The corporate real estate sector is standing at a pivotal moment. At the CoreNet Global Summit EMEA in Amsterdam, Colliers surveyed more than 150 senior industry leaders from across the region, including occupiers, investors and service providers.

The results reveal three mega trends that promise to accelerate change and create new winners. For those ready to act, the opportunity is clear: shape the future or risk being left behind.

From the rapid rise of AI and automation to the renewed focus on workplace experience and the emergence of innovation hotspots, the findings point to a sector ready for reinvention. For occupiers, investors and service providers, the message is clear: those who act now will shape the future.

Technology and AI: from hype to real-world impact

Nearly half of poll respondents (46%) named AI and automation as the single biggest driver of change for CRE in the next three to five years. This isn’t just talk – it’s a signal that digital transformation is finally moving from the margins to the mainstream.

CRE leaders are no longer asking if technology matters, but how fast they can harness it to unlock value. From predictive analytics to smart buildings, the sector is poised for a leap in efficiency, transparency and client experience.

The market should be excited: those who move quickly will set the pace for the next era.

People and workplace experience: the new competitive edge

 The Colliers poll shows that people are back at the centre of the CRE conversation. Shifting demographics and workforce trends were identified as a key driver of change by 19% of respondents, with workplace strategy and experience topping the list of innovation priorities (25%).

This is more than a nod to hybrid working – it’s a recognition that talent attraction, retention and wellbeing are now core to real estate strategy. The most forward-thinking organisations are reimagining the workplace as a driver of culture and performance, not just a cost centre.

For the market, this means new demand for flexible, data-driven solutions that put people first.

Regional and sectoral leadership: innovation hotspots emerge

The poll results reveal a race to lead. The United Kingdom stands out as the region best positioned to drive innovation (46%), with Germany (19%) and the Nordics (11%) also in the running.

Technology is the clear sector frontrunner (79%), but life sciences and healthcare (38%) and financial services (20%) are rapidly gaining ground. This regional and sectoral dynamism is exciting: it signals that innovation will not be uniform, but concentrated in hotspots where ambition, investment and expertise align.

For investors and occupiers, the message is clear – look to these leaders for the next wave of best practice.

Why this matters now

The market should be energised by these findings. The barriers to change – financial and budgetary constraints (44%), resistance to change (38%), and unclear ROI (23%) – are real, but the appetite for innovation has never been stronger.

Only 20% of organisations have a robust process for delivering innovation, but momentum is building. The winners will be those who move decisively, invest in technology and talent, and build clear pathways from vision to execution.

Conclusion

Corporate real estate is at a tipping point. The convergence of technology, talent and regional leadership is creating new opportunities for those ready to act.

The Colliers poll at CoreNet Global Summit EMEA shows that the future is not just coming – it’s already here. The market should be excited, because the next chapter will be defined by those who embrace change and lead from the front.