BiggerPockets, the leading resource for real estate investment education and community building, has officially unveiled the details for its flagship annual conference, BPCON 2026. Scheduled to take place in Orlando, Florida, at the Hilton Orlando, the event serves as a central hub for real estate investors ranging from novices to seasoned professionals with extensive portfolios. The 2026 iteration of the conference is designed to address the evolving landscape of the American housing market, offering a blend of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and industry-specific tracks. As the real estate sector faces ongoing shifts in interest rates, inventory levels, and regulatory environments, BPCON 2026 aims to provide attendees with the technical knowledge and professional connections necessary to achieve financial independence through property acquisition and management.
Comprehensive Programming and Educational Tracks
The core of BPCON 2026 is structured around four distinct programming tracks, each tailored to a specific stage of the investor’s journey. This modular approach ensures that the content remains relevant to a diverse audience, which includes individuals looking to purchase their first rental property as well as institutional-level investors managing hundreds of units.
The first track, "Buy Your First," is targeted toward "rookies"—individuals who have yet to close their first deal or are in the very early stages of their investment career. This track focuses on the fundamentals of market analysis, financing options, and the due diligence process. The second track, "Scale Your Portfolio," is designed for mid-level investors who typically own between two and twenty units. This curriculum emphasizes systems, property management automation, and creative financing strategies to overcome the hurdles of scaling.
The third track, "Peer Networking," represents a shift toward collaborative learning. Rather than traditional lecture-style presentations, this track facilitates peer-to-peer exchanges, allowing investors to share localized market data and operational "lessons learned." Finally, the "Real Estate Agents" track provides specialized content for licensed professionals. Recognizing that agents play a critical role in the investment ecosystem, these sessions focus on how agents can better serve investor clients while building their own investment portfolios.
Industry-Leading Keynotes and Speaker Lineup
BPCON 2026 will feature a robust lineup of speakers drawn from the top tiers of the real estate and financial sectors. The conference will host three primary keynote addresses and two additional general sessions, all focused on macroeconomic trends and actionable investment strategies.
Prominent figures from the BiggerPockets media ecosystem are scheduled to lead the sessions. This includes David Greene, a former police officer turned real estate mogul and author of several best-selling investment books; Rob Abasolo, a specialist in short-term rentals and creative marketing; and Henry Washington, known for his expertise in finding off-market deals and scaling residential portfolios. Other featured speakers include Kathy Fettke, co-founder of RealWealth and an expert in market cycles; Dave Meyer, the Vice President of Data and Analytics at BiggerPockets; and James Dainard, a specialist in fix-and-flip strategies and large-scale renovations.
The inclusion of these experts provides a multifaceted view of the industry. While some speakers focus on the data-driven aspects of the market—analyzing inflation, cap rates, and demographic shifts—others provide the practical "boots on the ground" advice required to manage contractors and navigate local zoning laws.
Strategic Venue Selection: The Hilton Orlando
The selection of the Hilton Orlando as the host venue is a strategic decision intended to maximize attendee interaction. The resort-style layout of the property is conducive to "spontaneous networking," a key component of the BPCON experience. The venue features expansive common areas, on-site dining, and recreational facilities that serve as informal meeting spaces for investors to discuss potential partnerships and deal structures.
Proximity to local attractions also plays a role in the event’s logistical planning. The Hilton Orlando is located near the site of Universal’s "Epic Universe," a major new theme park development. Industry analysts note that such large-scale commercial developments often serve as a backdrop for discussions on the impact of tourism and infrastructure on local real estate values. Furthermore, the conference organizers have encouraged attendees to consult with tax professionals regarding the potential for business-related travel deductions, highlighting the professional nature of the gathering.
Networking Integration and the Whova Ecosystem
To facilitate connections among the thousands of expected attendees, BPCON 2026 will utilize the Whova event application. This digital platform allows participants to create profiles, browse the attendee list, and schedule private meetups before the conference officially begins. The application is a critical tool for modern professional conferences, enabling investors to filter peers by geographic location, investment niche (such as short-term rentals or commercial multifamily), or professional background (such as military veterans or healthcare professionals).
In addition to digital networking, the conference has scheduled high-impact social events designed to foster community. These include the "Tiki Takeover," an opening reception sponsored by Steadily, and the "Cash Flow Carnival," a closing event sponsored by Easy Street Capital. These events are intended to move the conversation beyond the classroom, allowing for the formation of long-term professional relationships in a more relaxed environment.
Registration Tiers and Group Accessibility
BiggerPockets has implemented a tiered pricing structure for BPCON 2026 to accommodate different professional needs and budgets. Early-bird pricing, available through the end of July, offers a baseline for entry, while higher tiers provide additional benefits.
- Standard Ticket ($850): Provides full access to all sessions, the exhibit hall, and the primary social events.
- VIP Ticket ($1,350): Includes the standard benefits plus exclusive access to a VIP lounge, premium seating, and specialized networking sessions with keynote speakers.
- Premium Ticket ($2,000): The highest tier, offering comprehensive access and additional perks such as concierge services and exclusive recordings of all conference sessions.
For investment clubs and professional teams, a discounted group rate of $700 per person is available for parties of five or more. This initiative is aimed at encouraging brokerage firms and investment syndicates to attend as a cohesive unit, facilitating collective professional development.
Historical Context and Growth of BPCON
Since its inception, BPCON has evolved from a small gathering of forum members into one of the most significant events in the real estate investment calendar. Previous conferences in cities such as San Diego and New Orleans have seen consistent growth in attendance, reflecting the broader trend of retail investors seeking alternatives to traditional stock and bond markets.
The 2026 conference arrives at a pivotal moment for the industry. Following years of volatile interest rates and a post-pandemic shift in housing demand, the real estate community is increasingly focused on "creative finance" and "medium-term rentals" as viable paths to profitability. By centering the 2026 event in Orlando—a market that has seen significant growth in both the residential and hospitality sectors—BiggerPockets positions its attendees at the intersection of theory and practical market application.
Broader Economic Impact and Industry Implications
The implications of BPCON 2026 extend beyond the immediate education of its attendees. Events of this scale contribute significantly to the local economy of the host city through hotel stays, dining, and transportation services. More importantly, the conference serves as a barometer for investor sentiment. The strategies discussed and adopted at BPCON often ripple through the wider market, influencing how thousands of small-to-mid-sized investors approach property acquisition in the following year.
As institutional investors continue to increase their share of the single-family rental market, gatherings like BPCON provide individual investors with the "economies of scale" found in knowledge sharing and partnership formation. The emphasis on the "Peer Networking" track suggests that the organizers recognize that in a high-competition environment, the strength of an investor’s network is often as valuable as their capital reserves.
Conclusion and Forward Outlook
BPCON 2026 is poised to be a definitive event for the real estate investment community. By combining high-level macroeconomic analysis with granular, track-based instruction, BiggerPockets provides a comprehensive roadmap for navigating the complexities of the 2026 housing market. The integration of technology through the Whova app and the strategic choice of a world-class venue in Orlando underscore the organization’s commitment to fostering a professional, data-driven, and highly connected community of investors. As registration opens and the industry looks toward the future, the conference stands as a testament to the enduring role of real estate as a primary vehicle for wealth creation and financial independence.
