Regional Development Takes Center Stage at St. Louis Commercial Summit

At the 2026 St. Louis REALTORS® Commercial Summit, a panel of local development leaders examined the region’s economic trajectory, highlighting collaborative projects such as Boeing’s $1.8 billion expansion and the role of data platforms like CoStar in shaping commercial real‑estate strategy.

A Forum for Regional Insight

On April 22, the St. Louis REALTORS® convened their annual Commercial Summit at Washington University’s Charles F. Knight Executive Conference Center. The gathering brought together commercial‑real‑estate professionals, policymakers, and economic‑development officials to discuss financing trends, legislative updates, and the broader health of the market in Missouri.

“Regional Development & Competitive Position” Panel

The summit’s centerpiece discussion, titled “Regional Development & Competitive Position,” was moderated by Apollo Carey, practice‑group leader at Lewis Rice. The panel featured three prominent voices:

• Jason Archer, Vice President of Business Development, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership)
• Stephen Westbrooks, President and CEO, St. Louis Development Corporation
• Kylee Garretson, Senior Director, Greater St. Louis, Inc.

The conversation was directed at commercial‑real‑estate agents and members of the Missouri Growth Association, focusing on how coordinated regional efforts can enhance the city’s attractiveness to investors and employers.

Key Takeaways

1. Data‑Driven Visibility – Archer emphasized the strategic importance of listing properties on CoStar, the industry’s leading real‑estate database. Accurate, up‑to‑date information, he argued, improves market transparency and helps brokers match tenants with suitable spaces more efficiently.

2. Collaborative Infrastructure Projects – The panel highlighted the Boeing expansion in North St. Louis County, a $1.8 billion investment that underscores the power of public‑private partnerships. Archer noted that the project’s success relied on synchronized actions among municipal authorities, economic‑development agencies, and the private sector.

3. Competitive Positioning – Westbrooks and Garretson discussed how St. Louis can leverage its central location, skilled workforce, and relatively low cost of living to compete with other Midwestern hubs. They stressed the need for ongoing advocacy, streamlined permitting processes, and targeted incentives to sustain momentum.

Broader Context

The summit also featured presentations from a range of stakeholders, including:

• Melissa Price Smith, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, who addressed public‑safety considerations for commercial districts.
• Evan Lilliard, Director of Tax Policy at the National Association of REALTORS®, who provided updates on federal and state tax reforms affecting real‑estate transactions.
• Charlie Hinderliter, Chief Advocacy Officer and Director of Commercial Services at St. Louis REALTORS®, who outlined the organization’s role in shaping policy and supporting its members.

These contributions framed the panel’s discussion within a larger ecosystem of regulatory, fiscal, and safety issues that collectively influence commercial‑real‑estate activity.

Looking Ahead

The insights shared at the summit suggest that St. Louis’s economic development strategy will continue to hinge on three pillars: data‑enabled market intelligence, cross‑sector collaboration on large‑scale projects, and proactive positioning against regional competitors. As the city pursues further investments and seeks to retain existing businesses, the dialogue initiated by Archer, Westbrooks, and Garretson offers a roadmap for aligning real‑estate practice with broader economic goals.

For more information on the summit and related initiatives, visit the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership website.