The local real estate community converged for the 32nd UC/PNC Economic Outlook, a yearly ritual of diving into economic trends affecting Cincinnati and beyond. Held on February 13, the newly reopened First Financial Center played host to this gathering of minds, attracting a cross-section of attendees, from students to seasoned professionals seeking insights on the ever-evolving real estate landscape, according to a report from the University of Cincinnati.
An impressive turnout of more than 350 attendees, including over 70 real estate students, listened intently as experts dissected the economics at play locally, nationally, and internationally. The event, spearheaded by the UC Real Estate Center and PNC Bank, saw Lindner students mingle with regional real estate leaders, where keynote speakers Stuart Hoffman, a PNC senior economic adviser, and Greg Valliere, chief U.S. policy strategist at AGF Investments, shared their valued perspectives.
The University of Cincinnati's report captured Hoffman and Valliere's final appearance together at the forum; Hoffman walked the crowd through PNC’s 2026 economic forecast, while Valliere, now retiring, offered keen observations on political and geopolitical factors influencing the economy. Carl Goertemoeller, Real Estate Center Executive Director, set the tone of the event with a nod to the dynamic economic transformations since the program’s inception in 1994 and extended his gratitude to the center's Board of Executive Advisors in Real Estate and corporate associates for their continued support.
A significant component of the discussion underscored the importance of these exchanges in contextualizing the journey of the economy and its prospective direction, Warren Weber, PNC Bank Regional President, emphasized the significance of the forum as "a cornerstone for thoughtful discussion about where our economy has been and — more importantly — where it is headed." The session wrapped up with an interactive Q&A where Goertemoeller, Gary Painter, PhD, BEARE Chair and Professor of Real Estate, joined Hoffman and Valliere onstage to field questions from the audience, marking the end of an era for the retiring speakers known for their expertise and wit.
