NEXT Minnesota 2025-2026 Cohort Overview

NEXT is a ULI Minnesota member cohort for connecting mid-career professionals in networking and sharing local best practices across real estate sectors. This cohort brings together ULI members from all the disciplines involved in the built environment to share local best practices, develop leadership skills, and build lasting relationships among peers across sectors. NEXT members support each other in working through mid-career challenges and identifying new ways to build their own brand and take the lead in their careers. Programming includes informal, relationship-driven sessions and more structured programming.

Who is this a fit for? 
NEXT is an annual cohort focused on mid-career ULI members over the age of 35, who are interested in advancing meaningful improvements in the built environment and participating in in-depth conversations around design, practice, capital markets and policy. Specific members range from developers, architects, lenders, attorneys, landscape architects, interior designers, thinkers, doers, and creators.

Session Structure

• NEXT takes a case-study approach to explore different aspects of land use and development, mixing tours, deep dive presentations, and peer discussion to explore the different dynamics, complexity, and trends in real estate.
• Sessions are hosted monthly and in-person, typically on the second Thursday of the month, with a mix of coffees, lunches, happy hours, and on-site tours to give a full range of experiences to participants.
• In addition to supporting the mission and value of this cohort, your registration fee also helps cover the cost of refreshments at most events.
• For the 2025-2026 cohort, the following 10 sessions are planned (subject to change with advanced notice). Apart from targeted socials and tours, meetings will be hosted at ULI Minnesota’s office in Downtown Minneapolis.
• Save these dates:
  • August 14, 4-6PM; Networking Happy Hour at Schafer Richardson
  • September 11, likely 4-6PM; Tour
  • October 9, 8-9:30AM; Content session, coffee & snacks provided
  • November 13, 11:30AM-1:00PM; Content session, lunch provided
  • Skip December to prioritize attendance at ULI Minnesota’s Winter Social (separate registration & fee)
  • January 8, 8:00-9:30AM; Content session, coffee & snacks provided
  • February 12, likely late afternoon; Tour
  • March 12, 11:30AM-1PM; Content session - likely annual capital markets update, lunch provided
  • April 9, likely 4-6PM; Cohort happy hour or tour
  • May 14, likely late afternoon; Tour
  • June 11, 8-9:30AM; Content session, coffee & snacks provided

Cost & Registration

ULI Membership is required to participate in NEXT. Annual cohort dues of $200 includes the full cost of programming for the year (August 2025-June 2026, 10 sessions). Once you join NEXT, monthly event invitations are sent to cohort members and you simply attend as your schedule allows.  Email communications and outreach go directly to this focused cohort of registrants, so enrolling in the cohort is critical if you want to get or stay involved with ULI Minnesota's NEXT mid-career cohort!