On Tuesday, October 1st the ULI Chicago Membership Committee hosted a complimentary member event at the Old Town Pour House. The “ticket” to the event was to bring one qualified candidate for ULI membership. Over 50 real estate professionals including investors, private equity fund managers, developers, lenders, and attorneys attended the event.

The highlight was personal accounts by Terri Haymaker of the Public Building Commission of Chicago, Michelle Fellows of Gould & Ratner LLP, and Collin Glancy of Equity Residential sharing why ULI is important to them.  They all answered two questions: “Why did I join ULI?” and “What do I look forward to at the upcoming ULI Fall Meeting in Chicago?”

Answers to “Why Join” included great networking, the ability to share ideas with peers from the same and different disciplines within the real estate community, the content, the ability to assist municipalities with land use challenges, and, for young leaders, the opportunity to network with, and get advice from, senior leaders in the industry.

Some great reasons to “Come to the Fall Meeting” ranged from newtworking with national and international peers, sharing best practices, keynote speakers Sam Zell and Jeb Bush, to the special interest tours and mobile workshops which include tours of Millennium Park, University of Chicago, and  IIT, among other great hotspots.

The Chair of the ULI Chicago Membership Committee, Ed Burton of Chicago Title Insurance Company, reminded attendees that the ULI Fall Meeting will be hosted in Chicago from November 5th-8th. He added that there are “Join & Go” discounted rates for non-members who sign up for a 1-year membership and register for the Fall Meeting at the same time.  The  early bird registration deadline is October 11th (save up to $400).

ULI Chicago hopes that the recruitment event in combination with the Fall Meeting will bring in new members and strengthen the Chicago District Council.  See event photos