Sold Out Conference Signals Industrial’s Newest Focus
ATLANTA, GA (March 16, 2026) – Doors and Spaces Industrial, a real estate ownership and development firm co-founded by veteran commercial real estate advisor Brian Whitmer, has announced its involvement in Small Bay Summit: Atlanta, which follows the inaugural Small Bay Summit: NYC held in New York City last fall. The day-long event, which is the second summit in the series to sell out, is a crucial gathering for the industry’s top owners, investors, capital markets and brokerage specialists focused on the emerging small bay industrial (SBI) subsector.
Doors and Spaces Industrial’s involvement in Small Bay Summit: Atlanta is bolstered by a collaborative alliance with conference creators, which further solidifies the firm’s position as a thought leader and acknowledged trailblazer in the SBI sector. Alongside Whitmer, Doors and Spaces Industrial is steered by Co-Founders and Managing Partners Jonathan Weinstein and Matthew Deitrick.
“The incredible turnout for the first-ever Small Bay Summit in New York City confirmed what we already knew: this asset class represents the next pivotal opportunity for institutional investing in commercial real estate,” said Whitmer, who will be serving on the developer panel in Atlanta.
The Power of Small Bay Industrial
The summit focuses on the specialized category of small bay industrial properties, which typically consist of multi-tenant light industrial facilities offering units ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 square feet. These properties are often strategically located near dense population centers and serve as the essential economic backbone of local communities.
Small bay facilities primarily serve small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), including contractors (plumbers, electricians, HVAC), e-commerce fulfillment centers, last-mile distribution services and professional services requiring accessible storage, offices and light assembly space.
As an investment class, small bay properties are proving particularly attractive due to their revenue durability as well as operational upside created by professional management in a sector that remains highly fragmented. The Doors and Spaces team often refers to SBI as the “apartments of industrial” due to an incredibly diverse tenant base, insulating owners from single-tenant risk.
Furthermore, the barriers to entry for new construction are high, leading to exceptionally low vacancy rates and strong rent growth across all markets. “This stability, coupled with the growing demand for localized logistics and storage space, makes small bay a compelling alternative investment for institutional and private capital,” he said.
Launching the Dialogue
Doors and Spaces Industrial’s involvement as one of the founding organizers of the inaugural SBI Summit last fall — and now shaping the Atlanta summit’s agenda — underscores the need for sophisticated dialogue on this asset class, from acquisition strategies and capital flows to tenant needs and operational complexities.
“The Small Bay Summit is a tremendous success because it brings together the specialized capital and operating expertise required to fully realize the potential of this asset niche,” Whitmer added. “We are proud to be part of this initiative and look forward to continuing the conversation as the SBI market continues its rapid evolution. The focus is shifting to essential industrial and Doors and Spaces is at the forefront of the formation of the next institutionally recognized alternative asset type.”
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