Broadening horizons

MIPIM, the world’s leading property market event returns from the sixteenth to the nineteenth of March. Running over twenty years, the four day event brings the leading lights in the real estate business in Cannes, France to network and arrange for investment deals reaching right across the property market. Once again this year, investors, developers, end-users, architects, hotel groups, public authorities and property associations will gather to present current projects and to discuss their business relations.

The MIPIM event provides a signpost to global market trends. The interaction of international players at the event makes it highly significant for generating new deals, sealing contracts and partnerships and facilitating investment projects. As such MIPIM plays an essential part in developing cross-border deals.

As well as encouraging internaitonal investment, MIPIM has established itself as an essential meeting place for city administrations who attend in order to both promote inward investment opportunities and discuss the key policy issues to help tackle major urban problems. Representatives from leading cities from around the world will exhibit at the event, with Mayor of London Boris Johnson addressing the conference in previous years. Special events will also be held for mayors from across the world, including a special think tank and an exclusive lunch.

Along with exhibitions, key note speeches are given on a variety of subjects. This year in particular, focus is likely to fall on the issues of property financing and investment as a major issue. As such MIPIM will likely to be an important event for anyone looking to secure financing for major developments in 2010, as well as general tips for survival in the current market.

Sustainability will also prove a big topic for debate, as the industry’s attention continues to turn to how all elements of property development, from building to usage and eventual demolition, can be made more effective and environmentally friendly. The changes currently being orchestrated in this field are possibly form the most significant developments to occur in property in over 50 years. As such many attending the conference will likely be keen to hear what is being developed in this field, with the event allowing them to get ahead of the game.

Each year, a country is profiled at the event for its particular virtues in terms of property investment. This year, it is Poland being celebrated. Defying the wider economic trends across Europe, the Polish economy has continued to grow through the financial crisis. As such, the country presents an appetising opportunity for property investment that attendees of the event will be fully able to explore across a range of special exhibits dedicated to the country.

MIPIM also features MIPIM Horizons, which highlights emerging markets. Examples of such markets are Latin America, Turkey, and Africa, which are all currently taking advantage of the economic downturn by delivering sustained growth that is attracting both domestic and international investors. The event will take a close look at opportunities, looking to future events such as
the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil.

A key part of the MIPIM event is formed by its awards. Celebrating innovation and excellence in the field of construction and regeneration, categories cover green buildings, hotel and tourism resorts, business centres, residential developments and refurbished office buildings. As entries to the awards are submitted from around the globe, winners may triumph in being the best buildings in the world.

Finally, on the lighter side of proceedings, lunches and cocktail evenings connected to the event will allow for members of the industry to socialise in a more relaxed environment while also hopefully building up their global contacts books. 

With much more on offer as well, MIPIM really is one of the highlights of the property calendar and a must for any serious developer or investor.