The 2025 HEREL Conference will be hosted by Tulane University on November 6th and 7th with an informal gathering on November 5th as is HEREL tradition.
AGENDA
Registration is now open for the HEREL Annual Conference. This year’s conference topics include:
1. Case Study and Tour. Discussion about the spectacular historic renovation of Richardson Memorial Hall – the home of the Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment. Afterwards, we will tour the building.
2. Princeton University’s Energy Transition – Using Renewable and District Energy Systems for a Cleaner, Cheaper, More Reliable Energy Future. This presentation will cover the methods Princeton University has used to heat and power its buildings and campus from the 1700s to present. The presentation will focus on the University’s recent major transition away from combustion-based energy and will explore the details of what this decision means for buildings, the central plant, district energy, various forms of energy storage, and renewably sourced energy. While the details will be about Princeton, the information will be applicable to any campus-based institution on a continuum of modernizing energy production and consumption.
3. Navigating requirements for special businesses entities (WBE, MBE, VBE, etc.) in construction contracting.
4. Conception to Delivery. Discussing the challenges of managing a project from conception to delivery including transaction structuring, RFP development, proposal evaluation and management of stakeholder interests.
5. Environmental Concerns Associated with University Owned Property On and Off Campus.
6. Repurposing Campus Buildings.
The detailed schedule and additional information about the sessions and presenters will be posted soon.
1. Case Study and Tour. Discussion about the spectacular historic renovation of Richardson Memorial Hall – the home of the Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment. Afterwards, we will tour the building.
2. Princeton University’s Energy Transition – Using Renewable and District Energy Systems for a Cleaner, Cheaper, More Reliable Energy Future. This presentation will cover the methods Princeton University has used to heat and power its buildings and campus from the 1700s to present. The presentation will focus on the University’s recent major transition away from combustion-based energy and will explore the details of what this decision means for buildings, the central plant, district energy, various forms of energy storage, and renewably sourced energy. While the details will be about Princeton, the information will be applicable to any campus-based institution on a continuum of modernizing energy production and consumption.
3. Navigating requirements for special businesses entities (WBE, MBE, VBE, etc.) in construction contracting.
4. Conception to Delivery. Discussing the challenges of managing a project from conception to delivery including transaction structuring, RFP development, proposal evaluation and management of stakeholder interests.
5. Environmental Concerns Associated with University Owned Property On and Off Campus.
6. Repurposing Campus Buildings.
The detailed schedule and additional information about the sessions and presenters will be posted soon.
REGISTRATION
There are two ways to register for the 2025 HEREL Conference in New Orleans.
OPTION ONE
Send a check payable to HEREL for $450.00 to Higher Education Real Estate Lawyers, c/o Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 335 George Street, Liberty Plaza, Suite 2160, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, Attn: Robert Roesener, Office of General Counsel.
If your firm or institution will cover the registration fee, you may use this invoice. Be sure to add the date and payor information before you submit to your business office.
OPTION TWO
Sign up through Humanitix
Please tell us your name and title as you would like it to appear on the conference attendee list, and include your firm or institution, your email address and a phone number. We will email all registered participants a link to a Box folder containing the 2025 conference materials prior to the conference.
The conference fee includes access to the conference materials, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Thursday, November 6, breakfast and lunch on Friday, November 7 and we expect to offer 6 CLE credits from the Louisiana State bar. Attendees will need to use the Louisiana CLE approval to obtain CLE in their home states.
Reminder that HEREL conferences are generally capped around 50 participants, so register early to secure your spot!
HEREL ANNUAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
HEREL is a success in large measure because our local hosts are willing to contract in the name of their institution for conference facilities, catering, hotel room blocks and other expenses. In doing so they assume the risk of financial losses that can result from reduced attendance. The HEREL Steering Committee has adopted this cancellation policy to help mitigate those risks and thus ensure that local hosts continue to step forward to make these conferences possible.
Conference cancellations received by September 30, 2025, entitle registrants to a full refund (less $50 processing fee). Cancellation requests will not be accepted after September 30, 2025, but the conference materials will be made available to all registrants. Additionally, HEREL will accept substitutions that a registrant unable to attend identifies. Exceptions to the cancellation deadline will be made for personal emergencies and significant medical issues that prevent attendance. While we appreciate that unexpected client needs may make it difficult or impossible for registrants to attend, we are unable to honor refund requests based on these circumstances after the deadline date. All registrant substitutions and cancellation requests must be in writing and emailed to David Epstein at [email protected].
Please note: Cancelling your conference registration does not affect your hotel reservation. To cancel or transfer your hotel reservation you must work directly with the conference center hotel.
