The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Louisiana hosted its annual Emerging Trends in Real Estate conference on February 21, 2025, at the Pan American Life Center in New Orleans. The conference brought together industry leaders to discuss key trends and challenges shaping the real estate market in Louisiana and beyond.
Annual Emerging Trends in Real Estate Report
The event opened with a presentation by Chuck DiRocco from PwC, who shared the latest findings from the PwC and the Urban Land Institute Americas Emerging Trends in Real Estate® 2025 annual report, highlighting shifting market dynamics and investment opportunities in the current economic climate. DiRocco emphasized the growing impact of interest rate fluctuations and the increasing importance of sustainable development.
Download the PwC Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2025 Report >
Conference Panels
The first panel, Breaking Barriers: Overcoming Challenges to Affordable Housing in Louisiana, addressed the complex issues surrounding affordable housing. Panelists, including Ryan Herringshaw and Michelle Whetten, explored innovative financing models and policy reforms aimed at increasing housing accessibility across the state.
Next, the Insuring Louisiana’s Future panel tackled the pressing topics of risk management and climate resilience. Industry experts Kevin Madden and Charles Sutcliffe discussed how rising insurance costs and climate-related risks are influencing development decisions and strategies for long-term resilience.
The third panel, The Intersection of Hospitality and Tourism Driving Economic Success in South Louisiana, examined how tourism and hospitality are key drivers of the regional economy. Leaders from the hospitality sector, including Robert Leblanc and Curtis Doucette, shared insights on adapting to changing consumer trends and improving visitor experiences.
Keynote: Reimagining Louisiana’s Downtowns
The conference concluded with a keynote luncheon on Reimagining Louisiana’s Downtowns, where Rene Pastorek and Whitney Hoffman-Sayal discussed strategies to revitalize urban cores and enhance walkability, safety, and mixed-use development.
The 2025 conference reinforced ULI’s commitment to connecting industry professionals and inspiring forward-thinking strategies to navigate the evolving real estate landscape.