East Midlands teams begin work on alternative MIPIM plans

The co-ordinators behind an East Midlands team which is having to rearrange its MIPIM plans in light of the postponement of the property show in Cannes have urged attendees to “wait until the fog clears a little” before making fresh plans for the show.

Associate Events, which was working with Team Leicester on its presence at MIPIM, says the news, which will now see the event go ahead in June, is “far from ideal.”

International property exhibition MIPIM was postponed by organisers on Saturday (29 February), little more than a week before thousands of UK property professionals were due to head to France.

The annual event attracts a global audience of investors, developers, and local and national governments keen to build relationships and reputations.

However as the coronavirus epidemic has gathered pace – and the host town of Cannes declared its first confirmed case – major firms pulled out and it became inevitable that the event would not be taking place as scheduled.

Paul Zilk, chief executive of organisers Reed MIDEM, said: “The well-being of our clients and staff is our priority. Given the evolving context, the best course of action is to postpone MIPIM to June.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly. We believe these new dates will provide the international MIPIM community with the opportunity to achieve their business objectives.

“We are grateful to our clients for their support and constructive input during this challenging period, and we look forward to talking with them in the coming days about MIPIM in June.”

The event is being rescheduled, to June 2-5.

Alister de Ternant, managing director of Associate Events, said: “Following their formal reassurance on Friday that MIPIM2020 would go ahead, ReedMidem took the decision to reschedule the event amid growing concerns related to the coronavirus (Covid-19). It is now due to take place from 2 to 5 June, in Cannes.

“The French Authorities have also since placed a ban upon all events in the country with a capacity over 5,000 people for a ‘short’ period of time. Their future position is also highly open to interpretation.

“On behalf of several clients affected by this news [including Team Leicester], the Associate Events team have been back in the office and have been liaising with suppliers, stakeholders, local authorities and ReedMidem in order to minimise the impact on everyone concerned.

“We are strongly recommending to our clients not to take directly reactive plans until the ‘fog’ clears a little; which we expect (speaking with ReedMidem) to be on Tuesday or Wednesday. That said, our contingency plans are now coming into force.

“MIPIM2020 may well still go ahead in June and we are planning in this vein. We are now liaising with all of our clients regarding postponement arrangements and, should the situation not resolve as quickly as it is hoped, a cancellation contingency. However, we hope in the interests of all parties concerned that this will be a temporary arrangement and we continue to maintain a positive outlook in the hope that MIPIM will go ahead in June, as proposed.

“This is far from an ideal position for anyone. Our clients have the full and unconditional support of Associate Events to bring this to the best resolve possible, and we will continue to work in complete and incontrovertible partnership, despite the direct financial implications upon our agency.”

Meanwhile, the organiser of an alternative to MIPIM has said that his event in Nottingham is now “centre stage.”

Stephen Barker, CEO of NIPIM organisers The Creative Quarter Company

Stephen Barker, chief executive of Creative Quarter Nottingham, now wants to make NIPIM, which takes place at Surface Gallery at Sneinton Market from 8.30am on Wednesday 11 March, bigger and attract more people than ever this year.

Barker said: “My first thoughts are of course with those most directly affected by the coronavirus, but it is a great shame that MIPIM is postponed, so much important business is done there. Lots of property and regeneration professionals will be looking for other opportunities to meet up next week and luckily Nottingham has one ‘oven-ready’.”

“NIPIM is normally for those of us who are not heading to Cannes but now that none of us are it can play a bigger part. We’ll be extending and expanding the program to attract even more people to hear even more great, but still short and sharp, stories about Nottingham’s live developments, upcoming plans and ambitions for the future.

“If your diary is all of a sudden looking clear next week, join us at Surface Gallery at Sneinton Market from 8.30am on Wednesday March 11th.”