Join the Young Leader Group and explore the exciting developments by ULI member-led, Formativ. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a hard-hat tour of the greatly anticipated Denargo Market development and Formativ’s first investment, Fabrica (now owned by Conscious Bay). The tour will conclude with short tour and lunch in the ever-popular River North or RiNO area at The Central Market, a unique adaptive reuse development before heading back for the official kickoff of the Spring Meeting.

Participate in a fast-paced, interactive UrbanPlan Lightning Round with fellow industry professionals to experience one of ULI's key impact programs for introducing the complexities of real estate development and empowering participants to play an active role in shaping better communities through the built environment.

Register here.

Featuring ULI Terwilliger Center's Home Attainability Index data, we will present the latest findings for Colorado's metro areas: how are the different regions' housing markets performing?; what are the latest homeownership and rental trends?; how deep is the affordability challenge?; and what other interesting findings did the team discover that will impact Colorado's housing and economic outlook?

Moderne Ventures is a strategic venture capital and growth equity fund that invests in technologies shaping real estate, finance, insurance, and more—industries that represent over 20 percent of U.S. GDP. In this session, Moderne will spotlight companies that are redefining how we build, transact, and live—featuring innovations in artificial intelligence, robotics, energy systems, digital infrastructure, and global payments. These aren't future concepts—they're active solutions driving measurable change across the industry today.

Have you ever wondered what real estate attorneys do on a day-to-day basis to support real estate development? Real estate attorneys serve as legal advisors and advocates for their clients, helping them navigate the complexities of real estate development and risk management, and helping projects get across the finish line. This session will highlight the key themes in ULI Learning's new course from the attorneys who lead it.

Avivo Village provides transitional homeless housing in a reuse of a 48,600-square-foot distribution building. Low-barrier entry requirements and its downtown location make Avivo accessible to homeless people who may not be accepted elsewhere. To better serve the residents' needs, the team used trauma-informed design and an extensive engagement process. As a result, the interior of the building has open corridors with natural light and individual units, giving its residents a sense of community and safety. Comprehensive support services offer health care and prepare residents for the transition to permanent housing. Community leadership played a crucial role in modernizing zoning regulations and building codes to permit Avivo and protect the safety of the residents.

"For the right deal, there is money to be had…what does the right deal look like?" How do you position your deal to be the right one? Hear insights and learn strategies for navigating real estate capital markets today. In this session, hear from the full range of lenders: large banks, regional banks, private equity, debt funds, and others. Who is lending and who isn't? For what types of deals? What size? What terms? Refinance? Development? What changes in the debt landscape can be expected up ahead?

Whether you are company founder or it is your first day on the job, you have unique friends, family, and acquaintances that enrich your life. This session gives practical and unexpected examples of how these people you already know can also support your career (and how you can find ways to help them). The people you know can inspire you, teach you, and advocate for your career. The secret is being comfortable explaining what you do and being curious and engaged. We'll help you with conversation starters and tactics and encourage you to find your own way to talk about work that's authentic and find your way to projects you care about. We'll also talk about ways to intentionally grow your business networks and some tips and tricks for traditional business development environments such as industry events and conferences. We look forward to hearing about your experiences.

Nevada Avenue runs north-south through the heart of Colorado Springs, Colorado, stretching about 10 miles from Fort Carson in the south to the sprawling campus of the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) at its north end. Prior to the construction of Interstate 25 in the 1960s, this roadway was the main route between Colorado Springs and Denver, and for destinations as far away as Mexico and Canada. Today, the corridor continues to serve as an essential connection between downtown and UCCS. It also has the potential to become much more than just a place to travel through; it can become a hub for research, health and wellness, and sports performance tech, as well as a catalyst for a new innovation neighborhood. Join this session to learn more about a recent ULI Advisory Services panel in Colorado Springs that offered recommendations for transforming North Nevada Avenue into a corridor for the future.

ULI has selected Rick Reinhard, principal of Niagara Consulting Group, as the recipient of the 2023–2024 ULI Apgar Thought Leader Award, which recognizes the authors of outstanding works written for Urban Land magazine. Reinhard was recognized for his article "Affordable Housing: YIGBY ('Yes in God's Backyard') Movement Seeks to Counter NIMBY Movement," from the Winter 2024 issue of Urban Land. Reinhard acknowledges the barriers to repurposing faith properties for housing, including the emotional ties communities have to their religious institutions, physical constraints of adaptive use, and regulatory obstacles. He provides examples of the successful adoption of the YIGBY movement, along with steps to increase opportunities for religious institutions, housing advocates, and real estate developers.

With ongoing policy uncertainty and the future of cornerstone programs such as Energy Star in question, real estate sustainability stands at a crossroads. Join Measurabl's CEO and co-founder, Matt Ellis, and president, Maureen Waters, for an executive-level briefing on how new market dynamics—from the rise of sustainable finance to an increasingly complex and uncertain policy and regulatory environment—are working to revise the business case for sustainability. Drawing on investment-grade data from Measurabl Intelligence and case studies from leading real estate owners and lenders, this discussion will unpack the progress and pitfalls in sustainable real estate globally. This is about real data, real results, and real estate's path forward to sustainability, measured. Join this executive conversation to explore the following: What progress is happening and will it be sustained? Why is data quality the new foundation for sustainability success? What happens if Energy Star or other government-backed programs are diminished or defunded? How are real estate organizations positioning operating expenses and cost of capital in their sustainability priorities? How are capital markets—and lenders in particular—quietly reshaping the business case for sustainability?

