California REALTOR® and Dubai RERA broker Ghada "GG" Benitez returns to the International Property Show for a third year to host experts discussing why American capital is looking to Dubai.
San Diego and DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Ghada "GG" Benitez, CEO of GG Benitez International, California Licensed REALTOR®, RERA Certified Dubai Real Estate Broker and Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS®) will host and moderate "Follow the Smart Money: Why American Capital Is Looking to Dubai" at the International Property Show (IPS) on Sept. 9 from 2 to 2:45 p.m. at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Benitez will welcome real estate and investment experts to the stage for a conversation examining why American companies, financial institutions and individual investors are directing greater attention toward Dubai and the wider UAE. Participating guests will be announced by IPS.
The 45-minute conversation will take place in the Institutional Investor Conference Room during the 22nd edition of IPS, which brings together developers, investors, financial institutions, government entities and real estate professionals from around the world. The discussion will also be filmed for an upcoming episode of The Dubai Connect® Podcast and published on the GG Benitez International YouTube channel. The video podcast, created and hosted by Benitez, has generated more than 2 million views.
The conversation will explore what growing American engagement may signal about Dubai and the UAE's position in the global economy. That engagement now extends across multiple sectors: Microsoft has announced a $15.2 billion investment in the UAE; OpenAI is participating in the Stargate UAE artificial-intelligence infrastructure project in Abu Dhabi; Citadel has received regulatory approval to operate in Dubai; and Blackstone has been reported to be planning a Dubai International Financial Centre office.
American hospitality and entertainment brands are also expanding their presence in the UAE, including Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, the future MGM Grand, Bellagio and Aria resort in Dubai, and Disney's planned theme-park resort with Miral on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
"American investors are not simply looking for another property market. They are watching where major institutions, businesses and globally recognized brands are establishing a long-term presence," Benitez said. "Dubai's infrastructure, global connectivity, regulatory development and expanding financial ecosystem are changing how Americans evaluate the city. This conversation will bring together knowledgeable voices to help investors understand the larger economic signal, separate it from the marketing noise and determine what Dubai's continued development could mean for their own investment strategies."
The discussion will also distinguish between institutional expansion and the considerations facing individual Americans buying property in Dubai. Benitez plans to address what is attracting U.S. investors, what continues to hold some Americans back and why professional guidance, developer selection, market fundamentals and a clearly defined exit strategy remain essential.
Benitez has hosted Dubai real estate presentations, webinars, roadshows and private investor meetings in California, Florida and New York, with additional outreach planned in Texas and Michigan. She has also observed increased interest from leading Dubai developers seeking to reach American investors through educational events and U.S. roadshows.
Although helping Americans understand Dubai is an important part of her work, Benitez advises investors from multiple countries across international real estate markets. As a Certified International Property Specialist through the National Association of REALTORS®, she has completed specialized training covering international transactions, currency and exchange-rate considerations, cross-cultural relationships, regional market conditions, investment performance and tax issues. The CIPS network includes international real estate professionals in more than 60 countries.
Benitez also holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California San Diego, complementing her professional experience across real estate, international investor education and strategic communications.
"Ghada 'GG' Benitez brings an important cross-border perspective to the International Property Show, combining a firsthand understanding of the American investor mindset with professional experience in both Dubai and California," said Mr. Marc Tarragó Galceran, Director of The International Property Show (IPS). "We are pleased to welcome her back for a third consecutive year to host this timely conversation with industry experts about the growing interest of American capital in Dubai and the emirate's expanding role in the global investment landscape."
Benitez's cross-border career began after her first visit to Dubai four and a half years ago. Having spent nearly two decades leading a public relations firm, she recognized that many American perceptions of Dubai did not reflect the city she experienced firsthand. She chose real estate as the vehicle to bridge her two worlds, combining her understanding of American investors with an on-the-ground presence in the UAE. What began as a mission to challenge misconceptions and help more Americans understand Dubai has since grown into an international advisory practice serving clients from multiple countries.
For Benitez, returning to IPS carries personal significance. When she first began building her international real estate practice, she walked the exhibition floor as an attendee and envisioned one day contributing from the stage. IPS 2026 marks her third consecutive year being invited to participate.
"When I first attended IPS, I came to listen, learn and better understand the global property industry. I remember walking the exhibition floor and knowing that one day I wanted to contribute from that stage," Benitez said. "To return for a third year, now entrusted to lead a conversation with other industry experts, is an extraordinary honor. My mission has always been to serve as a trusted bridge between markets and cultures. I am especially proud to have guided Americans who may never have considered investing in Dubai or the UAE without informed, boots-on-the-ground guidance."
A lifelong California resident, Benitez now divides her time between San Diego and Dubai. She serves as Associate Director, U.S. & Global Markets at Prime Capital Realty in Dubai and Director of International Markets at Realty Executives Dillon in San Diego. In California, she represents buyers, sellers and investors in coastal and waterfront communities including La Jolla, Del Mar and Coronado.
About Ghada "GG" Benitez
Ghada "GG" Benitez is CEO of GG Benitez International, a California Licensed REALTOR® with Realty Executives Dillon, DRE #01487964, RERA Certified Dubai Real Estate Broker, Certified International Property Specialist and host of The Dubai Connect® Podcast. With professional affiliations in San Diego and Dubai, she advises American and international clients across global real estate markets. Her education-led, exit-strategy-first approach helps investors evaluate opportunities based on their objectives, risk tolerance and long-term plans.
About the International Property Show
The International Property Show is the Middle East's largest international property sales event. Its 22nd edition will take place Sept. 7-9, 2026, at Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together global investors, developers, financial institutions, government entities and real estate professionals.
Media Contact
Sylvia Toma, GG Benitez Public Relations, 1 16198208901, [email protected], www.ggbenitezpublicrelations.com
SOURCE GG Benitez Public Relations
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