REBNY annual event to be at Waldorf Astoria NY - Jan. 22, 2026

Manhattan, NY The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), will hold its 130^th annual event on January 22, 2026, at the Waldorf Astoria New York. The venue recently underwent a $2 billion restoration.

The Waldorf Astoria — an enduring symbol of New York City’s sophistication and resilience — offers a fitting stage for an evening that honors the visionaries shaping the city’s skyline and strengthening its communities. As the most anticipated event on the real estate calendar, the REBNY Annual convenes the industry’s foremost leaders, public officials, and civic stakeholders for a night of recognition, collaboration, and relentless commitment to New York City’s future.

Each year, REBNY presents its highest honors to distinguished individuals whose achievements exemplify excellence, leadership, and service to the industry and the City. The 2026 honorees will be announced this month, with their accomplishments celebrated in the months leading up to the event.

“For 130 years, REBNY members have helped shape not only the skyline, but the economic and social fabric of New York City,” said REBNY chairman Jed Walentas. “There is no more fitting venue than the Waldorf Astoria—a place that embodies the history, and enduring spirit of our City.”

“From hosting Winston Churchill and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the first Tony Awards and First Human Rights Campaign Benefit, the Waldorf Astoria has long been a stage for exceptional gatherings,” said REBNY president James Whelan. “We’re thrilled to make new memories in 2026 and celebrate our industry as a catalyst for economic development and civic progress.”

The evening will feature red carpet arrivals, a cocktail reception, and a formal awards dinner curated by Waldorf Astoria’s world-class culinary team.

“The Waldorf Astoria’s reopening – blending Art Deco grandeur with modern luxury – is a powerful symbol of New York City’s re-birth in the post-COVID era,” said CEO of CBRE’s Tri-State region Mary Ann Tighe.  “This makes it the perfect setting to celebrate REBNY, whose members have done so much for 130 years to help New York prosper.” 

“The Waldorf Astoria has been the backdrop for many iconic events. My father, Seymour Durst, was passionate about New York City’s history and collected dozens of photographs and artifacts from the famed hotel,” said Douglas Durst, chairman of The Durst Organization. “I look forward to celebrating the future of the industry and the city at the next REBNY Annual.”

“Few organizations have made more of a positive impact on New York City than REBNY. The REBNY Annual, which I have been attending since I joined in 1973, celebrates those who focus on making New York a better place. The Waldorf with its unmatched legacy and a magnificent renovation is the perfect setting to celebrates both the city’s past and its future and is consistent with REBNY’s values,” said Barry Gosin, chief executive officer of Newmark.

 A portion of the evening’s proceeds will support REBNY’s social impact initiatives, including efforts to advance diversity and inclusion across the real estate sector. These initiatives include the REBNY Fellows Leadership Program in partnership with Coro New York, expanded real estate internships through the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), and continued support for Building Skills New York, which connects New Yorkers from underserved communities with meaningful careers in construction.