CHORD Real Estate, a Nashville-based firm, has announced the third annual Invest Panama Summit, set for January 21 through January 24, 2027, in Panama City. The announcement matters because it signals sustained and growing interest in a market that many North American investors have long overlooked, and it offers a structured way for them to see the country beyond its outdated reputation.
The summit follows two consecutive events that have consistently surprised participants. According to Steve Luther, founder of CHORD Real Estate, attendees arrive with a mental image of Panama as just another tropical destination, but that image quickly dissolves upon landing in Panama City. "Everybody was just shocked. What is this place? How have we not heard about this?" Luther said, describing the common reaction. That gap between perception and reality is central to the investment case: Panama boasts a sophisticated skyline, more than 80 international banks, over 180 multinational regional headquarters, and major operations for companies like Dell and Caterpillar. The Panama Canal, through which roughly five to six percent of global trade passes annually, anchors the economy. None of this aligns with the typical Caribbean island narrative, and that disconnect is precisely what draws investors who track markets before they become widely discussed.
The summit format is designed to turn curiosity into concrete knowledge. Groups tour primary real estate zones, meeting developers, walking construction sites, and sitting down with attorneys and local agents. Each zone offers distinct indicators. Playa Caracol and Amador attract interest for tourism potential, coastal scarcity, and infrastructure investment, including metro extensions crossing the canal, highway widening, and a new bridge connecting Panama City to the western province. Santa Maria appeals to buyers seeking long-term stability, anchored by an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and a master-planned community of unmatched domestic scale. Costa del Este benefits from nearshoring trends as multinational companies move regional operations closer to North American time zones. "I don't know of an area in Panama I don't like right now," Luther said. "That's the problem."
The second summit, held in May 2026, drew a diverse group: return-focused investors, a digital nomad seeking a home base, buyers considering seasonal use, and others evaluating residency pathways. The variety of projects ensured each found something worth serious examination. Beyond specific properties, the summit provides relationship infrastructure. Meeting developers in person and building trust face-to-face creates a confidence level that online research cannot replicate. "I don't suggest wiring a bunch of money from a Zoom call. Shake hands, meet the people, get a comfort level, build that trust," Luther said.
For those interested in the upcoming summit, more information is available at chordrealestate.com/investpanamasummit. The event underscores how CHORD Real Estate is positioning itself as a bridge between North American capital and a market that remains under-marketed relative to its fundamentals. As Panama continues to develop without broad international promotion, the investors who show up to see it may be the ones who benefit most from the perception gap.