This timely and ever-changing presentation by the world's most trusted voice on world affairs addresses what it takes to thrive amidst the forces in the society, economy, and culture which are creating the future.

Refuel and connect with an afternoon pick-me-up, located at a food station in Mile High Ballroom on the lower level. Enjoy delicious treats and live music, explore the space, and network with fellow attendees.

YLG Members are invited to meet and exchange ideas and best practices for recruiting new members, providing engaging programming, and operating an effective local district chapter at a series of roundtable discussions lead by the YLG Americas Networks Committee.

Endorsed by the Flex Space and Experience Council, this session will explore the drivers of today's high-performing workplace environments and challenge assumptions that the workplace cannot be a thriving, full-time destination. With data from the Gensler Research Institute's 2024 Global Workplace Survey and the 2024 CityPulse Survey, attendees will learn about the amenities and experiences that are drawing workers to the workplace and to downtown districts. Randy Howder, a regional managing principal at Gensler, will be joined by a landlord, a flex office operator, and an end-user tenant for an esteemed panel that will explore how the workplace experience is evolving to meet the needs of a post pandemic workforce that is requiring more than just places to focus and meet. The session will challenge conventional wisdom about workplace environments while highlighting the types of spaces, amenities, and services that are ushering in a new era of work in our cities.

The state of mountain resort communities is being impacted by changing demographics, aging infrastructure, housing shortages, climate change, and expanding year-round tourism to drive economic growth. The public sector (primarily municipalities), developers, and resort owners are investing hundreds of millions of dollars. The investments aim to modernize, diversify, and create resilient resort communities. The desired outcomes and the expected returns on investment are strategic to achieve success today and be relevant for the next generation.

Join ULI Boston/New England and the Terwilliger Center for Housing to play a new game exploring the tradeoffs of housing development. This game was developed in partnership with Stantec and Play the City, is in pilot phase and will be deployed in community settings- your experience and feedback will help shape the final product! 

 

"Homeward" is an engaging and thought-provoking board game that brings players face-to-face with the challenges of addressing America’s home shortage while building vibrant, sustainable communities. Players form competing teams, each with unique goals and perspectives. Together, they navigate the intricate web of housing production, balancing density, affordability, open space, and environmental impact to create thriving neighborhoods. 

 

Through strategic decision-making and collaboration—or conflict—players must weigh trade-offs as they create homes for their town. Will your team succeed in crafting a balanced, forward-thinking community, or will competing priorities lead to gridlock? "Homeward" invites you to explore the complex interconnectedness of housing and community building in a dynamic, immersive way.

The conversation around maximizing real estate benefits often focuses on net zero emissions and adaptive reuse, overlooking human health. The emerging model of wellness real estate addresses this gap by introducing new metrics to evaluate the built environment's impact on individuals. Using Lakehouse, Colorado's first WELL Certified community, the panel will explore how wellness-driven design can generate social and economic benefits. The project architect will explain the rationale behind Lakehouse's healthy infrastructure, while researchers from Colorado State University will present findings from a multiyear study on the positive effects of thoughtful design on residents' emotional and physical health. In addition, an international research scientist from the International WELL Building Institute will provide a pro forma analysis of the financial implications of WELL Certification, including its effects on consumer attraction, social capital, health care outcomes, and employment. Join us for this discussion on the transformative potential of healthy design in real estate and its dual economic and community well-being benefits.

The government is a huge holder of both land and real estate. In some jurisdictions, the potential market value of land can exceed the total gross domestic product of that jurisdiction. This session will explore the potential of using government-owned land to attract private investors in fiscally constrained environments. The discussion will focus on two archetypes of sectors: revenue-driven sectors and cost-driven sectors. Revenue-driven sectors include real estate subsectors, such as residential, commercial, and hospitality. These sectors rely on land as a primary revenue driver, where the ultimate product is the use of real estate space. Cost-driven sectors include industries such as manufacturing, which require land for hosting production facilities, and service sectors such as banks, which use office space to deliver services. Each archetype represents unique opportunities for leveraging land as a currency to stimulate private investments. Panelists will share insights on effective strategies and examine the role of government-owned land in facilitating private investments in these sectors, highlighting the potential for economic growth, job creation, and innovation.

As "revenge travel" is waning and group demand is soaring, this session will examine the forces that drive the current U.S. hotel industry. Higher-end hotels post record room rates while the lower end of the market is showing cracks. This session will examine the reasons for the current bifurcation and how this shapes the current in-construction pipeline and deal environment.

