Fort Worth's Commercial Real Estate Future Starts Now – The REC of GFW 2026-2029 Strategic Plan

At the 2026 Annual Celebration on March 27, 2026, the Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth officially launched its 3-Year Strategic Plan. It's a bold framework that will guide everything we do from now through 2029. And we don't use the word "bold" lightly.

This isn't a document that will live in a drawer. It's a commitment to our members, to our community and to the future of commercial real estate in Tarrant County.

Board Chairman Travis Clegg of Westwood Professional Services, Executive Director Karen Vermaire Fox and our consultant, Concho Minick have spent months working alongside our board, committees and members to get this right. What emerged is a plan that reflects where this region is heading and positions REC of GFW to lead the way.

Why Now

Tarrant County is growing, and that growth is getting more complex. The decisions being made right now about development, policy, infrastructure and community investment will shape this region for decades. REC of GFW has always been at the intersection of the private sector, public leadership and the broader community. This plan makes that role official, intentional and resourced.

We exist to advance thoughtful, informed and collaborative commercial real estate development. This plan is how we actually do that.

Five Focus Areas That Will Define the Next Three Years

The plan is organized around five strategic pillars. Over the coming weeks we'll be diving deep into each one, but here's the big picture.

Pillar 1: Voice of Commercial Real Estate

REC of GFW will become the go-to source for market intelligence and development insight in Tarrant County. That means investing in the people, platforms and programs that help members and public leaders make better decisions. We're adding a Director of Market Intelligence and Storytelling to our staff, building out our digital presence and creating regular intelligence briefs that cut through the noise and deliver real value.

Pillar 2: Development Solutions and Process Improvement

Getting a project from concept to completion shouldn't be a mystery. REC of GFW will work alongside city leadership and development professionals to identify where the process breaks down and help fix it. Better outcomes for developers mean better outcomes for the community.

Pillar 3: Policy Leadership, Advocacy and Government Affairs

Effective advocacy requires structure and sustained investment. We're building that infrastructure now by adding a Government Affairs Manager, restructuring our Government Affairs committee, establishing an annual policy agenda and preparing for the 2027 Legislative Session. REC of GFW will show up with clear positions and strong relationships.

Pillar 4: Leadership, Membership and Deal Networks

REC of GFW has always been a place where deals get done and careers get built. This pillar formalizes that. We're launching an Emerging Leaders program for young professionals, activating the Founder's Council as ambassadors and advisors and creating better pathways for deal origination across capital, equity and development.

Pillar 5: Community Impact and Regional Collaboration

We're bringing our expertise to the table on initiatives that shape long-term economic growth and quality of life in this region. This isn't about being everywhere. It's about being strategic, focused and measuring the impact of what we do.

A Plan That Requires Real Investment

Delivering on this level of work requires us to grow. That means adding staff, building programs and investing in the infrastructure that makes all of this possible. As part of implementing this plan, we will be adjusting membership dues, and we want to be straightforward about that.

We believe strongly that what we're building is worth it. Every dollar invested in this organization is a dollar invested in the future of commercial real estate in this region. The value we create through smarter advocacy, stronger networks, better market intelligence and real community impact will far outpace the cost of membership.

We're not asking you to take that on faith. Over the next five weeks we'll be sharing the details of each pillar: what we're doing, why it matters and how it benefits you. We want you to see exactly what this plan is built to deliver.

Read The Full Strategic Plan Here

What Comes Next

If you have questions about the plan or want to get more involved, reach out to Karen directly at Karen@recouncilgfw.com. This plan belongs to all of us, and the more voices we have helping shape how it comes to life, the better.

Fort Worth's commercial real estate future starts now. Let's build it together.