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DevelopME Lunch & Learn – Staying above Water: Navigating the Impacts of Flooding and Sea Level Rise on Real Estate Development

Dec 6, 2024 | Events

3 pictures of flooding, courtesy of SIMPSON GUMPERTZ & HEGER

January 15, 2025 – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Lunch: 11:30-12:00 pm
Program: 12:00-1:00 pm

In-Person – Pre-registration is required.

Location: 
McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center
35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME

About the Event:

Flooding is one of the nation’s most costly natural hazards, but—despite the risks—construction continues to increase in flood-prone areas. Sea level rise and increased precipitation associated with climate change increase the frequency and severity of coastal and riverine flooding. Even buildings far from the waterfront can be subject to local or urban flooding. Careful planning and design can help reduce the risk of flood damage and minimize the business interruption caused by flood events. In this lunch & learn, we will help attendees understand flood hazards and share options for improving building resistance to flood damage to enhance community resilience. We will summarize the various types of flood hazards, discuss strategies for designing flood damage-resistant buildings, and explore various approaches to flood mitigation.

Meet our Presenters:

Matthew Gilbertson | Senior Technical Manager, SIMPSON GUMPERTZ & HEGER

Matt Gilbertson has diverse experience designing, investigating, and rehabilitating building and non-building structures. He specializes in evaluating flood hazards and designing structures to mitigate flood risk. His projects include designing buildings subject to flooding, evaluating existing facilities for flood risk, designing flood mitigation measures, and consulting on regulatory flood requirements. Matt is a member of Flood Load and Future Conditions subcommittees for ASCE 7-28, “Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures,” and the committee for ASCE 24-24, “Flood Resistant Design and Construction.”

Casey Stevenson | Project Director, SIMPSON GUMPERTZ & HEGER

Casey Stevenson has extensive experience in industrial building and non-building structures, rehabilitation of existing structures, construction engineering, and assessment of structures for flood hazards. He excels in managing complex technical projects and leading multi-disciplinary teams, always striving for collaborative solutions. He specializes in the design and behavior of steel and concrete structures, large equipment supports and foundations, and industrial facilities. His leadership fosters cooperation and design integration, leading to innovative outcomes that exceed client expectations. Committed to advancing the field, his expertise and dedication make him a trusted advisor for complex engineering challenges.

Moderating the program is MEREDA Board Member and co-chair of DevelopME, Gwen Hulit is a Mortgage Loan Officer with U.S. Bank, with lending capabilities in all 50 states. She originates residential mortgages on properties ranging from 1-4 units as primary residences, second homes, and investment properties. Gwen is the Co-Chair of MEREDA’s DevelopME committee and is active with the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute. Gwen lives in her hometown of Falmouth with her husband and daughter.

Ticket Prices:
Member: $35 | Non-Member: $45
Prices increase by $10 after January 8.

Refund Policy: Your RSVP is requested by January 8. Payment is expected at the time of registration. No refunds will be granted to anyone who registers, but fails to attend or who cancels after January 8.

Register HERE!

EVENT PARKING:  Everyone that parks on the USM Campus in the Bedford Street Garage has to use the digital parking system. You can pre-register for your parking session or do it upon arrival. To avoid a parking citation, you must begin your digital parking session – and pay – within 10 minutes of parking.  You can also pre-schedule your session.  

Click Here to Download the Event Parking Instructions.

By purchasing these tickets, you confirm that you have read and understand the Event Parking information provided by the McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center above.

This event in Sponsored by Norway Savings Bank.

Coming Up Next Month

November

Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Portland Waterfront65 Commercial Street Portland

thu12nov5:00 pm7:00 pmMEREDA's Annual Fall Social is Back!5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Portland Waterfront, 65 Commercial Street Portland

Event Details

About the Event: MEREDA’s Annual Fall Social returns on November 12!  Mark your calendar now to join us at the Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront for another

Event Details

About the Event:

MEREDA’s Annual Fall Social returns on November 12!  Mark your calendar now to join us at the Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront for another great “meet-and-greet” opportunity.

