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National Forums
Be a part of NAIOP's flagship program for exclusive networking and experience exchange.
Join a National Forum
Are you interested in going beyond local NAIOP relationships by networking with other executives from across North America in your industry segment?
Learn about eligibility and how to apply to the three different types of Forums.
How to Apply
The fall/winter application period opens October 1, 2025 and closes on February 20, 2026.
Limited and General Forums Application (non-Developing Leaders)
Developing Leaders Forums Application
All applications must be completed online and submitted through the submit.com platform.
About the Application Process
General and Limited Forums
General Forums are open to all NAIOP members with at least 10 years of related experience. Most Limited Forums are open only to CRE developers, investors and owners, referred to as NAIOP Principal members.
Applications are initially received by NAIOP, but final review and acceptance is the responsibility of group volunteer leadership and members. Forums typically seek geographic diversity in their membership to limit potential market overlap. Applicants are evaluated based on criteria such as expertise and location. Not all groups are currently accepting applications as they may be at their size limit. We may not be able to accommodate an applicant’s first choice and encourage the selection of two or more Forums on the application.
We encourage applicants to read over not only the Forum names but also the descriptions to get a full understanding of each Forum’s makeup and focus.
Developing Leaders Forums
Applicants aged 35 and under with less than ten years of experience in commercial real estate may apply for a Developing Leaders (DL) Forum. DL applicants are placed in new Forum groups based on their professional roles and geographical locations. Members of DL Forums join the program for a two-year term at a reduced fee, which includes four meetings. Following the conclusion of the term, DL members often decide to continue as a group and become a general Forum or they may individually request to join other existing Forums.
Timeline
Applications are received and processed on a rolling basis during the recruitment period. Because applications are sent to Forum chairs for review, and may even be sent for consideration by multiple chairs non-concurrently, the process can take some time. Applicants should expect to receive an update on their application status within one month of submitting their application. A final status update will be provided no later than four weeks before the upcoming meeting (CRE.Converge in the fall and National Forums Symposium in the spring).
The fall/winter recruitment cycle is typically October – February.
The summer recruitment cycle is typically June – August.
Once placed, new Forum members should plan to attend the upcoming meeting. The next one is the National Forums Symposium, April 28-30, 2026 in Salt Lake City.
Please contact Diana Schapiro, senior director, National Forums program, with any questions.
