The world’s largest real estate show MIPIM kicks off later today, with Greater Birmingham showcasing its flagship development and regeneration projects across 11 events.
Following this evening’s Greater Birmingham Welcome Reception, offering a first opportunity to highlight the area’s investment opportunities to MIPIM’s international audience of more than 20,000 delegates, attention will turn to a packed events agenda on day two.
On Wednesday 12th, Greater Birmingham will take part in two events on this year’s prestigious main MIPIM conference programme at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.
Leader of Birmingham City Council Sir Albert Bore will join Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council; Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council; and George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol, in a panel discussion organised by GVA on the knowledge economy in the UK’s cities.
Sir Albert will then debate the potential of HS2 to transform the regions and rebalance the UK economy alongside Riordan; Duncan Sutherland, Non Executive Director, HS2 Ltd; Jon Collins, Leader, Nottingham City Council; and the event chair Louise Brooke-Smith, President Elect, RICS. He will also attend the sixth edition of MIPIM’s Mayors’ Think Tank, which will see political leaders from around the world take part in a round table discussion on the challenges currently facing international cities.
Greater Birmingham’s stand R27.09 will host a series of events on Wednesday surrounding the region’s key transport and infrastructure developments. These include the international unveiling to global investors and developers of the Birmingham Curzon HS2 Masterplan, transforming 141 hectares of the city centre as part of one of the biggest urban regeneration schemes in the UK.
Delegates to the stand will also be able to hear more about development opportunities at Birmingham Airport in an event focusing on its expanding connectivity and additional capacity. Sir Albert Bore said: “There is a real buzz about Birmingham at the moment. While we have seen recent success, we aren’t resting on our laurels as we move to open up further investment opportunities – on a scale that will transform our area and deliver significant returns for those who join us.
“Our diverse events programme at MIPIM will showcase bold developments, with rich opportunities for capital investment. From the international launch of our Curzon Street Masterplan to UK Central – one of the biggest investment opportunities in the UK at the heart of the country’s transport networks – Greater Birmingham is thinking big and can deliver even bigger returns.”
Greater Birmingham’s presence at MIPIM 2014, with a record 27 partners, builds on the success of 2013’s show, which involved 11 events and 18 partners. It generated more than 150 pieces of positive media coverage about the city as a business destination – while Business Birmingham’s website received more than 2,000 visits during the event, a 30 per cent increase on 2012.
