By: Kevin McQuaid, Tampa Bay Business Observer
Date: Friday, July 3 2020

COVID-19 should have been a death knell for the Tampa regional chapter of the Urban Land Institute (ULI).

That’s because the prominent commercial real estate industry group relies heavily on in-person meetings, networking sessions and educational seminars to maintain member interest and engagement.

But while the pandemic has pushed ULI’s Tampa Bay chapter — along with dozens of other trade groups — to shift its focus to exclusively virtual gatherings, the move to an online platform hasn’t eroded the participation of its more than 600 members.

“I think it’s hinged on having a strong foundation of content and really engaged members,” says Lucia Garsys, the chapter’s chair and a deputy county administrator for development and infrastructure with Hillsborough County.

“We were able to maintain solid content for members because we had it to begin with,” she adds.

ULI is a Washington, D.C.-based global network of “cross-disciplinary real estate and land experts” whose aim is to “set standards of excellence in development” and enhance housing and communities, real estate finance, sustainability and economic performance. It also works to shape successful cities and regions, according to its website.

Some virtual events that are being conducted regionally have been even more popular than those held in person.

More at this link: https://www.businessobserverfl.com/article/urban-land-institute-uli-tampa-bay-siobhan-okane-lucia-garsys