Leaders transforming major urban corridors through equitable transit-oriented development (TOD) share the perspectives of three cities. These communities—each with a unique story tied to race, place, and transportation—are implementing groundbreaking projects and revitalizing the physical landscape and social and economic fabric within historically marginalized populations. Los Angeles's Destination Crenshaw introduces light rail transit (LRT) into "the spine of Los Angeles's Black community," a 1.3-mile stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard being revitalized into "an unapologetically Black" thriving cultural and commercial hub. Baton Rouge's Florida Corridor, a 12-mile Department of Transportation right of way that has symbolized racial division as the "Mason-Dixon Line of the city/parish," has approved a revitalization plan centering on equity and access, alongside new bus rapid transit (BRT) and the MOVEBR infrastructure investments. Denver's East and East Central Colfax and Federal Boulevard Corridors—with monikers "the longest, wickedest street in America" and "one of the most dangerous streets in the city," respectively—are transforming into BRT Equitable TOD corridors with prioritization on safety and community benefit.

Join John McNellis, author of ULI's bestselling title Making It in Real Estate, as he candidly—and humorously—recounts the hard lessons he's learned from four decades of developing commercial real estate. Not only will John dissect his biggest disaster—the loss of a 300,000-foot shopping center to foreclosure—he'll explain why one should never buy real estate for the wrong reasons; why working on "Goldilocks" deals is critical; why one should be wary of partners, bankers, and investment advisors (basically, anyone with money); why only the track wins horse races; and why successful development is invariably based on taking risk . . . but only after accurately gauging it. John will leave plenty of time for an extended Q&A. Each attendee will receive a free eBook version of Making It in Real Estate.

Funding shifts and policy changes at the federal and state levels renew calls to further define the private sector’s role in addressing homelessness. Explore solutions to the U.S. housing and homelessness crisis at the fourth ULI Homeless to Housed (H2H) Symposium, hosted by Joy Horak-Brown (New Hope Housing, Houston, TX). Keynote speaker Jeff Olivet (former director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)) will provide crucial context on the current state of homelessness in the U.S. and invite participants to shape ULI’s forthcoming publication, "10 Principles for Addressing Homelessness: A Guide for Commercial Real Estate and Finance".

Airports are more than just transportation hubs—they are catalysts for regional economic growth, shaping land use, investment patterns, and infrastructure development. This session will explore how cities are leveraging the aerotropolis model to drive economic competitiveness, attract industries, and enhance connectivity. A panel of leaders from three dynamic aerotropolis regions—Atlanta, Cleveland, and Denver—will share insights on their strategies for integrating airport-driven development with surrounding land uses. Topics will include zoning and land planning, transportation, infrastructure investment, public/private partnerships, and workforce development. Attendees will gain actionable insights on how to harness airport-adjacent real estate development for long-term success.

As cities grow and prosper, existing, diverse communities often face displacement pressures. While much attention has been paid to residential displacement and the creation of affordable housing, there are fewer examples of anti-displacement and retention strategies for small businesses and the creation of affordable commercial space. Panelists from public, private, and civic organizations from across the country will speak about efforts to create affordable commercial space on retail corridors, in private development projects, and via community-owned real estate—complemented by other important types of support for small businesses, with an emphasis on supporting businesses of color and women-owned businesses. These strategies are important not only for advancing equitable economic development, but for ensuring unique and authentic retail environments that create both social and economic value. The panel will include an overview of national trends and case studies from different cities. This includes the Atlanta Beltline's efforts to support commercial affordability in Atlanta, the Center for Community Wealth Building's efforts to leverage community-owned real estate in Denver, and a private developer's efforts to create affordable commercial space within a new real estate development. The discussion will highlight the roles that the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors can play in creating affordable commercial space.

The flight to quality in the office sector is real, and it's attracting demand where there has been less of it in recent years. Owners and developers have an opportunity to capture demand through major renovations and redevelopment—not just ground-up development—and the result can be a much better environmental footprint. Architects and developers will share strategies used to successfully renovate and redevelop major office buildings in central business districts, navigating construction pitfalls unique to existing buildings, and the corresponding sustainability considerations and benefits. A global sustainability expert from CBRE will share the importance and impact of renovations and redevelopment versus demolition and new construction on global sustainability goals. Rockefeller Group will specifically discuss the $600 million redevelopment of the landmarked Time & Life Building in New York and the $325 million WMATA headquarters redevelopment in Washington, D.C.

Law firms play a crucial role in the production and preservation of affordable housing by structuring deals, securing financing, and navigating complex policy regulations. Yet, their insights are often overlooked. This panel will feature real estate attorneys driving change for their affordable housing development partners. During this panel discussion, speakers will explore legal reforms facilitating innovative financing, new development, and rehabilitation projects. Attendees will gain insights into how these changes can streamline processes, eliminate barriers, and foster innovative partnerships. Whether you're a developer, advocate, or policymaker, this session will provide essential knowledge to navigate the evolving legal framework and enhance your affordable housing initiatives.

While Denver is the focus of the national story of large growth and change in Colorado and the west, major projects are happening all along Colorado's front range—the urban corridor along the eastern face of the Rocky Mountains. This session will spotlight important projects all along this urban stretch, including Colorado Springs, Aurora, Golden, and Denver. The session will show how significant new developments are fitting into their communities and reflecting the unique locations in different cities up and down the range.

