Manchester cancels MIPIM stand for 2021

Promotional body Marketing Manchester has withdrawn plans to exhibit at the property expo in the South of France next June in response to feedback from its delegation during the current climate.

It will be the first time in the history of MIPIM Cannes that the city of Manchester has not taken a stand at the event. Marketing Manchester also said it would be “reviewing its long-term involvement with MIPIM for the future”.

The decision was taken after the organsation conducted a survey of the 95 companies and 200 individuals signed as trade partners in its delegation for the 2020 MIPIM event that was due to be held in Cannes from 10-13 March.

Organiser Reed MIDEM postponed the conference until June this year due to restrictions around the coronavirus pandemic, and then combined it with the company’s other related events in Paris. It announced last week that the next edition of the show would take place on 7-10 June 2021.

Marketing Manchester has now told delegates it has decided against organising a stand at next year’s event due to the “ongoing health and financial risks” and will be reviewing its involvement with MIPIM in the future.

The email from Marketing Manchester’s managing director Sheona Southern said: “I would like to thank those partners who completed the survey that was circulated with my last update. Your support, guidance and feedback is very much appreciated and has been essential for shaping the decision regarding Manchester’s attendance at MIPIM in 2021.

“Now, in light of Reed Midem’s announcement that it will be moving MIPIM 2021 to June, I feel it is important to feedback on the survey and clarify Manchester’s position regarding the event.

“Having taken all partner and stakeholder feedback into account, the ongoing situation with regards to Covid-19 and the financial risk for all involved, we have confirmed with Reed Midem that Manchester will not be exhibiting independently at MIPIM next year.

“The decision – taken from feedback via the survey and conversations the team held directly with partners – is that this is both a responsible and a sensible route forward for the time being.

“This will allow the partnership to pause and review our long-term involvement with MIPIM in the future.”

Southern noted in her email that the Government’s Department for International Trade is “still keen to support any UK delegate or city that wishes to attend as part of the UK Pavilion” and that Marketing Manchester is happy to facilitate an introduction for any members of its 2020 delegation.

In lieu of attending MIPIM 2021, the organisation is seeking to arrange a series of virtual events for its partners throughout the year, “providing insight and addressing key issues, and highlighting opportunity sectors and the strategic ambitions of Greater Manchester”, Southern added.

These events will be developed in collaboration with national cities and regions such as London, Liverpool and the Midlands.

“The overall aim is to develop a platform whereby our partners can have a voice until the time is right to meet face to face once again,” she added.

 

Your Comments

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This is really pathetic, spineless and not the right signal from Manchester. We seem to have a bunch of adult nappy wearers instead of serious people now. Can you see Churchill, Thatcher, Burke, Pitt, Disraeli taking such a stance? No. They would get out there after looking at the data and get Manchester to stay in the minds of the world’s investment crowd. Everyone has become wet.

By Richard

Thank goodness for that. Long past its sell by date.

By Derek

It’s just a giant Freshers week for dads who don’t get out much. The only people who ‘get business done’ are the locals….

By Elvis

Good decision, given the council and MM have enough things to deal with including the lack of money it makes sense.

By CityCentre

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