Ras Al Khaimah is stepping into the spotlight as it prepares to host the inaugural International Real Estate Investment Summit (IREIS) on 30–31 October 2025 at the Al Hamra International Exhibition and Conference Center. Designed as one of the most strategic global gatherings for institutional investors, developers, and policymakers, the summit aims to position the fast-growing emirate as a key gateway for real estate capital flows and cross-border partnerships.
A New Global Investment Platform
IREIS is not a typical property expo. It is conceived as a high-level summit where market intelligence, deal origination, and strategic networking converge. More than 500 senior delegates — including 200+ institutional investors from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East — will gather to explore opportunities, negotiate partnerships, and analyse the forces shaping the next cycle of real estate growth. The event is organised by Cityscape (Informa Markets), with support from Marjan (headline sponsor), Al Hamra and Ras Al Khaimah Hospitality Holding (RAKHH) as strategic sponsors.
Organisers emphasise that the summit’s mission goes far beyond presenting projects. It will address the fundamental structural shifts transforming real estate investment — from shifting macroeconomic dynamics and evolving regulatory frameworks to new models of capital allocation and the accelerating role of technology. Discussions will also delve into emerging asset classes such as branded residences, integrated resort developments, and tokenised property ownership — all of which are expanding the global investor toolkit.
“Marjan’s developments, including Al Marjan Island, are at the forefront of RAK’s growth story. RAK is poised to become the UAE’s next big real estate success story,” said Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO of Marjan. “IREIS reflects that momentum and will showcase how investors can participate in the emirate’s next growth chapter.”
Competitive Access and Global Reach
Access to IREIS is intentionally structured to attract a high-calibre audience. A two-day delegate pass is priced at US$295 (≈€280), which includes entry to all conference sessions, curated networking functions, an exclusive market intelligence report, and discounted accommodation packages. The focus is on creating a deal-making environment rather than a mass-market exhibition — a place where investment decisions are made, not just discussed.
Key Themes on the Agenda
The IREIS conference programme is built around the realities of a changing global investment landscape. Sessions and panel discussions will examine both macro trends and sector-specific opportunities. Among the key themes:
- Global Capital Flows: How interest rate policies, inflation cycles, and geopolitical shifts are reshaping investment strategies.
- Middle East Investment Momentum: Why the Gulf’s strong fundamentals and diversification efforts are attracting unprecedented foreign capital.
- Tourism and Urban Growth: The role of integrated resort ecosystems in driving returns and urban transformation.
- Tokenisation and Fractional Ownership: New investment structures unlocking liquidity and lowering entry barriers.
- Artificial Intelligence in Real Estate: How data-driven tools are revolutionising valuation, asset management, and underwriting.
Notable speakers include Jason Kow, Founder and CEO of Queensgate Investments, and Joseph Sitt, Chairman and CEO of Thor Equities, alongside senior executives from Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding. Additional participants from sovereign wealth funds, REITs, and institutional investment platforms will be announced closer to the event.
Ras Al Khaimah’s Tourism-Led Investment Story
The timing of IREIS is strategic. Ras Al Khaimah is in the midst of a rapid transformation into a global tourism and investment destination. Central to this strategy is the landmark $3.9 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort, scheduled to open in early 2027. Backed by the UAE’s first federal commercial gaming license, the project is expected to significantly increase international visitor numbers, stimulate demand across residential and retail real estate, and reposition the emirate on the global investment map.
Executives at Marjan describe Wynn as a “transformational catalyst” that will elevate Ras Al Khaimah’s profile among institutional investors, hotel operators, and global brands — creating ripple effects across multiple sectors including logistics, hospitality, and urban development.
A Launchpad for Strategic Partnerships
Beyond thought leadership, IREIS is designed as a practical environment for deal execution. Structured one-to-one meetings, closed-door investor roundtables, and targeted matchmaking sessions will connect developers with capital, private equity funds with government agencies, and REITs with operating partners. This emphasis on facilitating tangible outcomes distinguishes the summit from traditional conferences.
“The strength of IREIS lies in its format — it’s not just about exchanging ideas, but about forming partnerships that shape future investment strategies,” said one of the event’s programme directors.
A Defining Moment for a Rising Market
The launch of IREIS marks a pivotal moment in Ras Al Khaimah’s emergence as a competitive global investment hub. With regulatory reforms advancing, flagship projects nearing completion, and foreign capital increasingly focused on the Gulf, the emirate is positioning itself at the crossroads of real estate, tourism, and innovation. For investors seeking early-mover opportunities in a market entering a new phase of global relevance, IREIS 2025 will offer both insight and access — and a glimpse into where international capital is heading next.
