ULI Tampa Bay is expanding its programming this fall with two new events aimed at real estate and land-use professionals — one drawing a national audience to explore Tampa's growth firsthand, and another spotlighting women's leadership in the industry.
The 2026 NEXT Exchange runs September 14–16 and is designed for mid-career professionals roughly between 35 and 50 years old. About 40 participants from cities including New York, Philadelphia, and Atlanta are expected to make the trip to Tampa Bay for a packed itinerary that includes tours of Ybor City, Water Street Tampa, Gasworx, the J.C. Newman Cigar Co., and Benchmark International Arena, along with a water-taxi ride and an opening dinner with flamenco dancers at the Columbia Restaurant. The event is modeled on exchanges ULI has previously organized for its Young Leaders group and is the first ULI exchange of its kind geared specifically toward mid-career professionals. Local professionals can register separately for select portions, including the opening dinner and a professional-development session on partnership, entrepreneurship, and investing.
On October 13, ULI Tampa Bay will hold its inaugural Women's Leadership Initiative Summit from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Embarc Collective, 802 E. Whiting St. in downtown Tampa. The event expects between 50 and 100 attendees and features three speakers: University of Tampa economics professor Abigail Hall on navigating difficult conversations, B+E Net Lease co-founder and CEO Camille Renshaw on women, entrepreneurship, and investing, and leadership development adviser Melina Cordero on executive presence and professional presentation. Optional lunch gatherings hosted by members of the Women's Leadership Initiative Steering Committee will follow the main program.
Both events reflect ULI Tampa Bay's role as a connector between the region's development community and the broader national ULI network, with an eye toward creating programs that other chapters can replicate in their own markets.
Registration details for both events are available through ULI Tampa Bay. This story was originally reported by 83 Degrees Media.