OPTION ONE
Send a check payable to HEREL for $450.00 to Higher Education Real Estate Lawyers, c/o Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 335 George Street, Liberty Plaza, Suite 2160, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, Attn: Robert Roesener, Office of General Counsel.
If your firm or institution will cover the registration fee, you may use this invoice. Be sure to add the date and payor information before you submit to your business office.
OPTION TWO
Sign up through Humanitix
Please tell us your name and title as you would like it to appear on the conference attendee list, and include your firm or institution, your email address and a phone number. We will email all registered participants a link to a Box folder containing the 2025 conference materials prior to the conference.
The conference fee includes access to the conference materials, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Thursday, November 6, breakfast and lunch on Friday, November 7 and we expect to offer 6 CLE credits from the Louisiana State bar. Attendees will need to use the Louisiana CLE approval to obtain CLE in their home states.
Reminder that HEREL conferences are generally capped around 50 participants, so register early to secure your spot!
HEREL ANNUAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
HEREL is a success in large measure because our local hosts are willing to contract in the name of their institution for conference facilities, catering, hotel room blocks and other expenses. In doing so they assume the risk of financial losses that can result from reduced attendance. The HEREL Steering Committee has adopted this cancellation policy to help mitigate those risks and thus ensure that local hosts continue to step forward to make these conferences possible.
Conference cancellations received by September 30, 2025, entitle registrants to a full refund (less $50 processing fee). Cancellation requests will not be accepted after September 30, 2025, but the conference materials will be made available to all registrants. Additionally, HEREL will accept substitutions that a registrant unable to attend identifies. Exceptions to the cancellation deadline will be made for personal emergencies and significant medical issues that prevent attendance. While we appreciate that unexpected client needs may make it difficult or impossible for registrants to attend, we are unable to honor refund requests based on these circumstances after the deadline date. All registrant substitutions and cancellation requests must be in writing and emailed to David Epstein at [email protected].
Please note: Cancelling your conference registration does not affect your hotel reservation. To cancel or transfer your hotel reservation you must work directly with the conference center hotel.
HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS
Accommodations are being offered at a discounted rate of $179 per night for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (11/4 – 11/6) at the Pontchartrain Hotel. This room block will be available until the group cutoff date of Monday, October 6, 2025. Additionally, please ensure the “check-in” and “check-out” date fields are adjusted to your stay date preference. If you are planning to arrive earlier than Tuesday or stay on Friday night or after, the discounted room rate will not apply to those nights, and we suggest you contact the hotel for help with your booking. For anyone planning to stay Friday and Saturday nights, we negotiated a slightly discounted rate of $399 per night for those two nights. If you’re interested in a room type that does not have the HEREL booking code attached (i.e., rooms at the $179/night), that is because the room may not currently be held in the HEREL group block. If interested in a different room type or for guests needing any assistance with a group reservation, an email can be sent to [email protected] or guests can contact the hotel directly at 504.323.1400, referencing the group HEREL group discount.
TRANSPORTATION & PARKING
The best way to get to the Pontchartrain (or Tulane campus) from the airport is by Uber/Lyft/Taxi, all of which are easily accessed by exiting through door 9 on the baggage claim level (ground floor) at the airport. The hotel offers Valet Parking $49 + tax (per each night of stay). Valet parking is available 24 hours a day with "in and out" access. No charging stations are available in the valet garage.
Photos from HEREL Conferences over the years
Conference Sponsors
The HEREL Steering Committee extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the generous sponsors of the 2025 Conference to be held at Tulane University.
Your sponsorship helps support the HEREL network’s mission to leverage our participant’s experience to help create university communities that are sustainable, prosperous, healthy, and just for all people. The generosity of our sponsors helps us offset programmatic and operational costs incurred in the planning and production of our conference.
Our annual conference is packed with learning opportunities and includes educational sessions, case studies, project tours, and informal networking time designed to help you develop new ideas, share experiences, discover best practices and make connections with others in the field. You’ll bring back great ideas and helpful tidbits to make your institution stronger. We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans!
Thanks for Your Support!
Your sponsorship helps support the HEREL network’s mission to leverage our participant’s experience to help create university communities that are sustainable, prosperous, healthy, and just for all people. The generosity of our sponsors helps us offset programmatic and operational costs incurred in the planning and production of our conference.
Our annual conference is packed with learning opportunities and includes educational sessions, case studies, project tours, and informal networking time designed to help you develop new ideas, share experiences, discover best practices and make connections with others in the field. You’ll bring back great ideas and helpful tidbits to make your institution stronger. We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans!
Thanks for Your Support!