NEXT Minnesota 2023-2024 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.

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 monthly and in-person, typically on Thursdays, 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 2023-2024 cohort, the following sessions are planned, subject to change with advanced notice. Apart from targeted socials and tours, meetings will be hosted at ULI’s office in Downtown Minneapolis. 
• Save these dates:
• August 3, 4-6PM; Networking: Happy Hour at United Properties
• September 7, 4-5:30PM; Tour
• October 5, 11:30am-1pm; Topic Presentation
• November 9, 8:30-9:30am; Topic Presentation
• December 7, TBD; Small Group Informal Meals
• January 11, 4:00-5:30; Tour
• February 8, 11:30am-1pm; Topic Presentation
• March 7, 8:30-9:30am; Topic Presentation
• April 4, 11:30am-1pm; Networking, Problem Solving/Brain Trust
• May 9, 4-5:30pm; Tour
• June 6, 11:30am-1pm; Topic Presentation
• July 11, 8:30-9:30am; Topic Presentation

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 2023-July 2024). If cost is a barrier to participation, please reach out to ULI staff, [email protected]. Once you join NEXT, monthly event invitations are sent to cohort members and you simply attend as your schedule allows.

Overview:

· Three “Case Approach” quarters, each anchored with a tour that introduces a theme (e.g., housing, shifting office/retail environment, public spaces).

o Tours: Tours will all include a short intro presentation and/or cut sheet alongside the tour. There may be an optional (sponsored or at your own cost) happy hour or coffee to follow the 1-hour formal session

o Follow-on sessions: The other two sessions should build on the themes from the tour, while still being accessible to people who did not go on the tour. (For example, if you tour a housing developing, the following session could be housing policy and changes driven by the last legislative cycle. An office tour could be followed by a capital markets session on how high vacancy rates are being managed and the impacts on refinancing.)

· Between each three-month section, there will be a more focused networking opportunity.

· Overall structure will be set for the year, but themes may adjust.