About

David C. Smith is the Head of Americas Insights for the Cushman & Wakefield Global Think Tank. David’s work is focused on how economics, demographics, technology and space usage trends impact the future of commercial real estate for occupiers and investors. He produces thought leadership that supports clients and Cushman & Wakefield leadership across various service lines. 

In addition to advising clients, David frequently participates at industry events and on speaker panels. For example, he has been a presenter at CoreNet Global’s North American Summit and RETCON, and he has been a keynote / main stage speaker at the NHMC Annual Conference, The Office Tenant Week – Latin America, and BOMA China’s Annual Conference. At Cushman & Wakefield, he leads the development and authorship of industry reports co-branded with CoreNet Global. 

Mr. Smith previously spent over a decade at Kingsley Associates, a leading provider of research and benchmarking solutions to real estate companies around the world. In addition to providing consulting services to global real estate companies, he was also involved in several industry-wide thought leadership partnerships with BOMA and NMHC. In that role, Mr. Smith served as one of the creators of the NMHC/Kingsley Associates Apartment Renter Preferences Report.

Awards & Recognition

David has been a guest or contributor for AFIRE, NAIOP, NPR’s All Things Considered and Marketplace, CoreNet Global, and News Radio 1330. His expertise has been featured in various publications, including The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Globe Street, Forbes, Bisnow, Commercial Observer, Financial Times, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Business Insider, Fast Company, Propmodo, Commercial Property Executive, New York Post, Reuters, and The Business Journals. 

David has been a main stage speaker at NHMC Annual Conference, The Office Tenant Week – Latin America, and BOMA China’s 1st Annual Conference. 

As Vice President / COO of real estate industry’s leading provider of research and performance benchmarking solutions focused on customer (tenant / resident) satisfaction, employee engagement and client / investor perceptions, provided consulting services to global firms owning and/or managing $850 billion in commercial real estate and 2.5 million multifamily units.

Education

David received a Bachelor of Arts degree in public policy from Duke University.