The Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate (MBIRE) at Roosevelt University will host its 25^th Annual Real Estate Gala on Thursday, Oct. 22, where it will recognize Robert “Bob” Wislow, chairman and CEO of Parkside Realty, Inc., as its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree. For a quarter-century, the MBIRE Annual Gala has brought together Chicago’s most influential leaders in real estate to honor those at the top of their field and celebrate the university’s nationally recognized real estate education programs.

Wislow is a lifelong Chicagoan and senior real estate executive. He co-founded U.S. Equities Realty, growing it into Chicago’s largest privately owned commercial real estate firm, and later launched Parkside Realty, Inc. where he serves as chairman and CEO. Over his career, Wislow has overseen billions of dollars in transactions and landmark developments, including Millennium Park and the former Sears Tower, now known as Willis Tower. He is active in a variety of civic and cultural leadership organizations across Chicago.

Through generosity of its sponsors and attendees, the MBIRE Annual Gala has raised over $6 million since its inception, directly supporting scholarships, innovative programming, student resources and career pathways for more than 400 MBIRE graduates.

“This fall, we mark a major milestone for the Gala’s 25^th anniversary by celebrating our history of bringing together industry leaders and of creating new opportunities for the next generation of real estate professionals,” said Collete English Dixon, executive director of MBIRE. “We’ll also honor Bob’s distinguished real estate career, which embodies the values we teach at MBIRE: integrity, vision and stewardship. His leadership exemplifies the spirit of mentorship and philanthropy at the heart of the Gala.”

This year’s MBIRE Gala will be held in Chicago’s popular Fulton Market District on the famous 17^th floor of 167 N. Green St., which is known for its Town Hall that doubles as a full-size basketball court with floor-to-ceiling windows and its terrace – both of which offer sweeping views of the city’s skyline.

Event sponsorships range from $2,500 to $25,000, and individual ticket sales begin July 6. To sponsor the event, visit: https://alumni-giving.roosevelt.edu/galasponsorships.

About Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate:

Established in 2002, the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University (MBIRE) is a leading Chicago-based institution of higher learning offering master’s and undergraduate degrees as well as certificate programs in real estate. MBIRE also informs, connects and advances real estate professionals through events featuring industry-leading speakers and panelists. Conveniently located in the heart of Chicago’s Loop, MBIRE offers flexible and specialized programs geared toward successfully preparing professionals for today’s real estate challenges. MBIRE has graduated more than 350 students, many of whom hold leadership positions in development, investment, brokerage and property management in the residential and commercial real estate sectors. MBIRE graduates work at firms such as JLL, Lendlease, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, Libcor, Avis & Young, Barings and Chicago Public Schools just to name a few. For more information, visit www.roosevelt.edu/centers/real-estate/resources.

Bob Wislow_Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate: Collete English Dixon, executive director of the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate (MBIRE) at Roosevelt University, will present the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award to Robert “Bob” Wislow, chairman and CEO of Parkside Realty, Inc. at the 25th Annual MBIRE Real Estate Gala on Oct. 22, 2026.