Below is a statement from ULI Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Phillips to members regarding changes made to the Fall Meeting format.

The start of each summer signals a busy time for ULI as we step up preparations for our signature event—the annual Fall Meeting. It’s also a time of great anticipation because the Fall Meeting represents the best of ULI, offering unparalleled opportunities to share and gain knowledge and network with peers.

Each year, the event seems to be packed with more and more to absorb—in fact, according to many of you, it’s become so packed that what has long made the meeting appealing is now making it overwhelming. In response to your ideas and suggestions, we have changed the Fall Meeting format, starting with the 2014 meeting in New York City. This new structure reflects greater sensitivity to your time constraints and allows you greater flexibility to take advantage of the programming and events that matter most to you.

There are three main changes:

• First, the meeting will start earlier in the week. The first full day of programming for the 2014 Fall Meeting will begin on Tuesday morning, October 21; it will conclude on Thursday afternoon, allowing you time to plan additional meetings in New York on Friday.
• Second, each day of the meeting will have a specific focus. The first day will be focused on leadership; Wednesday will be Council Day and the ULI Stan Ross Real Estate Trends Conference; and the final day will focus on successfully negotiating transactions in the post-recession environment.
• Third, we’ll be offering new ways for attendees to connect. Through events such as special dinners related to specific topics with members; leadership meet-and-greets; and interactive “meet-ups” focused on cutting-edge business issues you can connect with meeting attendees in your industry.

Rest assured that our new “less is more” format does not mean less content or networking. We are simply revamping what we offer to make it more productive for you on site, and more useful after you leave. Also, we are a still offering optional tour days on Monday and Friday to explore spectacular real estate and cultural projects in the New York area.

I am also pleased to announce that the meeting will open Tuesday with The Changing World Speaker Series, featuring Jennifer Lawton of MakerBot, who will will speak about the creativity, innovation and possibilities being unleashed by the 3D printing revolution, and Vincent Stanley of Patagonia, who will share how the outdoor clothing and gear company has successfully built a brand that is immediately identified with a more active, healthier, and greener lifestyle. Our closing keynote speaker on Thursday is author Walter Isaacson, president and CEO of the Aspen Institute.

I hope you will join me in New York by registering today! You can find more information about the 2014 ULI Fall Meeting at fall.uli.org or following our Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for a daily stream of valuable industry news and information.

Patrick L. Phillips
Chief Executive Officer
Urban Land Institute