Real estate economy subject of Urban Land Institute event

SINK The Urban Land Institute Southwest Florida District Council will host several expert speakers for its 12th annual Winter Institute on Thursday, Jan. 29. The Winter Institute is a half-day program that is the Southwest Florida Chapter's premier event of the year. During the program luncheon, ULI will recognize outstanding local community service with its 2009 Pathfinder Award.

The content of the program will focus on the current and future trends in five distinct areas of real estate development, including lending economics, responsible and sustainable master planned community development, the current and future trends of real estate development finance, development trends in growing metropolitan cities, and the future of Florida's economy.

The featured speakers will include Greg Miller, chief economist for Sun- Trust Bank; Ed McMahon, ULI trustee; Ron Glass, president of Glass- Ratner Advisory & Capital Group; and Tom Murphy, former mayor of Pittsburgh. Florida's Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink will also provide perspective on the state's current and future financial conditions and the overall economy as well as an update on insurance discounts for home hardening.

The ULI Winter Institute Program is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pelican Sound Golf and River Club in Estero. Breakfast and lunch will be served.

The cost of the program is $85 for ULI members, $100 for non-members, $50 for young leaders, $50 for government members, and $25 for students. For additional information or to register, call the ULI Southwest Florida District Council at (800) 321- 5011.