Top Story
By: Tracy Dodson
As we enter a new fiscal year, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for being a member and for supporting ULI Charlotte. Since the beginning of our District Council in 1999, we have had phenomenal leadership that has made a name for ULI Charlotte throughout our community.
Over the past two years, we were under the watchful eye of Charles Teal as Chair. He guided us through the growth of our membership, programming and community initiatives, and I am very thankful for his keen attention to the details. Charles, you left some pretty big shoes to fill!
Among its accomplishments in the past year, ULI Charlotte has:
- Hosted the most successful spring meeting in ULI history. Under the leadership of Peter A. Pappas and the Local Arrangements Committee, we exceeded expectations in financial and membership support, introduced the region to a number of people who had never been here and, we hope, opened the doors to opportunities. I came across this “24 Takeaways from the Spring Meeting in Charlotte” that I thought you may enjoy.
- Completed the ULI Daniel Rose Fellowship Program. A year-long program, the fellowship focused on the Independence Boulevard corridor. Charlotte Mayor, Anthony Foxx, North Carolina Secretary of Transportation, Gene Conti, Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Director, Debra Campbell, City of Charlotte DOT Director of Transportation, Danny Pleasant, and former Charlotte Assistant City Manager, Jim Schumacher, served as ULI Rose Fellows and, with the help of numerous ULI members, city staff, volunteers and community members, discussed future plans for the corridor.
- Offered educational programming and networking opportunities with more than 18 District Council events with 1200-plus attendees throughout FY12. Among these events was our marque Real Estate Trends event, as well as smaller interactive events such as the Young Leaders Mobile Workshops.
During the 2012-13 fiscal year, we will continue to focus on high quality interactions, education, community involvement and engagement. The success of the ULI Spring Meeting has offered us a chance to invest additional dollars into the following goals:
- Delivering member value through high quality, topical programs.
- Broadening ULI’s influence through collaboration with surrounding counties.
- Enhancing leadership development opportunities for our members.
Engaging our members, enhancing networking opportunities and sustaining a strong District Council is paramount. Watch for:
- A greater number of smaller group conversations to share best practices.
- Increased engagement in community land-use discussions, such as our involvement in TAPS and the CONNECT program.
- Continued conversations through education and interaction, building upon the successful programming and experience of the ULI Spring Meeting.
- More ULI opportunities throughout the District Council and Carolinas region (beyond Charlotte).
As you consider your involvement in ULI, consider being an active member. The opportunities for committee participation and educational opportunities are growing, and with our broadened focus on increasing the impact ULI throughout our region, we will need your involvement. Contact ULI Charlotte and get involved.