As we turn the corner to a new year, our industry stands in a place of change and challenge. And with change and challenge, comes opportunity. I look back at the economic events of the past year and see an opportunity to bring our best "thinking caps" to the table to create innovative ideas that support a compelling future for the real estate industry. Now is a time when our combined experience, resources and commitment can make a significant difference. As the multi-disciplinary real estate forum, ULI Atlanta is committed to continuing to bring you the best programs and events that will facilitate the open exchange of ideas, experience, and information at local, national, and international levels.

Since it was founded in 1936, ULI is the trusted place where real estate leaders grow professionally and personally through sharing, mentoring, and problem solving. We take pride in being the forum where ULI members come together in a shared commitment to supporting the best practices in real estate. Our goal continues to be to serve each of you, our communities, our region, and our industry by being a comprehensive, diverse, and consistent leading-edge resource.

2009 Highlights
ULI Atlanta has once again excelled as one of the most active of ULI's district councils worldwide. Atlanta hosted the 2009 ULI Spring Council Forum here as well as held over 30 local programs, such as the ULI Atlanta Awards Dinner for Excellence in Development; the Golf Tournament and the Emerging Trends conference, which in total attracted over 7,400 attendees. 

In 2009, ULI also awarded a Community Action Grant (CAG) to Emory University to create a walkable community model for major universities. ULI CAGs are awarded for creative, innovative community outreach, research, or education programs. By encouraging new ideas and supporting the most entrepreneurial projects, communities can benefit because successful projects can be replicated worldwide.

This year also marked the launch of the ULI Atlanta's Center for Regional Leadership Development. This year-long program has an inaugural class of 31 Emerging Leaders and will increase to 50 participants over the next three-years. The goal of The Center is to develop tomorrow's leaders who share the ULI mission "to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities" throughout the region. Participants are drawn from the real estate industry, regulatory agencies, environmental and governmental groups, the design professions, the construction industry, and financial organizations. The curriculum is organized around a series of monthly, day-long educational sessions with follow-up activities applying the ULI best practices learned. The information conveyed provides the basis for subsequent TAPs panels performed by the program participants.

In 2009, the Technical Assistance Program's Committee successfully completed a TAP for the Atlanta Regional Commission's Plan 2040, the City of College Park Old National Highway Corridor as well as the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. In all, over 50 ULI members were engaged in these TAPs that are already producing positive change in the respective communities.

This year, ULI Atlanta expanded its UrbanPlan program to include Druid Hills High School, increasing its ability to reach out to a diverse student base and prepare the leaders of tomorrow for their roles as responsible and informed community citizens and leaders. UrbanPlan is currently reaching more than 3,800 students nationwide at 134 high schools and universities.

Ways to Get Involved in 2010
As we move into the new year, ULI Atlanta will continue to support the real estate community and intends to be a catalyst in building a bridge from sustainability as an ideology to sustainability as a practical application. In addition to our standing committees and programs, we have several new initiatives already on the books for 2010.

Get involved in any of the following twelve ULI Atlanta committees:
• Awards for Excellence in Development
• Capital Markets / Finance
• Communications / Public Relations
• Infrastructure
• Membership
• Programs / Signature Events
• Sponsorship
• Sustainability
• Technical Advisory Program (TAPs)
• UrbanPlan
• Workforce Housing
• Young Leaders Group

Let's Do This Together
As we face the challenges of our current economic and environmental situations, I am reminded of an anonymous quote: "If you don't create change, change will create you." The ULI community, with over 35,000 members globally and 1,200 members locally, has a unique opportunity to pool our resources, our experience, and our imaginations to create a cohesive body of knowledge that can be utilized by all. We encourage each of you to become an active part of our information and solution base, to use ULI Atlanta as a trusted resource, to give back to your communities through our programs and committees, and to stay closely connected with the real estate community to achieve your personal and professional goals. We are grateful for, and look forward to, your continuing support.

Despite the challenging economy, we are proud of our accomplishments and look forward to an exciting future for the Atlanta District Council. In the coming years, ULI Atlanta will continue to be a leader among regional land use organizations in terms of innovative programming, technical assistance and community impact.

All the best for a happy and healthy 2010,

Jeff DuFresne
Executive Director