Small Scale Forums
“…I got the value of my ticket within the first 3 hours… I recommend it to aspiring and current small scale developers because of the networking, learning and case studies in the field”
—Chukwudum Muoneke
2024 Forums
Bend, OR
May 13-15 2024
with support from ULI Portland
Kansas City, MO
October 2024
with support from ULI Kansas City
“This is the Un-Conference Conference!”
—ATIF Qadir, AIA, CO-FOUNDER & CIO, CoMMONPLACE, NY, NY
About the Small Scale Forums
The Small Developer Forum (SSDF) is the premier gathering of entrepreneurial real estate professionals working with small scale, incremental and transformative development projects. Held twice a year, each SSDF visits a new city to provide fresh inspiration and take-home lessons from a variety of projects and settings. Attended by a diverse group of over 80 individuals, the common thread is a passion for transformative real estate development and the bond created through the challenges and joy of being a small scale, entrepreneurial developer.
Panel Discussions Walking Tours | In-Person Case Studies | Peer-to-Peer Roundtables | Group Networking | Deal Sharing |… and much more!
“….great experience and fantastic people. Hard to express how grateful I am to have been invited and find my people!”
—Cary Westerbeck; Principal, Westerbeck Architecture, LLC; Seattle, WA
RECAPS OF PAST FORUMS
RECAP
SSDF#20 Savannah, Georgia
Curated by CRAFT DnA in connection with SCAD and association with ULI Atlanta
Our 20th Forum took us to Savannah, GA where we explored a range of Small projects creating authenticity and place, regenerating neighborhoods and building a resilient local economy. Set amidst one of the best examples of fine-grained urbanism in America today, over three days we listened to panels of small developers like you discuss their projects and capital approaches, heard about new forms of capital scaled to smaller projects and learned about Savannah’s unique history. SCAD, a non-profit, institution dedicated to design innovation and creative careers, shared adaptative reuse and preservation buildings.
Our biggest Forum ever – over 110 attendees, we were joined by media partners Insignia Studios, who both livecast and recorded over seven hours of content.
With the new Post Event Access Ticket, you can view available sessions including panels on adaptive reuse, project capital stacks, new forms of capital, what makes Small unique, and two case studies – Starland Yard, a .5 acre shipping container F+B catalyst project, and Village-on-the-Bluff, a modest but very clever Cottage Court infill.
RECAP
SSDF#19 Philadelphia, PA
Curated by CRAFT DnA in collaboration with ULI Philadelphia
Our 19th Forum took us to Philadelphia, PA where we explored a range of urban infill and adaptive reuse projects, as well as the important role Business Improvement Districts play in helping facilitate Small.
One of our more stunning events was the welcome reception held at BOK, a former 350,000 SF Technical Training high school that has been converted into a stunning maker and creative workspace for range of businesses, educational platforms and food and beverage outlets.
We also toured and heard from leading architects – Onion Flats and ISA Architects – and infill developers whose work infilling Philadelphia’s rich matrix of small, townhome lots with innovative projects helped reinforce the important role Small developers play in healing neighborhoods.