The PAE Living Building in Portland, Oregon, is the first developer-driven Living Building in the world. Phase 1 of the Bridge District in Washington, D.C., will be the world's largest multifamily building to achieve ILFI's Zero Carbon certification. Both projects prove the viability of developing mixed-use commercial structures that improve their urban and ecological context while delivering financial returns. With each project, the teams tackled seemingly unsolvable problems with practical solutions, building the case for balancing sustainable solutions with for-profit models, laying out a roadmap for others to follow. Key to both approaches is the premise that specifying sustainable and resilient strategies, including lowered embodied and operational carbon, reduced energy use, and improved air quality, daylight, and a biophilic interior, provide not only a better place to live and work, but also may translate into higher leasing rates, increased occupant satisfaction, better retention, and higher residual value. From design to construction to financing, presenters will share strategies that build the case that sustainability aspirations and developer returns do not have to be mutually exclusive.

Join us at the Welcome Reception to kick off the ULI Spring Meeting at the Bluebird Ballroom in the Colorado Convention Center. Don't miss the chance to reconnect with your peers!

Looking for good food and even better conversation? Join NEXT Americas mid-career members for a night on the town. There will be the opportunity to choose from 4 different restaurants and discussion topics.

To ensure intimate conversation, seats are limited and separate registration is required.

Check out the restaurants here.

Click here to register.

Before the redevelopment and revitalization of the Denver Union Station District, the Central Platte Valley was home to vast railroad switching yards. As the tracks were consolidated, it opened up the catalytic opportunity to redevelop near the historical birthplace of Denver. This tour will start at Millenium Bridge, which opened in 2002, with East West Partners and explore the real estate development at Riverfront Park. The tour will continue to Union Station where Continuum will share its experience developing in the area, specifically the Limelight Hotel and Tavernetta. Tour participants will also hear about the modern-day operations of passenger rail and the underground bus station. The tour will end in the Terminal Bar, just as it opens, for an optional drink.

Join NEXT for a walking tour. Highlighting Denver’s Historic Union Station redevelopment and the surrounding mixed-use district. Participants will walk from the Colorado Convention Center to the free 16th Street Mall bus service that goes the length of 16th Street, which is currently being revitalized. After getting off the bus, participants will meet at Union Station to learn how connectivity and innovation were drivers to transform the valley into a thriving district.  At the end of the tour, participants can take the free 16th Street Mall bus back to the Colorado Convention Center.

Separate registration is required, which can be selected during registration or added to your existing registration. 
 

Start your morning with WLI Americas for coffee and a delicious healthy breakfast. Join us to meet other women in a relaxed and welcoming environment with the goal to broaden and enrich professional networks and strengthen industry connections. We will also be announcing the recipients of the WLI Americas Innovation Grants! Come and celebrate all of WLI's successes!

UrbanPlan champion Jessica Durham shares strategies and opportunities for leveraging UrbanPlan workshops for Continuing Education credits with affiliate organizations such as AIA, AICP, NAR, and local legal bar associations.

The tariffs driven by the current U.S. administration have caused uncertainty in the markets globally. Trade wars directly impact our industry, but with the same uncertainty as the policies themselves. Willy Walker, chairman and CEO of Walker & Dunlop, one of the largest commercial real estate finance and advisory firms in the United States and internationally, will lead a candid conversation with Owen Thomas, CEO of Boston Properties, and share up to the minute insights on capital markets, prices, supply growth, and much more.

This interactive session gives members an opportunity to participate in a real-time mini Advisory Services panel and have instant impact for a local Denver panel sponsor. The session will begin with a brief presentation by the panel sponsor. Members will then be presented with one question pertaining to the land use challenge. With facilitation by ULI Advisory Services program staff, members will briefly deliberate and offer a set of recommendations, recorded in real time, in response to the question. The session will conclude with a brief summary of the recommendations and panel sponsor feedback.

Learn more about the impacts and progress made by the more than 20 global communities who have participated in ULI Net Zero Imperative program to accelerate the decarbonization of their built environment.

"For the right deal, there is money to be had…what does the right deal look like?" How do you position your deal to be the right one? Hear insights and learn strategies for navigating real estate capital markets today from capital providers. In this session, hear from the largest to the smallest equity investors today. Who are the active investors? What are they looking for? How do they find the right deals? How does the range deal sizes find them? What has worked for them recently? What terms? Refinance? Development? What are they looking for in the future?

This session will compare the two commonly used tools for financial modeling: Excel and ARGUS. While Excel offers flexibility, customization, and broad applicability across various financial analyses, ARGUS is specifically designed for real estate financial modeling, providing standardized workflows for valuation, lease analysis, and cash flow projections. The session will explore the strengths, limitations, and best use cases for each to determine which tool is more suitable for different financial modeling needs.

The YLG Impact & Connect session is a special event for young leaders (under 35) attending the conference. 

This session will be significant as the young leaders present a panel of the originators of the national Young Leaders group, affectionately called the OG's. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the origins of the group and the current platform as the YLG prepares to mark its upcoming 25th anniversary.

Following the panel, young leaders and other attendees will have the opportunity to engage in robust discussions on the future of young leaders and their impact on the CRE industry during facilitated roundtables. 

