The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will host its fifth annual Wellness Real Estate & Communities Symposium on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in New York City.
With the theme “Real Estate Through a Wellness Lens,” the one-day event will bring together leaders from real estate, investment, architecture, design, public policy, technology, medicine, and sustainability. The program will explore the latest concepts and investment trends within the rapidly growing $548 billion wellness real estate market.
Today, the conference announced three keynote speakers who have played leading roles in shaping the design of homes and communities for healthier living.
John Beard, Irene Diamond Professor and director of the International Longevity Center USA at Columbia University, and former director of Ageing and Life Course at the World Health Organization, will explore the implications of longer lifespans and ask a key question: If 70 is the new 60, how should our homes and communities evolve?
Syd Kitson, former NFL player and chairman and CEO of Kitson & Partners, will discuss the future of resilient communities through his work developing Babcock Ranch, the 18,000-acre Florida community widely recognized as the United States’ first fully solar-powered new town.
Dennis Steigerwalt, president of the Housing Innovation Alliance, leads a national network of builders, manufacturers, investors, and innovators working together to rethink how housing is designed and delivered. His keynote will focus on emerging technologies, partnerships, and new models shaping the future of housing.
“This year’s symposium will feature some of the most influential thinkers and developers in real estate and the built environment,” said Nancy Davis, executive director and chief creative officer of the Global Wellness Summit. “Each of these speakers is helping reimagine real estate through a wellness lens at a meaningful scale, impacting millions of people around the world.”
Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Register here to attend the symposium. Discounted rates are available until March 29.
About the Global Wellness Summit
The Global Wellness Summit brings together leaders and visionaries from around the world to shape the future of the $6.8 trillion global wellness economy.
In addition to its annual international conference, GWS hosts industry gatherings such as the Wellness Real Estate & Communities Symposium, as well as virtual programs, including Wellness Master Classes and Wellness Sector Spotlights.
The organization’s annual Future of Wellness report identifies emerging trends shaping the wellness industry and is widely cited in global media.
The 20th annual Global Wellness Summit will take place in Phuket, Thailand, November 10–13, 2026.
