ULI’s Product Councils are small-group, focused meetings for members who care about advancing best practice in niche areas of the industry. Our five councils in Europe aim to:

• facilitate a very rich dialogue for industry leaders which is topical, provocative and future thinking;
• take down professional barriers within the four walls of a meeting to allow a free exchange of ideas and experience;
• help careers by enabling members to steer their ideas and develop true friendships over time across a range of professions.

The first Council meetings of 2016 are scheduled on day one of the ULI Europe Conference programme on 2 February, with highlights including:

Urban Regeneration: a focus on place-making with Alice Charles of the World Economic Forum and an inside look at the master plan of Cherrywood, Dublin, a new town centre development underway in Dublin.

Sustainability: Roland Hunziker of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development will join members to present his views on the recent COP 21 summit in Paris and the implications for real estate. A site tour of the Boucicaut Eco-Neighborhood, a former hospital in the heart of Paris, redeveloped into a variety of housing and commercial sites to encourage social and generational diversity, will complete the day.

Hotel & Resort Development: The historic Molitor Hotel is the iconic venue for this Council meeting. Inaugurated in 1929, the MOLITOR was the prime swimming destination in Paris for 60 years, famous for its two pools and avant-garde ambiance. Closed in 1989 and classified as a historic monument, the neglected building was adopted by artists and became a temple of underground Parisian culture. Topics will range from the sharing economy through to the latest thinking on hostels.

Retail & Entertainment: Council members will discuss the growing role of leisure and entertainment in the shopping experience as a result of consumer behaviour, and will hear a presentation of some recent research and a qualitative view on the impact of leisure on valuations.

Office & Mixed Use: Gene Kohn of Kohn Pedersen Fox will talk about the evolution of mixed use as part of a packed agenda including a panel on the deployment of capital and a session on long term business survival from an occupier’s perspective, with Societe Fonciere Lyonnaise S.A.

If you are not yet registered for a Council Day or are interested in receiving more information about them, please contact Clare Game at clare.game@uli.org.