Panelists:

• Lee Wong
• Jason Tramonte
• Adrienne Schwartz
• Jeff Kaplan

More than 30 percent of the world's energy is consumed by buildings, and windows are the single largest source of energy loss in the built environment. To counter this, LuxWall has developed technologies to manufacture vacuum-insulating glass that performs like a wall. LuxWall Enthermal transparent insulation is five times more insulating than double-paned glass, reduces the energy loss of buildings by up to 45 percent, and improves occupant comfort. Enthermal is ideal for retrofitting buildings as its thin profile allows it to be easily installed in existing window frames, reducing reglazing costs by up to 50 percent for end users. In addition, the payback for most projects is three times faster than other available glass products.

An abandoned art-deco era Coca-Cola bottling plant in Indianapolis has been redeveloped into a thriving 12-acre mixed-use development, re-energizing the edge of the city. The project respects the site's history by restoring existing buildings to maintain their original features, while also embracing innovation by seamlessly integrating new buildings. A food market, boutique hotel, retail, and office space create opportunities for residents and have been a destination for tourists. An internal grid provides a welcoming pedestrian streetscape, connects the project elements, links to the surrounding neighborhood, and anticipates future development phases. Bottleworks District exemplifies opportunities at mid-market levels through thoughtful design and market success.

Explore how mass timber is transforming student housing and campus facilities through smart and sustainable development. This session features insights from a developer with experience delivering mass timber projects across multiple U.S. campuses. Highlights include a public/private partnership at Colorado School of Mines, where four mass timber student housing buildings achieved greater density under height restrictions, as well as projects like a dining hall at the University of Washington and a multiuse student success center at the University of Southern Maine. The discussion will cover design and construction lessons, cost deltas over baseline systems, and how exposed timber supports sustainability goals while creating warm, biophilic spaces that enhance the student experience.

Join Gretchen Sweeney and Glenn Greenberg from the ULI Learning team for a drop-in session to explore opportunities to become an instructor, co-create courses, or facilitate Q&A sessions with students taking on-demand courses. Are you a commercial real estate professional eager to share your expertise? ULI Learning offers top-tier educational experiences led by industry experts and esteemed faculty. We're seeking passionate Subject Matter Experts to teach or facilitate courses in areas like Construction Fundamentals, Foundations of Real Estate, Pro Forma Fundamentals, Principles of Real Estate Finance and Investment, Real Estate 101 and more. 

For learners, ULI Learning enhances your professional knowledge and skills, empowering you to make a greater impact in building better communities. Chat with us to find the right course or certificate for your professional development goals. Questions? Visit learning.uli.org or email [email protected].

The NEXT Connect will be comprised of four (4) 20-minute roundtable sessions where each roundtable speaker will share their insights and experiences on an assigned table topic as well as discuss their leadership role(s) within ULI.  NEXT Connect is meant to facilitate in-depth discussions on today’s most relevant topics, develop organic connections, and provide visibility for the most involved ULI NEXT members for succession planning within the organization (i.e. Product Council and Key Leader recruitment). 

Meet the Roundtable Speakers

The ULI Real Estate Economic Forecast is a semiannual survey of leading industry experts. The latest edition will have been completed just before the Spring Meeting. How do the experts see 27 key economic and real estate indicators moving by the end of 2025, 2026, and 2027? How have forecasts changed from six months earlier? And why? How are tariff realities and uncertainties expected to impact CRE? What signals are the experts watching for in real estate as they look ahead? Where do the experts agree and disagree? Hear a lively debate among leading economists and analysts who participated in the Real Estate Economic Forecast survey as they explain or defend their opinions. Ask questions or challenge their views about what's ahead for the real estate industry through the end of 2025 and all the way through 2027

Refuel and connect with an afternoon pick-me-up, located at a food station in Mile High Ballroom on the lower level. Enjoy delicious treats and live music, explore the space, and network with fellow attendees.

The Platte River has been, for many decades, the industrial back-of-house for the Denver with the exception of a few publicly accessible points. Now, the river has become the focal point of some of Denver's most ambitious development projects—all dedicated to improving and honoring the river. The session will spotlight projects from large, private sector–led development to complex, public/private partnerships and major public initiatives that will totally change the face of the Platte River and, as a result, the city itself.

In Fall 2020, Madison Development Corporation, along with the United Way and local Madison area Employers -financial institutions, health care systems & foundations, launched a Fund to fill gaps in affordable workforce housing projects in WI. The Dane Workforce Housing Fund (DWHF) raised over $11 million and helped create 747 new units, with a subsequent Fund II raising $13 million which has 230 units under construction. The Atlanta Affordable Housing Fund (AAHF), launched in early 2020, raised $15 million from local real estate leaders, which helped create over 800 affordable homes. The AAHF is now housed at the Community Foundation, which helped them attract an additional $150 million from diverse investors - financial institutions, foundations and individuals, to help create more affordable housing projects in Atlanta's core counties. This session will cover the Fund structures, the impact on their regions, and why investors stepped up.

