IWBA plans 2026 San Diego real estate and business expo

The International Wealth Builders Association will host its San Diego Real Estate Investing and Business Expo 2026 on Aug. 6 at the Handlery Hotel San Diego. The event is built around small, application-only roundtables, moderated panels and networking aimed at investors, entrepreneurs and other industry professionals.

Why it matters: - The expo is designed to replace sales-heavy conference formats with education-first sessions focused on strategy, mentorship and deal-making. - IWBA is targeting people who work across real estate, finance, law, construction and business, which could make the event a cross-industry networking hub for Southern California professionals. - The format emphasizes limited-capacity, vetted discussions, which raises the value of access for attendees who want direct peer-to-peer connections.

What happened: - The International Wealth Builders Association will host the San Diego Real Estate Investing and Business Expo 2026 on Aug. 6, 2026, at the Handlery Hotel San Diego. - Marie Antonette Waite, IWBA CEO, is leading the expo. - The event is open to real estate investors, developers, commercial brokers, business owners, architects, engineers, attorneys, CPAs, bankers, construction professionals, students, entrepreneurs, working professionals, family offices, wealth advisors and community leaders. - Applications remain open for the Knight-led roundtables, and general admission, VIP access and Twilight Pass Only tickets are available.

The details: - IWBA is using a roundtable model instead of traditional lecture sessions. - Each Knight-led table will include nine vetted participants. - Participation is application-based and limited to people who demonstrate significant authority. - The roundtables are meant to keep discussions confidential, relevant and strategic. - The expo will also include sponsor presentations, keynote sessions and curated networking. - Thomas J. Inserra, president and chief executive officer of Beach Cities Commercial Bank, will give the keynote address on commercial banking and the financial ecosystem affecting real estate investment opportunities. - Knights include Lloyd Segal, Michael Pollan, David Smith, Tande Ogunwali, Jamie Seltzer, Eric Campbell, Jim McLaughlin and Manny Lopez. - NewSchool of Architecture & Design is the official community education partner. - CM and architecture students will join IWBA Lions Den 2026 roundtables with investors and industry leaders. - Lorna McFarlane Reed will lead trauma-informed wealth and mental performance roundtables. - Eric Campbell will moderate sessions on asset protection, trust strategy and compliance. - Marie Waite will moderate branding and authority roundtables. - Steve Matley will moderate sessions on underwriting, masterminds, syndication fundamentals and investment strategy. - Thomas J. Inserra will cover debt programs for business acquisitions and mergers and acquisitions. - Lloyd Segal will moderate market cycle positioning sessions. - Other topics will include development, construction, architecture, adaptive reuse, commercial leasing, property management, tenant retention, economic indicators, zoning, sustainability, technology adoption, entrepreneurship, succession planning, intergenerational wealth transfer, strategic partnerships and long-term portfolio building. - The expo will feature the "Real Men of Real Estate" panel, moderated by Marie Waite, with members of the KNSD San Diego and KNBC Los Angeles cast. - IWBA will launch The Manifesto, a special edition publication highlighting industry insights and thought leadership. - Distinguished professionals and community leaders, including representatives from NewSchool of Architecture & Design, will receive Certificates of Recognition from the San Diego Assembly. - The day will end with an exclusive VIP Happy Hour and the IWBA Twilight Session, which will focus on real estate capital markets and networking. - For more information, readers can visit IWBA's LinkedIn page, Marie Waite's Instagram profile or the association's Facebook page.

Between the lines: - IWBA is positioning the expo as an intentionally curated environment where access is part of the value proposition. - The emphasis on small groups, vetted participants and “zero solicitation” suggests the event is meant to attract senior decision-makers rather than casual attendees. - The inclusion of students, community leaders and industry executives points to a broad effort to blend education, pipeline-building and relationship development.

What's next: - IWBA will continue accepting applications for the Knight-led roundtables until seats fill. - Attendees will gather in San Diego on Aug. 6 for the full-day program, networking events and closing Twilight Session. - The event will likely serve as a test of demand for high-touch, education-driven business conferences in Southern California.

The bottom line: - IWBA is betting that small, curated conversations will matter more than big-stage presentations for professionals trying to build wealth, secure deals and expand their networks.