MEREDA’s networking events attract key players in Maine’s real estate industry offering excellent opportunities to interact with the experts.

Join us and other industry professionals on November 12 from 5 – 7 pm for Hors d’ oeuvres, Spirits, and Great Conversation!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Refund Policy:
Receipt of your registration indicates your intention to attend and secures you a ticket to the event. No refunds will be granted to anyone who registers, but fails to attend or who cancels after November 5. RSVP is requested by November 5. Payment is expected at the time of registration.

Ticket Prices:
Members: $55 each | Non-Members: $70 each

Prices increase by $10 after November 5.

Interested in participating in this event as a sponsor?
Sponsoring a MEREDA event puts your brand in front of Maine’s real estate decision-makers. MEREDA’s networking events bring together developers, brokers, investors, architects, attorneys, and municipal leaders who shape the state’s built environment — giving sponsors direct, high-value access to the people driving Maine’s commercial real estate market. Check out our sponsorship package!

Nov 12, 2026 Fall Sponsors

 

Time

November 12, 2026 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Location

Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Portland Waterfront

65 Commercial Street Portland

Register Here

Price $55.00

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Total Price $55.00

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McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME

thu19nov8:30 am10:00 amMorning Menu: Your Property. Your Risk. Your Recovery.8:30 am - 10:00 am McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success, 35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME

Event Details

November 19, 2026 – 8:30 – 10:00 amBuffet Breakfast: 8:30-9:00 amProgram: 9:00-10:00 am Location: McGoldrick Career & Student Success

Event Details

November 19, 2026 – 8:30 – 10:00 am
Buffet Breakfast: 8:30-9:00 am
Program: 9:00-10:00 am

Location: 
McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center
35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME

About the Event:

Your Property. Your Risk. Your Recovery. Disaster Preparedness and Claims Strategy for Commercial Real Estate Owners and Operators

Disasters don’t ask permission. Join us for a focused look at disaster recovery, risk prevention, and claims strategy built specifically for commercial real estate owners, managers, and investors — because protecting your portfolio starts long before disaster hits.

Confirmed Presenters:

Joe Connelly, Founder and Principal Public Insurance Adjuster of Recovery Insurance Adjusters
Josh Emerson, WCP, CRIS, Safety & Risk Consultant, Clark Insurance, a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC
Bridget Arey, General Manager, SERVPRO of Portland
Moderator, Josh Fifield
, Vice President, Business Insurance, Clark Insurance, a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC

Refund Policy: Your RSVP is requested by November 12. Payment is expected at the time of registration. No refunds will be granted to anyone who registers, but fails to attend, or who cancels after November 12.

Prices increase by $10 after November 12.

Thank you to our Breakfast Series Gold Sponsor:

Norway Savings Bank Transparent Logo 2

Thank you, also, to our Bronze Sponsor:

Clark Insurance New for 2025 PODCAST Clark MMA Tagline Blue

Time

November 19, 2026 8:30 am - 10:00 am

Location

McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success

35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME

Register Here

Price $45.00

How many tickets? -1 +

Total Price $45.00

View Cart Checkout

CalendarGoogleCal

Get Directions

How do you plan to get there?

Parking

Everyone that parks on the USM Campus in the Bedford Street Garage has to use the digital parking system. You can pre-register for your parking session or do it upon arrival. Commit your license number to memory!  You’ll need it to complete your parking session.  To avoid a parking citation, you must begin your digital parking session – and pay – within 10 minutes of parking. 

Parking Instructions (PDF)

Click Here to Download the Event Parking Instructions.

Maine Real Estate Development Association
6 City Center 3rd Floor
Portland, ME 04101
info@mereda.org

Copyright (c) 2026 Maine Real Estate & Development Association | All rights reserved | Privacy Policy
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