Adina David, executive director at MGT Investment Management and founder of Ladies in Real Estate, talks to Jess Harrold about LiRE’s WhatsApp group for female MIPIM attendees.
How is LiRE using WhatsApp to help women to enjoy their MIPIM experience?
Women attending MIPIM can often feel a bit anxious to face what appears to be a sea of blue suits. Especially if it’s their first year, or they are in a new role, they may feel more pressure than most to find contacts and attend events. Of course, women attend in quite large numbers, but we are still in the minority and we still have a visibility problem. There are also fewer of us in senior roles that make the cut for Cannes. To help the conference become a more diverse and inclusive place, women need a safe space that can act as a support group that connects us before, during and after the event. This is what Ladies in Real Estate has attempted to do, now two years in a row, through a WhatsApp community built via its network of 1,800 women. The network is inclusive, covering the entirety of the real estate industry for women at all levels, and free, removing any barrier to entry. The WhatsApp group is now quickly approaching 200 women who are headed to Cannes this year.
Who is involved in the group and what gets the notifications pinging?
The MIPIM LiRE WhatsApp group has attracted women from across European real estate and from groups across the spectrum of sectors, including development, investment, design, engineering, planning, proptech, communications, marketing, law, insurance, brokerage, recruitment and more. We are sharing open events, interesting activities (running club, anyone?), resources (last-minute lodging) and other useful tips. The group also tries to promote what everyone is doing through short intros and inform others of their speaking engagements.
What are your main goals for the group?
One is to ensure that women in attendance are connected to each other. This helps us come together and physically take up space in larger groups than before, which increases our visibility among the blue suits. Especially as we also advise each other what colour suits to wear – and it’s often something very bright or neon. The group also helps ensure we have familiar faces to meet around the Palais and at the larger networking events, where it can be overwhelming to make new connections when no one is speaking to you. Recognising friendly faces does build up one’s confidence in networking and therefore makes the conference much more productive for all.
We’d love to hear more about the neon – what are the must-have items in the suitcase for Cannes?
Neon or any bright colour is great for helping you stand out and be found, especially for any Caffé Roma meetings. Each day one must be prepared to be out and about from morning until late evening, so definitely think about layers, otherwise you will end up going shopping in Cannes – which is no bad thing, but can get expensive. Last year, I ended up buying a large orange shawl between coffee meetings as the weather changed and I had no time to return to my apartment. Other tips shared in the group chat include packing a power bank, small snacks, water bottle, lip balm, a large handbag to accommodate it all and a big stash of Berocca.
And how about footwear advice?
Wear comfortable shoes. There is no need to try to wear 10-inch heels anymore. Flats or nice trainers are perfectly acceptable footwear around the Croisette. Being comfortable will also help increase your confidence and ability to get through the whole week. MIPIM is a marathon, not a sprint; you need to pace yourself and preserve any excess energy.
On a more serious topic, you mentioned safe spaces – unfortunately, at any event like MIPIM, there are still considerable dangers for women. How can the group help?
The conference is a great place to meet incredible people in the built environment. It is also a place where some of the attendees enjoy a few drinks, which sometimes results in unacceptable behaviour. So, part of the role of the WhatsApp group is to ensure there is always a buddy available for anyone partying late. Functioning like a designated driver, women are encouraged to ping the group to find someone nearby to accompany them home or meet them at an event. My first couple of MIPIM trips were a bit of a blur, running between tightly scheduled meetings, wearing the wrong shoes and being slightly intimidated by the crowds of (mostly) men surrounded by rosé. Then there were a couple of unwelcome advances, including one from a taxi driver late at night as I made my way back to my hotel alone. My hope is that the LiRE WhatsApp group helps women overcome these sorts of things and allows them to have a pleasant and productive conference.
That is the least that anyone should be able to expect. For any readers interested in joining the group, how should they get in touch?
The group has grown through the LiRE mailing list and by word of mouth, and I love seeing more women joining daily as they find out about it because this creates even more opportunities for us all. To get a link to join the group, please email me at adina@ladiesinrealestate.co.uk. Looking forward to seeing you all (in your bright colours) on the Croisette!
To send feedback, e-mail jess.harrold@eg.co.uk or tweet @jessharrold or @EGPropertyNews
