ULI Charlotte

What ULI Charlotte does

ULI Charlotte is a District Council of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and education organization founded in 1936. The chapter serves real estate professionals, public officials, designers, attorneys, lenders, and academics across the Charlotte, Piedmont, and Western North Carolina region, with a membership base exceeding 700 and access to ULI's global network of 45,000+ members. Its core offerings are not technology products but membership services: educational programs and symposiums (10+ annually), role-based networks (Young Leaders Group, Women's Leadership Initiative, NEXT), Technical Assistance Panels providing multidisciplinary advice to public agencies, the UrbanPlan student outreach program, mentorship cohorts, the Capital Markets Council, and recognition awards. Content products include the Building Connections podcast and member resources (Knowledge Finder, Member Directory, Navigator) inherited from the global ULI parent.

Revenue is generated through five primary streams: annual membership dues structured in Associate (open) and Full (invitation-only) tiers with discounts for under-35, government/nonprofit/university, student, and retired segments; event registration fees across in-person and webinar programming; annual corporate sponsorships with credit toward registrations; job and RFP postings at $95 per 60-day slot; and program participation fees such as the $125 WLI Mentorship and Emerging Leaders Forum. Distribution is event-driven and relationship-led, with go-to-market concentrated on member acquisition via programs, sponsorship outreach, and content marketing across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and the Building Connections podcast. A lean 5–7 person staff led by Executive Director Theresa Burnett executes operations from the Charlotte office.

Name

ULI Charlotte

Legal name

Urban Land Institute

Website

https://charlotte.uli.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ULI Charlotte is a nonprofit District Council of the Urban Land Institute serving 700+ real estate professionals across Charlotte, Piedmont, and Western North Carolina. It delivers educational programs, networking events, mentorship, Technical Assistance Panels, and a podcast to members and public-sector stakeholders in land use.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees provide core revenue, with Associate Membership (most popular, open to all with discounts for under 35, government/nonprofit/university sectors, students, and retired members) and Full Membership (selective and by invitation) as primary membership tiers.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue generated from educational programs, symposiums, breakfast meetings, networking events, and conferences. Registration fees vary with increased fees for late and onsite registration.
3. Annual Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors provide annual support at various benefit levels, receiving recognition and exposure at ULI events and activities. Sponsors receive credits toward program registrations based on their sponsorship level.
4. Job and RFP Postings: Revenue from posting available job positions and development requests for proposals to the real estate community. Price per post is $95 for 60 days, with $35 reposting fee for additional 60 days.
5. Program Participation Fees: Fees charged for participation in specialized programs such as the WLI Mentorship Program and Emerging Leaders Forum, each at $125 per participant annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ULI Charlotte is a District Council of the Urban Land Institute that provides membership-based professional education, networking, and advisory services to real estate, land use, and urban planning professionals across the Charlotte, Piedmont, and Western North Carolina region. The organization delivers these services through membership tiers, member networks, mentorship programs, educational programs (UrbanPlan), Technical Assistance Panels, industry events, the Building Connections podcast, and awards programs. It serves over 700 regional members with access to ULI's global network of 45,000+ members.

Product overview

ULI Charlotte is a District Council of the Urban Land Institute that operates as a membership-based professional organization rather than a technology product company. The organization offers a portfolio of programs and services including the Building Connections podcast, member networks (Young Leaders Group, Women's Leadership Initiative, NEXT), advisory services (Technical Assistance Panels, UrbanPlan educational program), awards (Momentum Maker Awards, WLI Champions, Legacy Awards), and mentorship programs (Emerging Leaders Forum, WLI Mentorship). Core member resources include Knowledge Finder research database, Member Directory, and Navigator volunteer platform. The organization also facilitates councils including the Capital Markets Council and Regional Councils serving the Charlotte, Piedmont, and Western North Carolina region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Building Connections Podcast: A podcast exploring the people, development projects, and ideas shaping the future of the Charlotte region, covering real estate, urban planning, and development topics.
• Young Leaders Group
• NEXT Initiative
• Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI)

