Like your MIPIM networking with an extra talking point? Fancy a change from continental beers? Feeling sporty or want to rub shoulders with a sporting legend? This year’s show has it all. So here is your handy guide to the more unusual events and activities you can take part in down in Cannes
Feeling sporty?
• Start MIPIM off on the right foot with a sociable run on the evening of Monday 14 March. Check in, grab your trainers and head to the Radisson Blu at 6pm for
@runMIPIM. It’s an out-and-back route at what is described as a “casual pace” and there will be additional runs during the week if your energy levels are still up to it.
• Rugby fans of the playing, as opposed to the armchair, variety can join a game of tag rugby on Le Plage Goeland at midday on Thursday 17 March organised by the Leicester Local Enterprise Partnership.
There will be some professionals helping, including ex-international and former Tigers hooker George Chuter, Leicester City legend Matt Elliot and former England and Tigers player Leon Lloyd, for added inspiration. See the MIPIM Tough Guide (www.mipimtoughguide.com) for details.
Feeling (indoor) sporty?
For connoisseurs of indoor sports, the Invest Newcastle stand (C19.A) is hosting a daily table football tournament between 5pm and 6pm, Tuesday 15-Thursday 17 March. It will no doubt be thirsty work, so there will be refreshments with a North East flavour on offer.
• For (virtual) petrol heads, Leamington Spa-based Playground Games has brought its Forza Horizon 2 game for delegates to show off their skills behind the wheel on the Coventry and Warwickshire stand (P-1.G8). There will be prizes for daily competition winners as well as for the overall winners of the week.
• Hoping to ace MIPIM this year? MIPIM delegates are being urged to Make a Racket and raise funds for property industry charity LandAid.
The second LandAid MIPIM Tennis Classic, in association with BNP Paribas Real Estate, is being held at the prestigious Cannes Tennis Club, behind the Martinez Hotel, on 16 March.
It costs £1,000 per player to don your whites and take part. For a charge of £50, spectators can watch the action while enjoying a morning of corporate hospitality. Proceeds will go to LandAid.
JPW Real Estate and Folio UK are founding partners of the event, which is being headline sponsored by BNP Paribas Real Estate, with Essential Living as silver sponsor.
Other supporters include Assael Architecture, Inspired Asset Management, Loft Interiors, London at MIPIM, Lorenz Consultancy and Estates Gazette. It’s not too late to book seats or secure your place in the match. To do so, go to www.mipimtennis.org.
Food and drink
• The Scottish Cities Alliance stand (P-1.D22 – P-1.E20) has got it covered when it comes to drink-tasting events. On Tuesday 15 March at 4pm it will have Scottish gin and whisky cocktails. On Wednesday 16 at 4pm there is whisky from each of the Scottish cities to sample. And on Thursday 17 at 2.30pm each city will be offering up a craft beer to taste. There will be something for all palates, unless you are one of the very few who prefer to have a dry MIPIM. Such people do exist.
• Self conscious about grabbing a handful of sweets from a stand as you pass? Then you need a legitimate cake fix. Head over to the Hounslow stand in the London Pavilion on Tuesday 15 between 10am and 10.30am
where Pick Everard is celebrating its 150th anniversary and will be hosting a birthday party complete with cake and fizz.
• Tired of croissants? Then you’ll want some plum bread from the Greater Lincolnshire stand (R7.C16). It will be served at 4.30pm on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 and 4pm on Thursday 17. It’s a local delicacy (and possibly one of your five a day), as are Lincolnshire sausages, which will be served at the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership networking brunch at The Grand between 11am and 1pm on Wednesday 16.
And they’re off…
Estates Gazette presents: the Cheltenham Festival at MIPIM
Busy at MIPIM but torn over missing the racing at Cheltenham? Why not join the Estates Gazette team for a drink and the opportunity to catch some of the races, including the Ryanair Steeplechase and the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, from 2.30pm on Thursday 17 March at Morrisons Irish pub. There will also be a special EG sweepstake. Raising money for LandAid, the event is organised by Estates Gazette with support from Xavier Pullen, Bluefin, Innesco, Helical Bar and Malcolm Hollis.
Celeb corner
• One of the best-known, but now retired, footballers of the last couple of decades is expected in Cannes, following in the footsteps of Gary Neville, who was a star draw in Cannes last year.
• He won’t be the only sporting professional in attendance though. Leicester is hosting a “legends lunch” which includes ex-England and Leicester Tigers stars George Chuter and Leon Lloyd and former Leicester City player Matt Elliot (now Radio Leicester match day commentator). Or you can catch them at Leicester’s tag rugby game – see above.
• Nottingham’s footballing history is being drawn on for an invite-only dinner where 1970s’ Nottingham Forest players Gary Birtles and John Robertson will be in attendance.
• Coventry and Warwickshire will have Wasps rugby players Chris Bel and Andrea Masi on their stand (P-1.G8). The pair will be competing on the Forza Horizon 2 game (see
above) on Wednesday 16 between 3.30pm and 5pm. They will also take part in a special Question of Sport on the stand on Thursday 17 between 3.30pm and 5pm.
Party time
• The days of bands like The Stranglers being flown down to Cannes to entertain MIPIM-goers have long gone, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t live music to enjoy. Hogan Lovells’ real estate team is hosting its annual, invite-only yacht party on Wednesday 16 from 10pm with the house band playing rock anthem cover versions. Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes and dust off the air-guitar.
• Iceni Projects and KDH Associates is hoping their party goes with a splash. It’s a daytime affair – from 9.30am on Thursday 17 – with a DJ and heated swimming pool for guests who want to take the plunge. Is this the first MIPIM pool party? We’re not sure, but don’t forget to pack your swimming gear.
