The upheaval in the financial sector is unfolding at a pace that few of us would have ever anticipated, even one year ago. The federal government's takeover of American International Group, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, and the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers have left the most optimistic industry observers wondering when this wild ride will stop, or at least slow down.
Certainly, what we are witnessing has created a challenging backdrop from which the land use industry must move forward. However, times such as these are when ULI's unique role as a trusted source of industry information and knowledge sharing is perhaps most evident. We are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date analyses of current financial events, to help you stay informed and to equip you with information necessary to adjust your business operations to reflect economic and market realities.
In this regard, I am pleased to tell you that ULI is hosting special bi-weekly webinars--offered to members only--that examine the most recent financial market circumstances, including expert insights from ULI's own leading industry members on the impact of the fallout and speculations on what to expect in the months ahead. These webinars, which will be held in addition to ULI's regular monthly webinars on various industry topics, build on ULI's long-standing tradition of sharing information to succeed in the ever-changing world of real estate investment and development.
Our next webinar in this special "insider" series is scheduled for early October. It will explore the ramifications of the federal government taking control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, with ULI Senior Resident Fellow for Housing John McIlwain leading the discussion. You will receive emails inviting you to join us for this and future webinars, and I urge you to take advantage of this valuable member benefit.
Urban Land magazine will continue to provide in-depth discussions of issues confronting the real estate industry while the ULI website will provide current observations, available in the Capital Markets Update prepared by Steve Blank, ULI's Senior Resident Fellow for Real Estate Finance.
In addition, ULI's upcoming Annual Fall Meeting and Urban Land Expo will offer innumerable opportunities to gain new information and perspectives on what the land use industry will face in the coming year.
Rest assured that ULI is monitoring financial industry events each day, and will be updating the Fall Meeting program and adjusting program content to ensure that we are offering you the most timely, relevant, and useful information possible. Former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Paul Volcker is among an impressive lineup of speakers who will share insights on the economy, and on how the current financial turmoil will continue to affect markets around the globe.
I look forward to seeing you in Miami.