives and policymakers such as Chip Rogers, former President and CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, James Wilkinson, Global Head of Infrastructure and Real Estate Securities at BlackRock, Jad Ellawn, Managing Partner and Regional Head of the Middle East at Brookfield, Lakshmi Narayanan, Chairman of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute, and Mahmoud AlBurai, Senior Director of Real Estate Policies and Innovation at Dubai Land Department.
Registration And Access
RISE 2026 expects more than 15,000 visitors, supported by 250 exhibitors, 150 institutional investors, participants from 50 countries, and more than 50 start-ups. Industry Events offers complimentary visitor passes valued at AED 1,000 through a dedicated registration link for members, granting access to exhibition areas and selected conference sessions.
The event operates under the management of Dubai World Trade Centre, with programming designed to support investment dialogue, public-private collaboration, and market expansion discussions tied to real estate and urban development.
RISE 2026 positions Dubai as the meeting point for global real estate capital, policy leadership, and urban planning dialogue this January. With a structured program separating investment strategy from exhibition engagement, the summit offers focused access for investors, developers, and decision makers shaping future cities. Registration remains open for delegates, exhibitors, and visitors seeking entry into one of the year’s most concentrated real estate gatherings.
