Connect Midwest Industrial Recap: Trends, Takeaways, and the Outlook on Industrial (VIDEO)

At Connect CRE’s recent Connect Industrial Midwest 2025 conference, leaders from across the commercial real estate industry gathered to discuss the importance of learning from challenges and taking decisive action.

“Industrial was born in a crisis, and so was Brennan Investment Group created in a crisis, but a good one,” said Michael Brennan, Co-Founder, Chairman, and Managing Principal of Brennan Investment Group, speaking at the event held earlier this month at Joe’s Live in Rosemont, Illinois.

The afternoon event kicked off with the presentation of a lifetime achievement award to Michael Brennan to celebrate his 33-year career dedicated to industrial real estate. Brennan served as the co-founder and CEO of First Industrial Realty Trust for 14 years before founding Brennan Investment Group. The keynote address featured Kevin Brennan, Brennan Investment Group’s chief investment officer and managing principal, who interviewed Michael.

The last few years have presented unprecedented challenges for commercial real estate, but 2025 has signaled the long-awaited recovery with an upswing in volume and transactions. At the well-attended live event, panelists spoke about the significance of good relationships, flexibility in underwriting, and the power of over-communication with partners. The panelists discussed how this year has marked a shift in market dynamics, including the resilience of industrial and a normalization of vacancy rates.

In the recap video below, you’ll also hear insights from Logistics Property Group’s Executive Vice President – Central Region, Aaron Martell, CRG’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Jennifer E. Nichols, and Thorofare Capital’s Director of Originations, Jon Hart. Look for additional coverage from Connect Industrial Midwest in the next few days.