Products and services

• Associate Membership Open-to-all annual ULI membership tier (the most popular) with discounts for under-35, government/nonprofit/university employees, students, and retired members; provides access to Knowledge Finder, Member Directory, Navigator, events, and publications.
• Full Membership Selective, invitation-only annual ULI membership tier requiring professional references from three Full Members from different firms and a written biography; not available to students but with discounts for under-35, government/nonprofit/university, and retired members.
• Job and RFP Posting Service Online submission portal allowing employers and developers to post available job positions and development requests for proposals to the real estate community at $95 for 60 days, with a $35 reposting fee for an additional 60 days.
• WLI Mentorship Program Program connecting young women members with established real estate professionals through bi-monthly group meetings over a year-long period, with a $125 participation fee per mentee.
• Emerging Leaders Forum Year-long forum connecting young real estate professionals with mentors for peer-to-peer learning and career development, with a $125 annual participation fee and limited space available.
• UrbanPlan Educational Program Hands-on educational program that teaches high school and university students the fundamentals of responsible land use and urban planning through a realistic development simulation.
• Technical Assistance Panels (TAPs) Expert multidisciplinary advice provided to public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and universities facing complex land use and real estate issues.
• Building Connections Podcast Podcast exploring people, development projects, and ideas shaping the future of the Charlotte region, featuring conversations with industry leaders in real estate, urban planning, and development; distributed on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
• Webinars and Virtual Events Virtual programming including regional updates and educational webinars, free for ULI members and $20 for non-members.
• In-Person Events and Programs (including Carolinas Meeting) Over 10 programs per year including symposiums, breakfast meetings, networking events, community outreach activities, and the annual Carolinas Meeting held throughout the Charlotte region.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 700 members served in the western/Piedmont region of North Carolina
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Yellow Duck MarketingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerYellow Duck Marketing is a sponsor of the Building Connections podcast and provides marketing support for ULI Charlotte's content initiatives. The firm helps amplify ULI Charlotte's reach through content strategy and promotional efforts.
• LS3P Associates Ltd.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerArchitecture firm LS3P sponsors ULI Charlotte events and programming, providing visibility and recognition at ULI activities while supporting the organization's educational mission.
• Moore & Van Allen PLLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLaw firm Moore & Van Allen sponsors ULI Charlotte programs and events, supporting the organization's mission while gaining visibility among real estate professionals.
• NewPoint Real Estate CapitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate capital firm sponsors ULI Charlotte events and initiatives, supporting the organization's educational programming and gaining exposure to the regional real estate community.
• Pappas PropertiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDevelopment firm Pappas Properties sponsors ULI Charlotte programs, supporting the organization's mission while positioning the company as a community leader in real estate development.
• UNC Charlotte - Childress Klein Center for Real EstatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Childress Klein Center for Real Estate at UNC Charlotte partners with ULI Charlotte on educational initiatives, student programs, and scholarship opportunities, connecting academic resources with industry professionals.
• Cabarrus Economic Development CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization partners with ULI Charlotte for educational webinars and regional development discussions, sharing economic insights and development opportunities.
• Centralina Council of GovernmentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council collaborates with ULI Charlotte on urban and regional policy discussions, providing expertise on sustainable development and inclusive city-building initiatives.
• Gaston Business AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development organization partners with ULI Charlotte for regional webinars and economic development discussions covering Gaston County and surrounding areas.
• ULI TrianglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighboring District Council ULI Triangle collaborates with ULI Charlotte on regional initiatives, joint programming, and virtual meetings, facilitating cross-regional knowledge sharing.
• ULI South CarolinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighboring District Council ULI South Carolina works with ULI Charlotte on joint initiatives including the annual Capital Markets Conference and regional programming.
• Randall Lewis Center for SustainabilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerULI's Center for Sustainability partners with Charlotte on roundtable discussions addressing property insurance, climate risk, and resilience investments in commercial real estate.
• Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance industry organization collaborates with ULI on property resilience and insurance challenges, bringing together leaders from real estate, finance, and insurance industries.
• CRE Finance CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry organization partners with ULI on roundtable discussions addressing commercial real estate insurance and financing challenges, bringing together finance industry expertise.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ULI Triangle: Sister ULI District Council serving the Raleigh-Durham Triangle region of North Carolina. Operates the same membership, programming, and sponsorship model with comparable staff structure, providing the closest functional analog to ULI Charlotte.
• ULI South Carolina: Neighboring ULI District Council that co-hosts the annual Carolinas Meeting with ULI Charlotte. Operates an identical membership and real estate professional development model for the South Carolina market.
• ULI Atlanta: Another ULI District Council serving the Atlanta metro, sharing ULI's global brand and member benefit infrastructure while operating a comparable district council model for a major Southeastern real estate market.
• NAIOP Charlotte: Regional chapter of NAIOP, the leading commercial real estate development association, serving the Charlotte market. Directly competes for the same developer, investor, and broker membership base and corporate sponsorship dollars.
• CoreNet Global Carolinas: Carolinas chapter of CoreNet Global, the corporate real estate association, serving similar end-user and occupier real estate professionals in the region with comparable educational programming.
• American Planning Association - North Carolina Chapter: State chapter of APA serving North Carolina's urban and regional planners, public officials, and planning academics. Directly competes for the same public-sector planner members and continuing education programming.

Broad incumbents

• CCIM Institute: National commercial real estate association offering credentialing, networking, and education for investment real estate professionals. Competes with ULI Charlotte for the same investor, broker, and finance members across the Carolinas.
• ICSC (Innovating Commerce Serving Communities): Global trade association for the retail real estate industry, providing networking, education, and advocacy. Overlaps with ULI Charlotte's developer and broker membership base in the Carolinas retail/commercial segment.

Regional players

• BOMA Charlotte: Regional chapter of the Building Owners and Managers Association serving the Charlotte commercial property management community. Directly competes for the same building owner, property manager, and facilities professionals.
• AIA Charlotte: Charlotte chapter of the American Institute of Architects serving architects and design professionals. Overlaps with ULI Charlotte's designer and architect members and competes for design-focused programming and sponsorships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uliclt
• Facebookfacebook.com/ULICharlotte
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uli-charlotte
• Instagraminstagram.com/uli_clt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ULI Charlotte