It will be an amazing edition and the first time the real estate industry will get the opportunity to gather all together in two years, says Ronan Vaspart, MIPIM Managing Director.
The whole global real estate industry is looking forward to gathering again at MIPIM in Cannes (15-18 March), but those who are really eager to see it happen after two years of postponing are the organizers of the event, RX France. Ronan Vaspart, MIPIM Managing Director, shared with us how challenging it was to prepare the event, why MIPIM 22 is a bit special and what we shouldn’t miss in the programme.
Since the MIPIM was postponed twice in the last two years due to the pandemic, how challenging and difficult was it to organize the event for this March?
It’s true that the event industry has faced huge challenges in the past two years due to the pandemic. MIPIM had to reschedule and then postpone the 2020 edition just a few weeks before. It was a difficult decision to take, but two years later, we all agree that there was no other choice. MIPIM can be proud of having such loyal partners and clients. However, we never stopped. After creating our first digital platform in April 2020 to allow the real estate community to gather digitally and enjoy content, we organized the Paris Real Estate Week in Paris in September 2020 and the MIPIM September edition in Cannes in 2021.
But it’s true that MIPIM 22 is a bit special for us. Till January 2022, nothing was 100% sure and we didn’t know if we could organise a "normal" MIPIM. My team and I worked really hard to make this MIPIM possible and to allow the real estate and tech community to be back in Cannes. Restrictions are currently being lifted in Europe, especially in France. MIPIM 22 will be a success.
What is the response and interest of participants this year compared to previous years? Do you notice some changes in the number and type of participants, countries, or real estate trends?
We are happy to confirm that we have as many exhibitors from Europe and the Middle East as in 2019. To date, MIPIM will welcome 350 stands and pavilions, and we are expecting nearly 18,000 people in Cannes in March. It will be an amazing edition and the first time the real estate industry will get the opportunity to gather all together in two years. In 2019, we welcomed 25,000+ delegates. This year, we won’t have the pleasure of welcoming the Asian delegates due to travel restrictions. Of course, due to the current context, Russia will not be exhibiting either.
The MIPIM itself is a special event which used to be the highlight of the industry’s calendar. What will make MIPIM "especially special" this March and what do you suggest we shouldn't miss at the event?
François Hollande, President of the Republic from 2012 to 2017 and one of the architects of the Paris Agreements in 2015, will do the honours of delivering the opening speech. He will outline his vision of the real estate sector’s challenges and opportunities and discuss how real estate can "drive urban change." It will also address major societal issues, post-pandemic health and well-being measures, the fight for diversity, equality, and employment.
MIPIM 2022 will also put a lot of emphasis on innovation, technology, and data at the service of the city’s fabric. Indeed, for the first time, Propel by MIPIM will be organised at the same time as MIPIM in Cannes and will have a dedicated area to highlight innovative start-ups serving real estate. This event, which took place in Paris in the summer, therefore joins its "big brother" in Cannes because it seems essential to us that the real estate and tech players be brought together under the same roof. Nearly 100 start-ups will be exhibiting in Cannes, and many more as visitors.
By: Gordana Knežević Monašević
Photo: mipim.com
