Panama has long suffered from a perception problem among North American investors, who often conflate the country with Caribbean tourist destinations rather than recognizing it as a sophisticated financial and logistics hub. That gap between image and reality is precisely what CHORD Real Estate, a Nashville-based firm, aims to close through its annual Invest Panama Summit. Following two consecutive summits that took American and Canadian investors on on-the-ground tours, the company has announced a third summit scheduled for January 21–24, 2027, in Panama City. The announcement matters because it signals sustained interest in a market that remains under-marketed internationally, and it offers a structured way for investors to separate hype from genuine opportunity.
The reaction from past participants has been remarkably consistent. According to Steve Luther, founder of CHORD Real Estate, attendees arrive with vague expectations and leave startled by what they find. "Everybody was just shocked. What is this place? How have we not heard about this?" Luther said. That shock stems not from aesthetics but from scale and substance. Panama City boasts a modern skyline, more than 80 international banks, and over 180 multinational regional headquarters operating under favorable tax conditions. Companies like Dell and Caterpillar have established significant operations there. The economy is anchored by the Panama Canal, through which roughly five to six percent of global trade passes annually. None of this aligns with the typical North American mental image of Panama, and that misalignment is what draws investors who track markets before they become widely discussed.
Each zone visited during the summit reveals distinct indicators. Playa Caracol and Amador attract interest for their tourism potential, coastal scarcity, and surrounding 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 a scale that has no real domestic equivalent. Costa del Este draws attention from those watching nearshoring trends, as more multinational companies position 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, reflected a diverse group of investors: some focused purely on returns, a digital nomad looking to home base in Panama, buyers considering seasonal use, and others evaluating residency pathways. The available projects were varied enough that each found something worth examining seriously. Beyond specific projects, the summit format offers relationship infrastructure. Meeting developers in person, walking construction sites, and sitting across a table from attorneys and local agents produce 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.
The third summit will follow the established structure: a welcome reception on the first evening, guided property tours across Panama City's development zones over the following days, and an excursion to the Pacific coast, including Playa Caracol, before the group returns. Spots are limited. More information is available at chordrealestate.com/investpanamasummit.
The implications of this announcement extend beyond a single event. As Panama continues to modernize its infrastructure and attract multinational corporations, the disconnect between its actual economic profile and its perceived image may not last. Investors who participate in such summits gain early exposure to a market that has not yet been broadly discovered by North American buyers. For those willing to look beyond stereotypes, Panama offers a combination of financial sophistication, strategic location, and lifestyle appeal that is increasingly rare. The summit serves as a bridge between curiosity and informed action, and its third iteration suggests that the word is beginning to spread. For more details about the firm, visit chordrealestate.com.
