Recently in Ken Bishop Category

Those who think MIPIM is a jolly in the sun will be heartened to know that yesterday was truly cold. Apparently, the conference has been moved a week earlier to accommodate the Porn Industry Festival. I will not attempt to find a common link... though several come to mind!

From its roots as an event focused on Europe, delegates can now see Brazil, Korea and Bahrain, among others, promoting themselves. Is this a sign of a genuine expectation of doing business; the increasing globalisation of the market; or clever opportunism by the promoters of the event?

The single biggest reason to be here remains the volume of people it is possible to meet in a short space of time. Organising diaries for such meetings back in the UK would be logistically challenging. Chance meetings and impromptu coffee or drinks are delightfully beneficial.

Without doubt this has, for me, been one of the most positive MIPIMs. The BS monitor has been evident by its absence and replaced by a serious can-do attitude and determination to prevail and succeed.

Ken Bishop is director, office agency, for DTZ and is based in Manchester

The halfway point has been reached. Everyone has arrived at MIPIM and the numbers of delegates are noticeably down from the peak of a few years ago. The benefit is a noticeably less frenetic, more business-like approach. "Manageable" is the expression most in use.

The general atmosphere, judging from the majority of people I have spoken to, is that the market is in for a long haul towards recovery. No one is suggesting any quick fixes. The mood is more of pragmatic acceptance and a desire to find creative solutions to development.

There is good news though. Enquiries from inward investors are picking up and this will provide a much-needed boost to the office market once they have been converted. Some interest is also being seen from offshore call centres returning to the UK.

The highlight on the Manchester stand was the launch of The Co-operative Group's masterplan for its ownership around Miller Street. The area has been branded NOMA (pictured). In total, the proposed development comprises 4m sq ft, with both new and refurbished accommodation, retail, office and residential uses.

Coupled with the plans for the regeneration of Victoria station, with the commercial quarter to be developed by Muse, this area of the city is set for an interesting and exciting rebirth.

Ken Bishop is director, office agency, for DTZ and is based in Manchester

MIPIM 2011 kicked off for me with Monday evening's Manchester drinks reception in the Manchester apartment, cannily located opposite the Palais. Given the support from the private sector this year this was a superb example of the public-private partnership which Manchester does so well and is the envy of most other regional cities. It is almost, dare I say, David Cameron's Big Society concept in action.

An interesting breakfast meeting at the Carlton Hotel, followed by a meeting on the DTZ boat, demonstrated the benefits of MIPIM. The invaluable exchange of ideas, information and opportunities would have been more difficult to arrange in the UK.

A tour of the exhibitions in the Palais showed the full range of schemes, from the sublime to the ridiculous. The model showing the City of London with the various office towers under construction was extremely well done. As for the more extreme exhibitions, these are probably best not mentioned.

Ken Bishop is director, office agency, for DTZ and is based in Manchester

MIPIM this year holds more promise this year than for the past four years. The usual challenge of the means of travel will be easier, courtesy of the special charter plane laid on by Manchester airport. Given the spread of the Manchester property market glitterati on board, the City might have considered taking key man insurance.

There has recently been a sense that, albeit slowly, the market is being to turn in the right direction. It will be interesting to see the collective mood of the conference after the challenges of recent years and to see whether my new-found optimism is generally shared.

What I am looking for this week? I will certainly be looking to extend, or cement, my range of contacts - which can be easier to achieve in the more informal and relaxed surroundings of MIPIM than is the case in the UK. There is also the opportunity to learn and to extend knowledge.

But key, of course, will be to spot the new business opportunities essential to make the investment in time and money beneficial and to make the physical and mental exhaustion - which comes from the route marches along La Croisette from meeting to meeting, event to event - worthwhile, not to mention the lack of sleep!

Ken Bishop is director, office agency, for DTZ and is based in Manchester