Blueprint: Top Takeaways Driving the Future of Property and Climate Technology
By Elizabeth LatinoMarino’s Real Estate & Property Innovation Team recently returned home from Blueprint 2024, which brought together over 1,500 industry leaders and innovators under one roof at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. The three-day event, which featured a variety of summits, speaking panels, fireside chats and more provided a dynamic and uninterrupted space for networking, learning and industry advancement.
This year’s event was very symbolic of the continued growth in innovation within real estate, the evolving synergy between traditional real estate and PropTech, and the vital role climate technology will play in the industry’s future.
The Evolving Synergy of Traditional Real Estate & Property Innovation
Before the pandemic, the relationship between traditional real estate firms and the nascent PropTech sector was largely characterized by separation and competition, with both operating in silos. However, as the pandemic reshaped the real estate landscape, collaboration between traditional firms and PropTech startups became essential. This shift has accelerated, driven by changing market dynamics and current economic conditions.
Today, it is crucial for property owners, landlords, and managers to understand the needs and desires of their tenants and residents. The data, information and efficiencies gleaned from PropTech solutions is now more important than ever for enhancing the operational and sustainable performance of assets. Integrating innovation to address the needs of current and prospective tenants and investors has become a necessity.
This matured partnership between traditional real estate and PropTech was prominently displayed at this year’s conference. Once dominated by PropTech companies, the event has evolved into a gathering that attracts major players from traditional real estate, tripling in size since its inception and drawing over 1,500 attendees globally.
The conference panels reflected this new synergy, featuring executives from both sectors discussing how they can mutually benefit one another. Their collaboration is vital for ensuring the future success and longevity of the real estate industry as a whole.
Rise of Sustainability and Climate Tech within Real Estate
With real estate contributing to nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, there is increasing pressure to deploy sustainable practices and climate tech across the industry. This urgency was highlighted at Blueprint, where the first day of the conference featured Fifth Wall’s Climate Summit, the first-ever conference dedicated to fostering conversations about tackling real estate’s carbon emissions.
In its second year, Fifth Wall’s Climate Summit convened leading owners and operators, PropTech and Climate Tech entrepreneurs and innovators, sustainability experts, and key policymakers for a day of insightful panels discussing the sector’s environmental impact and actionable solutions. Highlights include a keynote by Fifth Wall’s CEO and CIO, Brendan Wallace, a panel debating climate’s biggest headlines moderated by Axios’ Katie Fehrenbacher, and a fireside chat with CNBC’s Diana Olick. The Climate Summit is just one example of how sustainability has evolved from a niche concern to a central pillar for the industry, ranging from energy-efficient properties and green construction materials to smart technology.
At Marino, with our deep roots in real estate, we’re excited to see the industry’s growth and evolution, making events like Blueprint possible. Attending this year’s conference was a great reminder of the importance of stepping out of your usual office hours to connect with some of the industry’s most influential, innovative, and up-and-coming figures, as well as reconnecting with some familiar faces. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event and seeing what new trends surface.
