Dallas Real Estate Event Feb. 18

Texas McCombs to host Business Outlook panel on the future of Texas cities

Real estate leaders and economic experts will meet for the 2026 Business Outlook event in Dallas, discussing how growth, demand, and development are reshaping Texas communities, Feb. 18 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas — Dallas Branch.

Hosted by The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, the sold-out event features a panel discussion titled “Real Estate: Demand, Development, and the Future of Texas Cities.” Attendees will include McCombs alumni and members of the Dallas business community. Breakfast and networking begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the panel discussion at 8:30 a.m.

As rising costs, rapid population growth, and changing expectations for how people live and work continue to transform the real estate landscape, panelists will explore what these shifts mean for homes, offices, and local development across Texas. The discussion will examine where new housing is being built, why industrial and mixed-use projects are expanding statewide, and how companies are rethinking office needs. Speakers will also address the growing demand for convenient, high-quality places to live and work — and what these trends could mean for Texas cities in the years ahead.

Panelists include:

• Laila Assanie, senior business economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, who focuses on regional economic conditions and trends shaping the Texas economy.
• Colt McCoy, B.S. ’09, owner and principal of HPI Fort Worth, leading investment, development, and operations across office and industrial real estate in North Texas.
• Greg Hallman, Ph.D. ’96, professor of finance instruction and director of the Texas Real Estate Center at Texas McCombs, and faculty director of the John C. Goff Student Real Estate Investment Fund.

The Dallas real estate discussion is part of the McCombs Business Outlook series, which brings together experts from industry, academia, and the Federal Reserve to explore critical issues shaping the future of business across Texas.

“The Business Outlook series is designed to bring clarity to complexity,” said McCombs School Dean Lillian Mills, who will host the discussion. “By convening experts who understand the energy sector from multiple perspectives, we aim to equip business leaders with insights they can use to navigate uncertainty and plan confidently for the future.”

For journalists: Please contact Judie Kinonen at Judie.kinonen@mccombs.utexas.edu for more information.