In today's challenging real estate market, developers are confronted with rising costs across various aspects of project development, from land acquisition to materials and labor. This panel discussion will delve into strategies employed by developers to navigate these hurdles and deliver profitable multifamily projects, particularly focusing on attainable and affordable housing initiatives. Key topics include adapting to market dynamics (as prices escalate, market-rate developers are embracing affordable housing models, but may face challenges competing with seasoned affordable housing developers); cost-effective design and amenities (successful developers are employing proven design elements and amenities while minimizing unnecessary expenses to ensure profitability); suburban expansion (developers are exploring opportunities on the outskirts and suburbs, branded as attainable housing, to cater to residents priced out of urban cores); strategic site selection (site selection and execution methods play crucial roles in ensuring the feasibility and profitability of projects); and the role of consultants (land development consultants contribute by offering value engineering solutions).

Devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles region spurred a remarkable collaboration between the Urban Land Institute (ULI Los Angeles), the UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate, and the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate. This session will delve into the crucial lessons learned from this crisis and the development of Project Recovery, a comprehensive roadmap for rebuilding and fostering long-term resilience. Join moderator Clare De Briere, Member of the ULI Global Board of Directors and Founding Partner of Catalyst Property Company, for an insightful Q&A with key leaders who spearheaded this vital effort: Lew Horne, Incoming Chair of ULI Los Angeles and President of CBRE Greater Los Angeles, and Kev Zoryan, Founder of Arselle Investments and past chair of ULI Los Angeles. The session will explore key recommendations from the report, including debris removal, permitting reform, supply chain logistics, insurance market stabilization, and strategies for long-term community rebuilding. Gain valuable insights into the power of industry collaboration, the necessity of public/private partnerships, and ULI's role in driving solutions to climate-driven crises.

This conversation will spotlight examples of intentional design from three national experts, including trauma-informed design, urban and community gardens, and art and placemaking. The panel will describe each approach through a series of local case studies spanning affordable housing for Denver's most vulnerable populations; urban and community gardens that reduce barriers to fresh, healthy, and organic food; and public art initiatives that bring people together while giving back to the creative economy. The panel will reflect on the epidemic of loneliness and reference these projects as meaningful examples of "third spaces" for increased community building, health, and well-being in the built environment. The session will begin with a formal Pecha Kucha–style presentation (an engaging storytelling format in which a presenter shows 20 slides for 20 seconds per slide), followed by a moderated panel discussion and Q&A.

In today's high-cost, high-volatility environment, the builder/developer relationship is evolving quickly. Join top community developers and homebuilders for a fast-paced, interactive session unpacking how deals are really getting done right now—from land acquisition and entitlement strategies to capital structuring, land banking, and vertical timing. How are developers adapting to meet builder demands? What are builders asking for that's new—or non-negotiable? Explore real-world case studies and fresh approaches that are reshaping how these two sides collaborate to deliver housing at scale. Bring your questions and get ready to rethink the playbook.

A growing body of research indicates that physical space profoundly impacts our brain health. However, the regenerative capacity of our buildings and public places remains largely untapped. The way we think, feel, learn, and behave are influenced by our context. What if every real estate and capital infrastructure investment was intentional about its regenerative potential for equitable public health, economic development potential, dignity for all, and nature? A mindset shift, from "less bad" to positive outcomes, is required, and brain-healthy cities will help us better leverage the stressed and constrained cognitive power of our citizenry. These efforts have been shared in international forums such as the United Nations General Assembly Science Summit and World Economic Forum, as well as local policy and advocacy events such as the Innovate4Cities conference co-hosted by UN-Habit and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy.

Join Fred Balda, President of Hillwood Communities, and Laura Cole, SVP of Lakewood Ranch, for a candid discussion exploring the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation within the traditionally manual and tech-latent world of master-planned community development. This panel will delve into how innovative technologies—from interactive maps and resident lifestyle applications to robust enterprise resource planning systems—are revolutionizing workflows and streamlining collaboration among community developers, homebuilders, and residents alike. Moderated by John Cecilian Jr., CEO and Co-founder of Cecilian Partners Inc., this session promises insightful perspectives and actionable takeaways. Learn firsthand from industry leaders how embracing data-driven solutions is shaping smarter, more connected, and more sustainable communities for the future.

Decarbonization, energy efficiency, occupier's wellbeing, and regulatory pressures are not just part of an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework, but key drivers reshaping the real estate landscape. This panel, which will comprise a sustainability advisor, a real estate value and risk expert, a sophisticated corporate occupier, and a real estate landlord, aims to provide insights on how to leverage landlord-tenant engagement to meet joint goals and successfully decarbonize the built environment.

In the face of a staggering shortfall of 7 million affordable housing units for low- and middle-income families, and with nearly 50 percent of renters now cost burdened, this session brings together architects, urban planners, developers, and designers to explore innovative design solutions aimed at alleviating the affordable housing crisis. The session will discuss strategic approaches for creating flexible, efficient living spaces that balance aesthetic appeal with cost-effectiveness, drawing on successful case studies. Join us as we navigate the intersection of design, technology, and community needs to forge sustainable pathways toward affordable housing solutions.

The race to reduce embodied carbon in the built environment is on, and real estate investors and developers are in the driver's seat. Through smart portfolio planning, integrated design, and targeted procurement decisions, real estate decision-makers are poised to create lasting economic value and reduce environmental impact through their projects. Join the RMI Carbon Free Building team and expert panelists to learn the wide range of levers available to real estate professionals seeking high-value, low-carbon development projects. Using real-world examples, the session will explore how strategies such as increased building utilization, adaptive reuse, material-efficient designs, and innovative material specification can turn a climate challenge into a business advantage.

