More than 700 ULI members from North and South Carolina descended on Greenville, SC February 12-13th to connect, learn, and engage at the 2018 Carolinas’ Meeting. The 5th annual meeting reached a new high in attendance, sponsorship, tours, and programming. See photos here!

The conference kicked off with sold out tours of key developments in and around Greenville, including a walking tour led by the Mayor of Greenville highlighting the public investment in public spaces, parking and critical infrastructure that has catalyzed millions of private investment in

Greenville’s CBD. Focusing on the economic impacts of greenway development, The

Swamp Rabbit Trail tour showcased the resulting developments along the bike/ped trail that connects the town of Travelers Rest with downtown Greenville. Spartanburg’s downtown renaissance highlighted the transformational role of beer and food as anchors.

Technology rose as a major theme during the conference with several programs touching on emerging technologies in mobility, connectivity, sensors and off-the-grid power generation as key disrupters of the built environment. Crane Watch showcased under-construction mixed-use developments in the Carolinas in a fun and fast-paced session, and the Urban Ideas Competition shared innovative design concepts for the redevelopment of a downtown block in historic Georgetown SC. The student team from Clemson’s Masters in Real Estate Development was voted by the audience as this year’s Urban Ideas winner! Sessions devoted to experiential retail and the changing industrial landscape also highlighted their trends and innovations. Closing the conference, recently-retired ULI Global CEO Patrick Phillips moderated a lively Mayor’s Panel with the Mayors of Greenville, SC Knox White, Columbia, SC Steve Benjamin and Asheville, NC Esther Manheimer about their greatest challenges and opportunities.

Next year, the ULI Carolinas’ Meeting travels back to the Triangle to see what’s been happening since 2016.