Connect Industrial Midwest 2026 Recap (VIDEO)

At the recent Connect Industrial Midwest event, leaders from across the commercial real estate industry gathered to discuss the combination of steady fundamentals, improving leasing activity, and renewed capital movement in industrial.

“Luckily in the Midwest, we didn’t see a ton of supply and get way over our skis,” said Kevin Brennan, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Principal of Brennan Investment Group.

These factors help position the Midwest—particularly Chicago—for increased transaction volume in 2026. Speakers pointed to a market defined less by volatility and more by discipline, especially compared to higher-growth regions that experienced oversupply in recent years.

“I think we’re almost certainly going to see more transactional activity than we did in 2025,” added Brendan Sheahan, Vice President, Market Officer at Tradelane Properties. “In 2026, going back to the fundamentals from a supply and demand standpoint, I think in terms of tenant velocity, you could make the argument that Chicago is actually a little bit undersupplied.”

That stability is now translating into momentum. Leasing activity has surged, reflecting strong tenant demand for well-located assets. “With leasing, we’ve seen a pretty big pickup with last year being up about 33%,” noted John Joyce, Managing Director, SVN Chicago Commercial.

“I think it’s location, power, readiness,” said Geoffrey Kasselman, CEO of Evoke Partners, speaking to critical components for modern users. Still, panelists emphasized that capital—not just real estate fundamentals—is the primary force shaping the market’s next phase.

“The movement of capital is what’s driving cap rates,” explained Alfredo Gutierrez, President and Founder of SparrowHawk. “Interest rates are just a function of the equation.”

“I would say in 2025 we’ve had almost our best year in terms of just production, and transaction volume has been great,” noted Andrew Kim, Director, Originations at Thorofare Capital.

In the recap video, you’ll hear from panelists and their insights on how the industrial market is already showing strength in 2026, and why that trend is expected to continue. Visit Connect Industrial Midwest 2026 – Connect Conferences to learn more.