In January 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) made a significant commitment to accelerate the adoption of innovative practices and policies to increase affordable housing. As part of this commitment, Gensler, HR&A Advisors and Brookings were awarded funding to analyze office-to-residential conversion activities across six U.S. cities, test the financial feasibility of these conversions, study policy and incentives, and build an online community guide to allow local policymakers to estimate the impact of potential conversion policies on their community. Join representatives from the analytic team and HUD to discuss the ongoing analysis, share preliminary findings, explore how Gensler and its partners are advising the government on the topic, and – with panelists from cities advancing their own conversion strategies -- debate what must be done to unlock additional housing in the United States. The session will outline the team's approach to the analysis; present the recommended changes to city, state, and federal policy; and provide an update on how one city is advancing its own program through existing policy tools.

A recent Harvard study shows that millennials are now returning to the suburbs, and gen Z plans to stay there. This is due to several emerging trends, but a major factor is the rising cost of rent and homeownership in major cities, which makes it difficult for gen Z to afford living in prime downtown locations. As urban costs rise and younger generations seek affordable alternatives to city living, the suburbs are evolving to meet this demand by adopting compact, mixed-use developments that mirror urban downtowns. This session will explore the recent trend of suburban reinvention, where developers, corporate tenants, and investors are seizing opportunities to build new, walkable town centers complete with retail, office, and residential spaces. Drawing on case studies from across the country, the panel will highlight how this shift presents both financial and social opportunities while reshaping the suburban landscape.

This panel is intended to tell the story of the successful redevelopment of downtown Denver's Union Station. Union Station is a great example of the public and private sectors organizing around transit-oriented urban infill and compelling historic preservations. The panelists will be a collection of developers, city officials, transit officials, and design professionals who were instrumental in getting Union Station done.

Each ULI Fall and Spring Meeting, the Americas Young Leaders Group organizes a “buy your own (BYO)” Dinner Meet-up event. This event is open to all young leaders under 35 attending the Meeting. No fee or registration is required. 

Kick off your Spring Meeting experience with an exclusive and just plain ole fun reception hosted by the Young Leaders Group. Attendees can network and connect with peers and leaders over cocktails and show off their talent in a game of ping pong at Ace Eat Serve in Downtown Denver. You don’t want to miss this. There just may be prizes. 

Register here.

Please join us for a unique, hands-on experience for young leaders. Hear from leading experts, who understand the real estate world, and learn valuable tips on how best to develop and apply leadership tenets to advance in your careers. This talk will explore the idea that through intentional conversations, we can truly connect as human beings. Come prepared to engage in meaningful conversations on deep and meaningful concepts like trust, authenticity, communication, connection, leadership, engagement, and compassion that starts with an understanding of ourselves. With a higher level of self-understanding, we can listen to others. By conversing, we can dive deeply into the conversation. The idea of self-examination and awareness, of jointly exploring where and how our perceptions formed, then exploring together can allow for deeper relationships through meaningful conversations. 

 

- Gain a deeper understanding of yourself and how you operate within teams. 

- Learn fundamentals regarding the brain science of trust and why people extend or withhold it. 

- Understand how/why levels of trust amongst project team members can erode over time and how stakeholders can prevent this. 

- Discuss and be able to apply strategies for maintaining and improving trust.

This first-of-its-kind facility, the John Parvensky Stout Street Recuperative Care Center and Renaissance Legacy Lofts, provides homeless individuals with supportive services, medical care, and transitional and permanent supportive housing in a holistic space for healing, growth, and community connection. Come learn about the innovative design strategies, unique services, and creative funding sources for this award-winning development.

Lindsey Scannapieco (ULI Philadelphia Transformational Leader Award winner 2023), presents a session on leaning into the attributes of a closed historic school to create a vibrant, community-centered, mixed-use development in Philadelphia. The presentation will share the case study of the Bok Building (ULI America Special Mention 2023), which today is home to over 200 small businesses and attracts 250,000 visitors per year. The presentation will showcase an approach that embraces the existing building condition and finds resiliency in small, diverse tenant types.

Ten years ago, ULI released the Building Healthy Places Toolkit—which provides developers, owners, property managers, designers, investors, and others involved in real estate decision-making with strategies to create healthier buildings and communities. Join this session to explore how the field has evolved over the past decade and to learn how to enhance and preserve value by meeting growing demand for health-promoting places.

In November 2023, ULI held its first utility and real estate developer convening with Xcel Energy based in Denver. The discussion was illuminating, finding that it is vital for real estate to source green power from utilities and collaboration is key for opportunities such as grid resilience, battery storage, and partnerships with policymakers, to name a few. Now, over a year later, ULI explores progress and opportunities in this follow-up short session , highlighting the perspectives of both Xcel and Denver-based developers.

This session will share leading research by this year's ULI/Kohn Fellow on the commercial business case for developers and owners to pursue adaptive use for buildings, preserving their historic and cultural value in downtowns while achieving strong sustainability outcomes.

