The 3rd Annual Newark Summit for Real Estate, Economic Development & Placemaking has been announced for Feb. 9, 2026. Organizers expect over 1,250 regional principals to attend the now-annual leadership conference. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka will again serve as the keynote speaker this year, delivering a fireside chat.
The gathering will be held at Newark’s 550 Broad Street across the 16 and 17 floors, courtesy of Venue Partner, The Fidelco Group, overlooking the NYC skyline and Downtown Newark. This year’s Summit is co-chaired by Newark Alliance and Prudential, with Invest Newark serving as Presenting Partner.
The day-long forum brings together investors, anchor institutions, developers, occupiers, owners, non-profits and advisors across the city, county, state & region to discuss growth, innovation & placemaking. As one of the most exciting domestic growth markets – Newark leaders will be discussing all of the projects, initiatives & partnerships helping innovate and grow the city.
2026 Confirmed speakers for this year include:
- Ras J. Baraka, Mayor, City of Newark
- Lata Reddy, Chair, Prudential & Newark Alliance; SVP, Inclusive Solutions, Prudential
- Evan Weiss, President & CEO, Newark Alliance
- Kerri Levine, Managing Principal, The Fidelco Group
- Aisha Glover, Global Head of Urban Innovation, Audible
- John Schreiber, President & CEO, NJPAC
- Lauren LeBaux Craig, Executive Director, Newark Arts
- Rebecca P. Jampol, Co-Director, Project for Empty Space (PES)
- Talia Young, President & CEO, Newark Symphony Hall
- Kerri Levine, Managing Principal, The Fidelco Group
- Adenah Bayoh, President & CEO, Adenah Bayoh & Companies / Cornbread / Brick City Vegan
- Samer Hanini, Managing Principal, Hanini Group
- Wasseem Boraie, Managing Principal, Boraie Development
- Murat Mutlu, Founder & Principal, INOA Architecture
- Marcus Randolph, President & CEO, Invest Newark
- Siree Morris, Managing Partner, MCI Collective
- Melanie Walter, Executive Director, New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency
- Andrew Cavaluzzi, Partner & Co-Founder, Hudson Valley Property Group
- John Saraceno, Co-Founder & Managing Principal, Onyx Equities
- Duncan Turner, General Partner & Global Managing Director, SOSV – HAX
- Aaron Price, Founder & CEO, techunited, propelify, BetterFutureLabs
- Aaron Stauber, President, Rugby Realty Co., Inc.
- Sheila Rostiac, SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer, PSEG
- Brian Murray, Founder & CEO, SHIFT Capital
- Jorge Santos, Chief Real Estate and Investment Officer, Newark Alliance
- Jose Cruz, Senior Managing Director, JLL Capital Markets
- and others to come….
Topics to be discussed include:
- ARTS – SPACES, CULTURE & CATALYST
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- The Role of Art Centers, Spaces + Culture in Neighborhood Revitalization. Transformative Projects & Impact Discussed.
- MIXED-USE + INNOVATIVE RETAIL & PLACEMAKING
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- Innovative Programs / Collaborations Discussed. Best Practices/Thought-Leadership – Future Opportunities in Newark / Across the Region
- OFFICE & INNOVATION– GROWTH | CAPITAL | TALENT | PLACEMAKING
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- Newark as a tech – innovation – talent – investment hub. Why global players are choosing Newark and New Jersey. Innovations from leaders in the City around workforce, talent & attraction.
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- Office Sector Discussed – Future & Opportunities – Design, Renovations & Repurposing.
- AFFORDABLE HOUSING
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- Incentivizing Affordable Housing Throughout the City | Successful Strategies + Formulas Highlighted
- EMERGING MARKETS & REGION
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- New Development Corridors-Neighborhoods, Region Discussed | Leading Asset Classes – Industrial, Film, Cold Storage, Vertical Farming 2.0
- CAPITAL MARKETS, FINANCE, TAX & INCENTIVES
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- Importance/Role of Inclusive Equitable Growth – Using Financial & Creative Incentives + Resources to Accelerate
- LEADERSHIP INNOVATIONS IN NONPROFIT, PHILANTHROPY & PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
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- New, innovative models for integration & impact. Public–private partnership 2.0; philanthropy’s role in de-risking innovation; strategic partnerships with anchor institutions; nonprofit-led projects highlighted
- MULTI-FAMILY
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- Major Projects. Getting Things Built: View from Top – From Concept to Lease-Up. Supply / Pipeline & Regional Forecasts| Investment Appetite – NNJ / NYC.
- And much more
This is a must-attend event for those aligned with Newark, New Jersey, and tri-state growth.
Media Partners include BINJE, ROI-NJ, NJBIZ, RE-NJ, Jersey Digs, and The Real Deal.
For the full list of speakers, event details, and registration, visit The Newark Summit’s website here.
