As the multifamily industry's premier technology event approaches, OPTECH 2025 promises to be a great gathering that reflects the evolving nature of real estate technology. Taking place November 17-19 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, this year's conference brings new opportunities for property owners, operators, and technology partners to interact.
A New Era for OPTECH
The most substantial shift this year is OPTECH's transformation into a members-only event under the RETTC (Real Estate Technology and Transformation Center) banner. We spoke to Julianne Goodfellow, Head of Community and Policy at RETTC, who explained the rationale behind this change:
"We wanted more owner operators compared to suppliers, because we know the suppliers are coming to meet with owner and operators, and so if the supplier ratio is out of whack, that really hurts the overall relationship."
This strategic pivot addresses a common challenge at industry conferences—the balance between vendors and decision-makers. By requiring membership for attendance, RETTC aims to cultivate a more committed community focused on year-round engagement rather than transactional interactions.
Breaking Down Traditional Barriers
One of the most exciting developments is the opening of RETTC committees to technology partners. Historically reserved for owner-operators only, these committees now welcome suppliers who demonstrate a genuine commitment to industry advancement. Goodfellow emphasizes this represents a fundamental shift in how the industry views collaboration:
"We're opening up applications in mid-fall to apply to be on these committees, and we're opening the committee meetings so that anybody can attend the committee meetings."
This change acknowledges that technology partners are integral to solving industry challenges, not merely vendors pitching products. For managed service providers like Internet Subway, this creates opportunities to demonstrate thought leadership and technical expertise.
What's on the Agenda
The conference programming reflects the multifaceted nature of modern property technology. Key themes include growing networks, embracing big ideas, fixing tech stacks, improving resident experiences, making communities smarter, reducing risk, revolutionizing processes, and unlocking data potential.
Case Studies Take Center Stage
A notable addition to this year's programming is an emphasis on real-world case studies. These sessions allow both suppliers and owner-operators to share successes and failures openly. According to Goodfellow, "People always want to hear about successes and failures, and so we're letting folks come in, and oftentimes it's a supplier saying, Hey, this is what we did. We worked with an owner operator, and this is how it worked."
These practical examples provide attendees with actionable insights they can apply to their own properties and business strategies.
The Connectivity Conversation
For those focused on connectivity and managed WiFi solutions, the Intelligent Buildings committee meeting represents a must-attend session. This committee, formerly known as the telecom committee, provides updates on regulatory developments and industry trends affecting connectivity providers.
Adam Bell, CEO of Internet Subway, emphasizes the importance of future-proofing infrastructure investments:
"The cost per megabyte of bandwidth is going to continue to compress over time. However, the value of a homeowner's expense for that service is going to stay relatively flat." This perspective on long-term NOI protection distinguishes forward-thinking providers from those focused solely on immediate deployments.
Consider booking a meeting at Optech 2025 with Adam Bell and his team to discuss what pitfalls to avoid when planning your connectivity infrastructure.
AI Governance Takes Priority
The conference will unveil a significant industry initiative during the AI Town Hall—the final general session. RETTC's AI Governance Working Group, comprising leading owner-operators and technology partners, will present a framework for responsible AI implementation. This proactive approach aims to demonstrate to policymakers that the industry takes AI seriously while understanding both opportunities and risks.
Navigating the Regulatory Landscape
With the shift in federal administration, state and local regulations have become increasingly important. RETTC is actively engaged in policy advocacy, particularly around bulk billing models that serve lower-income and senior housing. Understanding these regulatory dynamics will be crucial for technology partners and property owners alike.
Making the Most of Your OPTECH Experience
Bell from Internet Subway offers property owners practical advice for maximizing conference value: "It's awesome to understand what their goals are and how we can enable our technology to achieve their goals." This consultative approach, focused on solving problems rather than pushing products, resonates with property owners seeking genuine partnerships.
Goodfellow reinforces this perspective, noting that the most successful conference participants "view understanding the value of showing knowledge and kind of pitching in almost being a resource."
Research-Backed Insights
For those seeking deeper analysis of connectivity trends and market dynamics, Maravedis' MDU research service provides comprehensive coverage of the multifamily technology landscape. Our ongoing research includes surveys of property owners, analysis of technology vendors and consultants, TAM and tracking of emerging solutions across the connectivity ecosystem.
What you get
- Four quarterly research briefs (PDF, 10–20 pages)
- Companion Excel datasets (revenue, shipments, pricing)
- Two Market Score reports (PDF + PowerPoint dashboards, NPS & sentiment)
- 2025 Property Owners Telecom Strategy Survey
- 2025 Telecom Consultants Research Report
- MSP Profiles
- Quarterly analyst briefings
- Up to six hours of on-demand analyst support
-> Total of 8 reports per year
The Bottom Line
OPTECH 2025 is the premier event of the year for the multifamily technology sector, showcasing the industry’s ongoing shift toward stronger collaboration between vendors, property operators, and service providers. The conference will feature practical discussions on managed connectivity, smart home innovations, and integrated property management platforms. I look forward to seeing you there.
📅 Event Details: • Dates: November 17-19, 2025 • Location: MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas • Format: Member-only event under the RETTC banner https://rettc.org/events/optech-2025
About the Author
Adlane Fellah, CWTS and CWNA, is the Chief Analyst at Maravedis Research, a leading wireless analyst firm he founded in 2002. He has authored numerous landmark reports on wireless convergence and managed connectivity across multiple industries. A recognized thought leader, Mr. Fellah is frequently invited to speak at major wireless and connectivity conferences and to contribute to influential industry publications. He also serves as a long-standing judge for several prestigious telecommunications awards and was named an OPTECH 2025 Influencer by RETTC.