Talking Points
While we’re all heading off to MIPIM in Cannes, what did people make of the first MIPIM UK?
Words by Anna King
When Reed MIdeM announced a MIPIM UK at London's tired Olympia venue, there were audible undertones of 'what are they thinking? to be heard by some in the property sector. Understandably, given the stark contrast between a rainy autumnal London and a salubrious, spring-like Cannes.
However, it appears there may be room for both. The inaugural MIPIM UK event last year catered for the property sector in its broadest sense, attracting more than 4,000 delegates, 500 of which were investors, which made it the biggest-ever gathering for the British property sector.
Private-sector developers, investors and advisers were joined by representatives from 35 cities and local authorities, including Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and the Scottish Cities Alliance.
Over the three-day period MIPIM UK provided a platform for a UK-centric discussion that didn't get lost in the much bigger picture of global discussion. Housing issues and devolution, which are still so topical, were high on the agenda for discussion.
Mark Simpson, director of design at BDP, summed up his thoughts: 'BDP has attended every MIPIM in France since it started so it was good to be in at the start of this new initiative, which we feel sure will grow. It is a very different proposition from Cannes, very UK-focused with a lot of local authority attendees. We will be back or the next one!'
Bill Hughes, managing director of Legal & General Property, said: 'Far exceeding expectations on quantity and quality of attendance, the inaugural MIPIM UK was unequivocally a success story - providing lively debate on the key issues, such as housing and infrastructure, and the critical new trends in commercial real estate. In particular I was delighted to see a high level of engagement between the public and private sectors.'
Interestingly, 77 per cent of delegates had never attended MIPIM in Cannes, which almost confirms the requirement for such an event. Mark Day of Artelia UK, commented: 'The London MIPIM event was a positive step for Artelia in developing its credentials further in construction consultancy services within the built environment. The event produced positive enquires, increased sector profile and positive feedback and will almost certainly see Artelia exhibit again this year."
MIPIM UK will take place at Olympia, London 21-23 October.
