ICSC vs ULI membership
Hey folks,

This is a question for anyone who is either a member or has dealt with either of these organizations.  I'm looking to contact commercial real estate owners in regards to helping them upgrade parking and common area lighting to energy efficient applications through state utility programs (particularly WA, CT and MA at the current time.)  

The Associate membership fees are [$800 \(ICSC\)](http://www.icsc.org/membership/what-does-membership-cost) vs [$430 \(ULI\)](http://www.uli.org/membership/join/).  Despite searching, I haven't found too many reviews on either one to inform me enough to make a decision.  If anyone can weigh in on this, I'm all ears!  Thanks!!
[{"id": "cf2a1qy", "text": "ICSC for sure.  I've been in Retail Real Estate for 11-years and EVERYONE is an ICSC member.   Vegas convention in May is huge but there are a lot of regional deal making type sessions a lot of people attend.\n\nAppraisers and Brokers seem to be more interested in ULI.\n\n", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cf2c2m0", "text": "Honestly I don't think becoming a member of either ICSC or ULI really make sense for you.  I have been to regional ICSC conferences and while there is a lot of leasing and sales activity going on I don't think owners are necessarily looking to be pitched on construction services.  Why not go for something more relevant, like a LEED AP cert?", "replies": [{"id": "cf2c8xl", "text": "I currently do work for many as it is, I'm just interested in having a resource that may offer different ways to contact the right people.  I was recommended the ICSC by one client but want to weigh my options.", "replies": [{"id": "cf2cwj1", "text": "Makes sense.  Lots of owners, real estate heads for retailers, and brokers attend ICSC deal making sessions so they are a good source for networking", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cf2oylq", "text": "Have you looked into NAIOP? That could be another avenue to check out. ", "replies": [{"id": "cf2ujty", "text": "Thanks for the recommendation.  I'm looking into it!", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cf9e92d", "text": "It sounds like you need to network with developers, contractors, and property managers.  In my opinion ICSC is mostly about connecting buyers and sellers and tenants and landlords (brokerage mainly). ", "replies": [{"id": "cf9jah3", "text": "I've been working with a lot of property managers, but sometimes they are difficult to reach.  I figured the ICSC might be an easier way to reach the key people.", "replies": [{"id": "cf9pnfd", "text": "No doubt, it's tough to get a hold a property managers, they usually aren't interested in new vendors, especially if they have reputable vendors already.  May I suggest inviting a property management division to lunch and using the time to build a relationship and lightly explain your service.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cfobmwb", "text": "I am not a member of ULI but you should be able to go to a few of their events in boston or hartford and check them out without buying the associate membership. They do specifically have a vertical for sustainability/energy efficiency.\n\nThey also have discounts for younger members/public sector and non for profits, which arguably you are.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]