Refrigerants can be found in nearly every commercial and industrial building and the vast majority of residential buildings globally. Despite being the fastest-growing greenhouse gas globally, the impact of refrigerants is often underestimated or completely overlooked by building owners. Developers must begin to address refrigerants or run the significant risk of increasing or even accelerating (through the introduction of heat pumps) their impact, while decreasing other scope 1 and 2 emissions, which will likely lead to financial implications such as duplicating capital expenditure spend to achieve critical climate targets. This short session will highlight the importance of addressing refrigerants and a data-driven means of doing so.

Climate change has established a new normal that threatens communities and challenges the future of our built environments. Climate impacts including droughts and floods significantly affect communities where population growth continues, building tension between heightened risk and real estate demand. This session will feature best practices and case studies for incorporating water-wise and flood-resilient measures into real estate projects, which help mitigate those risks and enhance asset value simultaneously.

Lindsey Scannapieco (ULI Philadelphia Transformational Leader Award winner 2023) outlines an approach for how to tackle large (100,000 sq. ft.) projects through an iterative development approach. Concepts covered will include outside to inside, building the tenant you want, easy wins, trust building, the value of a big binder, patience, and many twists and turns along the way. Using the Bok Building as a case study, the presentation will walk through a thesis for a step-by-step approach to tackle buildings of scale. Although best applied to adaptive use projects, the steps outlined can apply to any project of scale.

Join Gretchen Sweeney and Glenn Greenberg from the ULI Learning team for a drop-in session to explore opportunities to become an instructor, co-create courses, or facilitate Q&A sessions with students taking on-demand courses. Are you a commercial real estate professional eager to share your expertise? ULI Learning offers top-tier educational experiences led by industry experts and esteemed faculty. We're seeking passionate Subject Matter Experts to teach or facilitate courses in areas like Construction Fundamentals, Foundations of Real Estate, Pro Forma Fundamentals, Principles of Real Estate Finance and Investment, Real Estate 101 and more. 

For learners, ULI Learning enhances your professional knowledge and skills, empowering you to make a greater impact in building better communities. Chat with us to find the right course or certificate for your professional development goals. Questions? Visit learning.uli.org or email [email protected]. 

Prepare to be moved, as NY Times Best Selling Author and Oprah Super Soul 100 Thought Leader Amy Purdy takes the stage, sharing her breathtaking story of resilience and triumph in the face of adversity. Amy recounts the unimaginable loss of both her legs at the age 19 and her remarkable rise to becoming a professional snowboarder, 3x Paralympic Medalist and runner up on the ABC hit show Dancing With the Stars. In this empowering talk, Amy weaves in the themes of creativity, clarity and commitment into an emotional rollercoaster of powerful storytelling that will take you from tears to cheers and redefine what it means to be inspired. This captivating session promises to be an unforgettable experience, igniting a fire within you to embrace your own challenges, break barriers, and unlock your fullest potential.

Refuel and connect with an afternoon pick-me-up, located at a food station in Mile High Ballroom on the lower level. Enjoy delicious treats and live music, explore the space, and network with fellow attendees.

Recent estimates indicate that there are roughly 100 million parking spaces lining the curbs in American cities. These spaces are traditionally allocated based on the immediate needs of adjacent buildings: general parking in front of residential, meters in front of shops, loading zones near supermarkets and warehouses. Today, with increased demand for online delivery, rideshare pickup and drop-off, outdoor dining, and electric vehicle charging stations, curbsides have become increasingly valuable commodities for a broad variety of stakeholders. Recognizing this shift, North American cities such as Boulder, Boston, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis have looked at flexible systems that can quickly respond to the ever-changing needs of the street, even in a single day or hour. These data-centered, tech-enabled, "smart" curbside management approaches have shown the potential to reduce congestion, enhance public safety, and encourage greener modes of travel, all while potentially increasing city revenue. This panel discussion seeks to convene public and private sector thought leaders to envision the future of curbside management.

Join WLI Americas for a fireside chat with ULI Global Chair and Gensler's Co-CEO, Diane Hoskins, and Emma West, WLI Americas Chair and Partner at Bousfields, Inc. Diane, a global powerhouse in the industry, will discusses early influences in architecture, strategies behind transformational growth, leading with purpose, her deep admiration for women leaning in, and her commitment to positively impacting the world through design.

The panelists will discuss the plans for the next phase of development in downtown Denver. The focus will be on public plans and interventions to spur private activity.

Since World War II, suburban office parks in North America have been hubs of innovation and were seen as highly sought-after employment centers. However, employment trends that began in the 1990s hit an inflection point during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to significant changes in employee/employer density in areas designed solely for employment uses. Once-respected office developments are now seen as liabilities, limiting communities' abilities to provide jobs and maintain public services. The decline in office occupancy is now becoming evident as leases expire, and few employers are stepping in to fill the gaps. Centennial, Colorado, located in the Denver metro area (population 106,883), removed regulatory hurdles by approving zoning amendments supported by real estate stakeholders. The amendments allow mixed-use and residential developments by right in former office park zones, providing new opportunities for now underused areas. This panel will discuss the challenges faced by both government and business, the community concerns that arose, and best practices incorporated into the zoning rewrite, aiming to create a more vibrant mix of employment and housing.