DDC25:
Emerging Developers Conference 2025
Rethinking What's Possible: From Vision to Financing in a Shifting Landscape
About the Conference
In today's evolving economic and policy environment, success requires more than vision - it demands bold strategies, new models, and the right capital connections. The Emerging Developers Conference 2025 brings together the most innovative developers, investors, policymakers, and community leaders to rethink what’s possible and move projects from vision to financing to reality in commercial real estate development.
Main Stage Conversations
Hear from elected officials, national leaders, and developers on market realities, shifting policies, and capital access.
Keynote Speaker
Enjoy an inspiring fireside chat with Jonathan F.P. Rose, renowned for community-centered and sustainable real estate.
Four Strategic Track Sessions
Discover tracks that tackle capital, creative communities, new business models, and practical strategies for emerging developers—all driving the future of development. Read More
Premium Networking
The curated track sesions, sponsor-hosted sessions, and a closing reception connects you directly with decision-makers who can fund and partner on your deals.
Four Strategic Track Sessions for Real Results
Reimagining Capital
New approaches to funding and financing. Innovative strategies and financing tools that align mission goals with institutional risk–return expectations.
Rethinking Neighborhoods & Communities
Sessions highlight adaptive land use, zoning, planning frameworks, and partnerships that balance market opportunity with long-term community goals.
Reinventing the Model
Business model transformations and operational pivots that are redefining development in today’s landscape.
Emerging Developers Track
A practical roadmap for new developers—from market analysis and partnerships to financing, execution, and asset management—with middle-market housing and infill projects as key entry points.
95% Of Past Attendees Recommend Attending
DDC has engineered this conference with one clear purpose: connecting vision with financing. Every session, every speaker, every networking opportunity is designed to help you navigate from concept to capital in today's shifting economic and policy environment
Featured Morning Keynote Speaker
Jonathan F. P. Rose
President, Jonathan Rose Companies
Morning Fireside Chat
Join us for an exclusive morning conversation with Jonathan Rose, President of Jonathan Rose Companies, one of the nation's largest affordable housing acquisition firms.
Fresh off national headlines for closing a transformative $660 million fund, one of the largest ever, to acquire, preserve, and green affordable housing in high-demand cities nationwide, hear insights from this trailblazer whose projects deliver strong returns, measurable social impact, and climate-forward innovation perfectly timed for today’s market and policy shifts.
Who Should Attend?
Emerging and established developers seeking capital partnerships and strategic growth opportunities
Finance, lending, and investment professionals actively deploying capital in real estate projects
Institutional investors, CDFIs, and impact funds looking for quality deal flow
Policy leaders and municipal decision-makers shaping the regulatory and development landscape
The Venue
David Rubenstein Forum, University of Chicago
An environment built for serious conversations:
Intimate networking lounges
Dedicated breakout spaces for our track sessions
The elegant CityView reception area
Here, every space is designed to turn concepts into commitments.
Get directions: 1201 East 60th Street Chicago, IL 60637
Parking Info
Shuttle Info
Registration
Tier 1
$175
General Admission
(Access to all sessions, networking, and fireside chat)
Tier 2
$75
Student Rate
(With valid .edu email)
Time: 8:00AM - 5:15PM, Networking Power Hour and Reception follows to 7:15PM CDT
Seats are intentionally limited to ensure high-quality interactions.
Register early! Demand is expected to exceed capacity.
Connect with this strategic network
Sponsorship packages from Presenting Partner to Exhibitor offer direct access to the region's most active developers and capital sources.
Position your organization where tomorrow's partnerships are formed.
What people have to say
“I attended to experience whether this was going to be a typical event or if they would offer some tangibleIe take aways. I was happy that the material/presenters were substantive.”
The connections that fund tomorrow's projects are made here.
The connections that fund tomorrow's projects are made here.
This is where vision meets financing.
