MIPIM UK’s programme is filled with high-profile industry and political leaders. Here is EG’s guide to the show with our top 10 unmissable bits
Wednesday 21 October
1 Government
Minister of state for trade and investment, Francis Maude, will open the programme of high-profile industry and political leaders as he delivers a keynote speech discussing UK regeneration and the appetite for foreign investment in Britain.
Also speaking throughout the event will be a host of government heavyweights including:
• Deputy London mayor Sir Edward Lister
• A GLA representative discussing Crossrail 2
• Stephen Dance, head of infrastructure at HM Treasury
• Elaine Hewitt, chief executive of NHS property.
2 Residential – from social to students to super prime
Day one sees Nick Candy of Candy & Candy share a panel with Stephen Howlett, chief executive of Peabody, to discuss super-prime London versus the provision of affordable housing. They might even agree. It is the first of a six-part series of residential sessions looking at PRS, supply in the housing market, the impact of the election, and what lessons we can learn from America when it comes to build to rent.
3 Regional leaders
Travel to Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and 32 other regional cities in an afternoon. Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester city council, will talk about the effect of sheds on regional growth. Meanwhile, Ged Fitzgerald, chief executive of Liverpool city council, will look at the motivation for Asian investors looking to place cash in the UK, and Greg Ward, director of city strategy and economy at Edinburgh city council, will discuss investing in cities.
Thursday 22 October
4 Occupiers
Want to get the inside track on what tech companies will be doing this year? Or hear from occupiers themselves on how they will be tackling the business of running lean organisations and keeping their workplaces agile? Head over to the Occupier Summit. Executives from Amazon, Arcadia, AT&T, Barclays, BP and RBS have already signed up.
5 Start-up competition
What are the smallest, nimblest property start-ups doing? Whether it is crowdfunding or using big data, MIPIM is looking for the disruptors in the industry, firms that are no more than three years old and have fewer than 20 employees. The London finalists will be announced on 22 October before the contest heads to Hong Kong and then on to Cannes where the finalists will pitch their projects to an international jury.
6 Shedmasters
The infamous Cannes event, high above the hilltops in France, is making its second appearance at MIPIM UK. Think of all the best elements from Cannes, repackaged, and shipped to London’s Olympia (sadly minus the sunshine).
7 EG/MIPIM UK awards
Who is the biggest name in UK regeneration? The hunt is on for developers and their partners working to revitalise towns and cities across the UK. Find out who will be crowned on Thursday evening.
Friday 23 October
8 Architects
Starchitect Zaha Hadid will deliver the closing address at the conference. Be there to hear her no-holds-barred take on architecture and her work in London. Anything could happen with Hadid, who has accused London of being too modest and polite and lacking in radical ideas.
Every day
9 London showcase 3D model
Step inside a 3D digital model of London as the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry launches its first fully interactive model of the city on a 5m x 3m wall.
10 The fun of the show
With more than 21,500 sq ft of space, the exhibitors usually battle pretty hard to get visitors’ attention. Last year it was RIBA’s cool, calming meeting space, Cardiff’s enormous city model and The Leadenhall Building’s Lego replica that had people flocking to the stand. Too busy for lunch? Crowds gathered for Melton Mowbray’s pork pies and Herts heart-shaped chocolates.
