EDITOR’S COMMENT There is no denying that MIPIM is smaller this year. The queues are here but they are shorter, Bar Roma is full but not overflowing into the road, the number of suits floating up and down the Croisette is lower too.
But I’m a big believer in small is perfectly formed. And while there is still a little of the old MIPIM around, particularly later in the evenings, the new MIPIM feels a bit more focused.
The content here is good. There are interesting topics being debated, a real focus on regeneration, transformation and lifting real estate up. ESG is being talked about more than the last five MIPIMs combined. Some of it is clearly greenwash, but much of it is well intentioned and being actioned.
However, what is being talked about most is how great it is to actually meet people again. Bumping into people, sharing snippets of information – including the traditional M&A MIPIM gossip – reconnecting and rebuilding relationships is high on everyone’s agenda this year.
And while not everyone is here, the right people for right now seem to be.
Homes England is here in force with a decent representation from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities too. No Michael Gove but the very new housing minister Stuart Andrew insisted on being here.
Government is determined to get itself in front of the private sector, in front of the great wall of capital that is apparently waiting to flood into the UK. This could be the MIPIM where real estate gets to talk, properly, to those who can make things happen.
The mood, while clearly tempered by the current geopolitical situation, is relatively upbeat. The challenge of Covid has now become an opportunity for change.
Our cities are all pushing place, showcasing their brands and competing for the UK as a whole, rather than just against each other. And they are confident that investment to enable them to “level up” is out there.
There’s also a surprisingly positive view on retail, with many believing it is on the edge of a new dawn; that the death of the high street might actually be over.
Of course, that optimism could be down to the fact we’re all not sat in front of our computers on another Teams call, but are instead enjoying some fresh but beautiful south-of-France sunshine. It might be down to the fact that life feels decidedly normal again – at least here in this bubble – or maybe it is because things are looking up for real estate and the UK as a whole. Maybe there are good stories to tell, maybe investment is focused on the UK, maybe the public and private sector are committed to working together to develop place, maybe everyone here does care about the environment and social impact – certainly most people I’ve spoken to have taken the train at least one way.
Whatever it is, it’s been great to have the conversations again. To bump into someone and just talk.
I’ve never been a fan of MIPIM, if I’m honest. I’ve never really understood the need to go en masse to somewhere else to meet a bunch of people you should be able to see at home. But this year’s event may have finally converted me. I’ve missed it and I’m happy to be back.
Talking of excellent in-real-life events, the EG Tech Awards is back. We will be back live at the Brewery on 6 July and ready to celebrate the very best in real estate tech. If you haven’t already entered, we’re extending the deadline to 15 April. Find out more at https://blog3.s47657.p1364.sites.pressdns.com/eg-events/eg-tech-awards
To send feedback, e-mail samantha.mcclary@eg.co.uk or tweet @samanthamcclary or @EGPropertyNews
