<p>In 1960, real estate investment trusts (REITs) were created to allow investing in commercial real estate without the responsibilities of owning and managing actual properties.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Today, REITs are a key part of many individual and corporate portfolios. This investment vehicle is the focus of the NYU SPS Schack Institute of Real Estate’s annual REIT Symposium.</p> <p>The symposium has become the sector’s premier industry event where top executives share their perspectives and insights on how the latest trends and market conditions transform REITs each year. Attendees have opportunities to network with leading academics, current industry professionals, and the next generation of industry leaders and innovators–NYU SPS Schack students.</p> <p>Hot discussion and debated topics from previous NYU REIT Symposiums include:</p> <ul> <li><p>The outlook for merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) activity</p> </li> <li><p>The potential impacts of interest rate decisions</p> </li> <li><p>The advantages of achieving economies of scale</p> </li> <li><p>The divergence between REIT values and their net asset worth</p> </li> <li><p>The rapidly evolving digitalization sphere&nbsp;</p> </li> <li><p>The pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI)</p> </li> </ul> <p><br> Proceeds from the event support academic programs for graduate and undergraduate students at the NYU SPS Schack Institute of Real Estate. </p>