Miami, May 20, 2026 — The Spain–U.S. Chamber of Commerce, together with ABANCA as Presenting Sponsor, successfully hosted the Real Estate Forum 2026 on May 20 at the iconic Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), bringing together leading developers, investors, financial institutions, architects, urban planners, and public sector leaders for a morning of high-level conversations focused on the future of Miami’s real estate landscape.
The forum welcomed more than 150 professionals from the United States, Spain, and international markets, creating a dynamic platform for networking, collaboration, and industry insight.
The event opened with an exclusive conversation featuring Mónica Vázquez, President of the Spain–U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Country Head of ABANCA USA, together with Muayad Abbas, Managing Director of Development at OKO Group and Professor of Entrepreneurship in Real Estate at the University of Miami’s Master of Real Estate Development + Urbanism program. The discussion focused on Miami’s transformation into a global city, the continued strength of the luxury residential market, international investment trends, and the city’s positioning as one of the world’s most attractive destinations for capital, talent, and long-term growth.
Throughout the morning, industry leaders participated in three expert-led panel discussions covering some of the most pressing topics shaping the future of real estate and urban development in South Florida.
Residential Real Estate: Luxury, Multifamily & Investment Trends
The first panel explored the evolution of Miami’s residential market, including luxury development, multifamily housing, financing, investment trends, and the international demand continuing to drive the sector.
Panelists discussed how Miami has evolved from a seasonal lifestyle destination into a mature global residential and investment market. Conversations also highlighted the growing importance of design, hospitality, wellness, and long-term value creation within luxury residential development.
The panel featured Omar Morales, Senior Director at Berkadia; Eduardo Otaola, Principal at Constellation; Branco Kuzmanovic, Managing Director at Empira Investment; and Margarita Sanchez Lloria, Chief Credit Relationships Officer at ABANCA.
Corporate Relocation & the Reinvention of Office and Retail Spaces
The second panel focused on how corporate relocation, economic growth, and population migration are reshaping office, retail, and mixed-use environments across Miami and South Florida.
Speakers emphasized that companies are increasingly choosing South Florida not only because of tax advantages, but also because of operational efficiency, business-friendly environments, and quality of life. Panelists also highlighted Miami’s growing role as a global financial hub, with institutions such as Santander continuing to expand their U.S. presence in the region.
A major theme throughout the conversation was the evolution of office space, with experts agreeing that the future lies in hospitality-driven, mixed-use environments that integrate office, retail, residential, and lifestyle experiences. Discussions also focused on the importance of amenities, employee experience, and high-quality spaces in attracting top talent.
The panel featured Teresa Blanca, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Blanca Commercial Real Estate; Michael Vassilaros, Chief Investment Officer at Key International; Luis Guillo, Director of Workplace Strategy and Planning at Santander Bank US; Tal Bar-Or, Co-Founder of Lantern Real Estate; and Chris Drew, Senior Managing Director at JLL Capital Markets.
Shaping Miami’s Future: Real Estate, Infrastructure & Urban Development
The forum concluded with a forward-looking discussion on infrastructure, housing, construction, workforce challenges, and public-private collaboration as key drivers behind Miami’s long-term transformation and sustainable growth.
Panelists addressed some of the region’s most pressing challenges, including housing affordability, labor shortages in the construction industry, transportation infrastructure, and workforce commuting patterns across South Florida.
Speakers emphasized the need for continued investment in infrastructure, education, and attainable housing to ensure Miami’s future growth remains sustainable and inclusive.
The panel featured Michaeljohn “MJ” Green, Chief of Economic Development & Strategy at the Miami Downtown Development Authority (Miami DDA); Alan Ojeda, Principal at Rilea Group; Patrick Erin Murphy, Executive Vice President at Coastal Construction; and Michael Liu, Managing Director at Swerdlow Group.
The event reinforced Miami’s position as one of the most dynamic and attractive real estate markets in the world while highlighting the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to address the opportunities and challenges associated with rapid urban growth.
The event was presented by ABANCA as Presenting Sponsor, with the support of The HueHub Living Spaces as Silver Sponsor, Engel & Völkers as Bronze Sponsor, and Ubicuity as partner.
Beyond the panel discussions, attendees also had the opportunity to engage with partners and sponsors throughout the venue, including Ubicuity, whose interactive booth showcased innovative solutions and technologies shaping the future of the built environment and urban experience.
About the Spain–U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The Spain–U.S. Chamber of Commerce, based in Florida, is one of the leading binational chambers in the United States, bringing together more than 550 companies and professionals with a shared interest in strengthening business relations between the U.S., Spain, and Latin America. Celebrating its 46th anniversary, the Chamber serves as a key connector within the transatlantic business ecosystem and organizes more than 35 corporate and networking events annually across strategic sectors such as real estate, energy, construction, finance, and trade.
About ABANCA USA
ABANCA USA is the U.S. presence of ABANCA Corporación Bancaria, a leading international financial group headquartered in Spain. With a global presence spanning Europe and the Americas, ABANCA operates in 11 countries with a team of more than 8,000 professionals worldwide.
In the U.S., ABANCA combines the traditional strength of banking and lending with cutting-edge technology. Its approach is personalized, offering tailor-made services and solutions with full geographic coverage, allowing it to be a consistent partner for its clients and support them in all their domestic and cross-border financial transactions.
