Now then, if you don't count today, there are only 23 working days left until MIPIM. I say this just to scare the bejesus out of you all. Did it work?
Preparations in UKR are feverishly underway. We rocked around to Estates Gazette yesterday to discuss what will be the themes for MIPIM this year and, to be honest, it's rather difficult to assess. Obviously the Olympics, the recession and the eurozone crisis present a very mixed bag for the UK property industry and it is difficult to gauge the emerging themes and the mood.
Preparations in UKR are feverishly underway. We rocked around to Estates Gazette yesterday to discuss what will be the themes for MIPIM this year and, to be honest, it's rather difficult to assess. Obviously the Olympics, the recession and the eurozone crisis present a very mixed bag for the UK property industry and it is difficult to gauge the emerging themes and the mood.
But the UKR camp (and we'll be there in force, be afraid, be very afraid) is expecting a huge amount from MIPIM despite - or almost because of - the economic uncertainty out there. We are clear that if people just stop doing things - don't invest, don't develop - that we'll never get out of this mess. So we're being bold. We believe we've got to hold our nerve and find new ways of doing things. And you can work with us on this if you like; we're not proud or precious.
We have our UK Mission to MIPIM stand again this year, building on our inaugural presence in 2011, and I'm thrilled to report that it is better (and as well subscribed) as last time, despite the financial woes of many participants (for folks who are wavering, there is still time to join our family of like-minded peeps out there by following this link). A meaningful programme and - moreover - a proper laugh, is guaranteed as standard to the service).
But most exciting for us is the potential for the new things that we will be saying: it is common knowledge with all of you that UKR has been working with Barclays, Jones Lang LaSalle, and many other senior professionals to devise new models for investment in regeneration projects in partnership with local authorities. We hope to get some real traction around all of this at MIPIM 2012. And we are supporting Reed Midem, the event organisers by putting on a seminal programme around the future of residential development, notably the private rented sector.
So all to play for, and a real lot going on! Come on in! The water may not be lovely but, seriously, you can't just collapse in a heap in the corner, can you?
A little unrelated perhaps but I have just seen your post on YouTube commenting on the Fashion Hub proposal for the Olympic Park and felt compelled to say that I wholehearted agree. It is just what the area needs in marrying what already exists with new and fresh brands and tenants with attainable jobs for the local community. And as a Stratford lad - born and bred! - I concur that this, together with Westfield, is the start of its renaissance.
Good luck at MIPIM!