Speaker on AI in commercial real estate
Jim Small — Commercial Real Estate AI Keynote Speaker
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sophia CRE
Jim couldn't find an expert in AI for commercial real estate, so he became one. Thousands of real estate professionals have since attended his seminars and working sessions.
25+
years in commercial real estate
$2.5B
in real estate overseen by his property management company
60+
firms rely on Jim's AI guidance
1,000s
of real estate professionals trained on AI by Jim
Jim's writing has appeared in
An owner and operator, not a software salesperson. His talks are education first, never a product pitch.
Why audiences listen
He's one of them
Jim began his career as a business process re-engineer, helping some of the country's largest companies redesign how work got done. Fourteen steps became seven.
He later founded a property management company that grew to oversee $2.5 billion in real estate with a team of 150. When he set out to build a real estate investment firm with assets in 30 cities, the math stopped working: running it the traditional way would have meant hiring about 210 people. So he turned to AI.
It didn't go well at first. There were false starts, consultants who didn't deliver, and spending that felt like a money pit. Jim looked for an expert in AI for commercial real estate and couldn't find one, so he became one. Real estate leaders started coming to him for answers, and he has since helped more than 60 companies put AI to work.
"I looked everywhere for someone who could help me use AI in real estate, and I couldn't find anyone. So I learned it myself, and now we help other firms skip the money pit."Jim Small
Signature talks
What Jim speaks about
Every talk can be tailored to your audience's property type, role, and stage of AI adoption.
Keynote, panel, or podcast
Same Team, Bigger Portfolio: How AI Lets You Grow Without Adding Headcount
Most firms grow by hiring. The firms pulling ahead are growing their portfolios with the team they already have, and AI is how they do it.
- Where your team's hours go today, and which work AI can take off their plates
- How to add properties without adding payroll, letting natural attrition do the rest
- What changes for the people who stay, and why they end up with better jobs
Best for chief executives, owners, and operators
Podcast or keynote opener
I Couldn't Find an AI Expert for Real Estate, So I Became One
False starts, consultants who didn't deliver, and spending that felt like a money pit, until Jim worked out what actually works.
- The mistakes operators make on their first AI projects
- How a 30-city portfolio that "needed" about 210 people forced a new model
- What he'd tell a chief executive starting with AI tomorrow
Best for owners and operators
Keynote, panel, or podcast
The 3 Biggest AI Mistakes CRE Leaders Make
Most commercial real estate firms are making the same three AI mistakes, and each one quietly burns time, money, and the team's trust in AI. Jim made them first, so you don't have to.
- Building it yourself: why a homegrown AI layer costs more and takes longer than expected
- Training without changing the work: why teams slide back into old habits
- Bolting AI on the side: why tools next to the work stay stuck in pilots
Best for any leadership audience. Attendees get a free download: The 7 Biggest AI Mistakes CRE Leaders Make.
More topics
Formats
On stage, on screen, or on air
In person or virtual, for audiences of any size.
Jim (center) on a panel at the YPO Real Estate Roundtable, Los Angeles, October 2026
Jim Small speaking alongside AI industry leaders at a Young Presidents' Organization Real Estate event.
A full room for Jim's session
Where Jim has spoken
Thousands of real estate professionals have attended Jim's seminars and working sessions.
- YPO Real Estate RoundtablePanelist, Los Angeles
- The Ground Lease Capital ShowPodcast guest, two episodes
- Institutional Real Estate, Inc.Podcast guest
- Business Growth PodcastPodcast guest
- The Practical Wealth ShowPodcast guest
Watch Jim
See Jim in action
Jim's talks are education first, built on what he has learned as an owner and operator.
Invite Jim to Speak ›For event organizers
Everything you need to promote the session
What real estate leaders say
Trusted by real estate leaders
"[Jim] just creates a ton of energy and it's a lot of fun and people are learning from each other."
Easton MansonPresident and Managing Director, TMG Limited
"When I went through one of his workshops that were online, I got excited about the possibilities for our company."
Brad FainPresident & CEO, Fain Signature Group
"This enables our workforce to do a lot more without adding people. I would highly recommend it."
Charlie MeyerCEO, Lovett Industrial
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can Jim tailor a talk to our audience?
Yes. Jim shapes each talk around your audience's property types, roles, and how far along they are with AI.
Does Jim speak virtually?
Yes. He speaks in person and at virtual events, webinars, and podcasts.
Will the talk be a sales pitch?
No. Jim's talks are education first, built on what he has learned as an owner and operator.
How far ahead should we book?
Reach out as soon as you have an opening, since Jim's calendar fills up. At least a week's notice is ideal, and more is better for keynotes and custom talks.
Invite Jim to speak
Bring Jim to your next event
Tell us a little about your event and audience, and we'll be in touch about Jim's availability.
Prefer email? info@sophiacre.com
Thanks. We'll be in touch about Jim's availability.