My Takes on ICSC Las Vegas 2026

ICSC Las Vegas. A few takes.

1. First and most importantly: the Lewis Retail Centers team was outstanding. From ownership to everyone supporting the booth, the energy was there all three days. A lot of meetings happened. Some helped get stuck deals moving again. That’s the whole point. The relationships are what make this show worth showing up for.
2. PropTech Connect was one of the best single days I’ve had at a conference in years. I learned more about where CRE tech is heading in one day than in the past year combined. Well done, Lee Jackson, Jesse Michael and Kevin Hewitt.
3. Honest takeaway, though? It’s a firehose. A lot is coming, and it’s going to take time to sort out what’s signal and what’s noise.
4. The volume of content coming out of this industry right now is remarkable. A few years ago you barely saw social posts from CRE brands during ICSC. CRE was a laggard on tech and social for a long time. I don’t think that’s true anymore.
5. The show itself has changed. It used to be heavily leasing-focused, with exhibit hall deal-making as the main event. That’s still there, but the show has grown into something broader. Good thing.
6. One thing that hasn’t changed: it’s short. Weeks of prep for a day and a half on the floor. That ratio still gets me.
7. First time at the Wynn. Loved the hotel. The valet during peak hours is a different story.
8. The Monday start kept melting my brain all week. And I genuinely missed seeing the EDC crowd heading home while I was heading out. A highlight I didn’t know I’d miss.

See you next year.