This year’s EXPO Real is set to be biggest in the property fair’s history. Visitor numbers are 10-15% up on last year’s, and two halls have been added to the exhibition space.
Regular visitors to the event in Munich say they are seeing a growing number of international companies represented among the stands. Historically the preserve of German companies, EXPO Real is now attracting visitors from countries such as the US, China and Russia.
Although the British make up the second-largest number of visitors, a growing number from Poland and other East European countries are now regular attendees. The total number of visitors is now on a par with MIPIM.
As in previous years, the event will offer a large number of free seminars covering a wide range of themes.
Proceedings open with a series of discussions on the German investment market, followed by a panel discussion on the mechanics of the market, which will look at issues such as REITs, rates and loans.
Bill Kistler, president of the Urban Land Institute, will be moderating a panel on second cities. For those interested in the hospitality industry, there will be sessions on topics ranging from its prospects in the Russian market to design.
On the retail market, Eastern Europe comes under the spotlight for debate, as do international trends. A provocatively titled panel asks: “Are mega malls a mega flop?”
Experts will also tackle such issues as mixed-use, and discuss how such schemes work as an investment vehicle.
There will be a series of forums, called real estate investors’ guides, that each focus on a different country. Unsurprisingly, Eastern European countries dominate, with guides to Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia among the list.
The UK will be the subject of a session moderated by Mark Cooper, the editor of EG‘s sister title EuroProperty, with a panel that includes Liz Peace, chief executive of the BPF, and Philip Marsden, equity partner at King Sturge.
An afternoon session will be dedicated to the US market. There will also be real estate investment guides to Japan and India.
Various companies will be hosting after-hours drinks receptions, and for those who prefer the tension of “the winner is…”, there are a number of award ceremonies. New this year is EuroProperty‘s investment awards on 24 October. Winners will be chosen on the basis of performance data collated by Investment Property Databank.
For a full listing of all forums and events at Expo, see www.exporeal.net
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Gazeley, which has been attending EXPO Real for four years, has in the past two years seen the event change. Terry Chung, director of operations, believes it now has a far greater global perspective. “It has got more important for the company to be there. In the past two years, the conference has offered a more international line-up with a big focus on China, Dubai and Russia,” he says. Chung describes EXPO Real as a venue where people can talk to a wide variety of property investors, architects, agents and occupiers. As the conference expands each year, visitors find more parties and functions being held outside the exhibition. Munich does not have the equivalent of the Croissette in Cannes, which buzzes with delegates during MIPIM. Nor does it have a harbour where companies can hire luxury yachts to host receptions. But the city does still have its charms (see panel, p94). “Munich is a great place. It’s historic. In previous years, the Oktoberfest ran into EXPO,” says Chung. As with all big events, the advice is to plan ahead, book meeting times in advance and pace yourself. Chung adds: “We are planning it as a European event. It is quite important to be there and be seen to be there.” |
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After a busy day at EXPO, and maybe a couple of drinks at one of the after-hours events, most people head into Munich city centre for the evening. The organisers of EXPO have produced a pocket guide to where to eat and drink with a city-centre map, taxi telephone numbers and, for the forgetful, a space to record your hotel address. The main cluster of bars and restaurants is in the old city centre, close to Marienplatz, 20-30 minutes on the underground rail from the exhibition halls. One regular visitor to Munich says: “The beer halls are splendid, with good food, drink and bands. There are dozens of good restaurants, many of them Italian.” Bars generally stay open until 1am, although hours may be extended during EXPO. One of the recommended haunts is the Hofbrauhaus behind Marienplatz. Founded in 1589, this hostelry is a good place for a drink in traditional surroundings. Those interested in the darker side of history may want to learn about the Hofbrauhaus’s connections to Adolf Hitler. It was at the famous beer hall that he made his first major speech, in 1920. Among the most popular hangouts in Munich is celebrity haunt Schumann’s on Odeonsplatz 6+7. Boris Becker is a regular, apparently. P1 on Prinzregentenstrasse hosts what is described as the property party to go to on Tuesday night. But if you have not got a ticket, you’ll have to look elsewhere. For a late meal, Bergwolf on Fraunhoferstrasse 17 stays open for food and drink until 3am. Typical Bavarian food is served at Zum Franziskaner on Residenzstrasse 9. If you can cram in some time for shopping, then check out the shops near Marienplatz. For something a bit more exclusive and upmarket, head to Funf Hofe. An alternative is Maximilianstrasse, which is Munich’s answer to Bond Street. There are bargains too. One regular says that Hugo Boss suits are much cheaper here than in the UK. |
