Driving Development. Continuous Results.
Upcoming Events
DDC26 Small Coach™ Foundations Workshop
October 14th, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
University of Chicago | Limited to 25 Participants
Registration $150
Small Coach™ Foundations Workshop
A Working Session for Small-Scale Developers
Small-scale development requires more than a good idea. It requires a clear project, an honest assessment of risk, and a practical next step.
On October 14, Jim Heid, FASLA, Founder of Building Small LLC and creator of Small Coach™, and Otto Beatty III, Esq., President – Otto Beatty Companies, will co-facilitate an intensive working session for small-scale developers.
Participants will work through real development questions, clarify their project, understand key risks, and identify the next practical step toward moving forward. This is a working session, not another conference panel.
Learn more about Jim's work at Building Small.
Featured Speakers
Founder of Building Small LLC and creator of Small Coach™
In an industry focused on dollars and square feet, Jim’s approach to real estate is measured in impact. As a built environment entrepreneur, he focuses on real estate development as a vehicle to create positive change and environments for people to thrive. His infill projects have won national and local awards for their innovation, creativity and contextually responsive approach.
Jim Heid, FASLA
President – Otto Beatty Companies
Otto Beatty is an entrepreneur, attorney, and real estate investor. Mr. Beatty has over 25 years of real estate experience as an investor, owner, landlord, consultant, attorney and developer with experience in the single-family, multifamily, industrial warehouse, and the office/coworking asset classes and various types of private lending. Since 2013, he has been the owner operator of Intelligent Office of Columbus, a shared office, coworking and business services facility in Downtown Columbus.
Otto Beatty III, Esq.
DDC26 Conference
Level Up: The Next Phase of Growth
Join the year’s most important gathering where emerging developers meet leading capital sources. This event brings innovators and investors together to unlock new opportunities in a changing economy.
Founded in 2023 with Midwest roots, DDC has grown into a coast-to-coast network connecting markets, sectors, and institutions to strengthen communities and expand opportunity.
About DDC
DDC is a national collaborative initiative advancing opportunity, insight, and access across the commercial real estate development ecosystem. We are well known for organizing high-impact events and building strong partnerships with CRE developers and stakeholders.
Our Emerging Developers Conference (EDC) and Deep Dive Workshop Series foster deal-making, and collaboration among developers, capital partners, and public and private leaders.
Each event provides practical insight into market trends, project readiness, and innovative financing to strengthen partnerships and advance real estate development.
Build relationships that create results
Invest In Yourself
Through collaborative programming, research partnerships, and shared learning, we help aspiring, emerging and established developers navigate a shifting real-estate landscape.