RESOURCES

DESCRIPTION

Local Product Councils, modeled after the ULI National Product Councils, are exclusive groups of ten to forty mid to senior-level members who meet quarterly to network and share best practices involved locally and in the region. The meeting agendas are usually two to four hours long. Council members can be drawn from the full range of disciplines involved in a product type or a local land use issue. Examples include the ULI New York Sustainable Building Council, the ULI Boston Market Council for Transactors, the ULI Austin Council on Urban Development and Mixed Use, and the ULI Arizona Council on Regional Development. Participation as a council member is open to members only.

ROLE OF THE DISTRICT COUNCIL

The District Council provides a platform for engaged members to organize a local forum that provides the benefits of the very successful National Product Council program. A small amount of staff time is needed for organizational purposes, however Council members usually plan their own agendas. Staff ensures success by helping to organize a balanced composition of the multidisciplinary group, setting the expectation that members will attend every meeting, and encouraging active participation in council discussions.

BUDGET

A small budget is required. The major expenditures are for venues and meals. Some District Councils charge a $100 to $250 registration fee to recoup these costs. Others, like ULI Boston, do not charge, because they have an annual sponsor for the program.

ATTENDANCE

In this program, attendance is limited for the purpose of creating an affinity group that, over

time, results in deeper professional relationships and expertise.

TIME FRAME

Ongoing. Three to four months’ planning time is needed to organize members and arrange first meetings.