Manchester commits to pavilion for its 20th MIPIM

City council leader Sir Richard Leese announced at last night’s launch of Manchester’s MIPIM 2019 partnership that the city will return to its beachside pavilion, after storms forced a late change of plan this year.

Leese, who will return to lead the delegation, said that “very full investigations” have been taking place with event organiser ReedMIDEM and advisor Arup as to the robustness of the location, and said that ReedMIDEM’s chief executive had given assertions that the area would be secure.

Manchester, having outgrown its previous pitch in the main Palais des Festivals arena, moved to the waterfront in 2017, a warmly received move, but its plans were ruined by extreme weather this year.

All Manchester events bar the small-scale private dinners were relocated to a makeshift venue high up in the Palais, and while Leese said the team had done everything they could, “we didn’t get everything we wanted”.

Any returning partners from 2018 will receive a 20% discount on their booking, he said, adding ”this is not an early autumn sale, but to thank everyone for the fantastic support”.

As to the programme, Leese is keen that 2019 be a special year for the city, He said: “It’s our 20th year at MIPIM, our presence has continually grown, and the Manchester partnership has grown – its pleasing for us to be the glue holding the partnership together.

“We’re keen for partners to put forward detailed proposals for the programme – this isn’t a back of an envelope job, we need to assess the quality and range of proposals to show the breadth we have to offer as a city region.

“Quality of place is more important than anything else in property now, Manchester is not just somewhere people can come and plonk a building in, but can come to invest in people.”

Held in KPMG’s offices at One St Peter’s Square, the launch reflected on Manchester’s involvement in MIPIM since it joined in 2000. The 2018 event saw 108 companies and over 250 delegates represent Greater Manchester.

Manchester at MIPIM is coordinated by Marketing Manchester. Managing director Sheona Southern said: “Manchester at MIPIM 2019 stands to be an important milestone in Manchester’s work pitching itself on a global stage.

“We’re looking forward to a week of building on international relationships, attracting strategic investment, and promoting the Manchester brand to the world.”

MIPIM 2019 will take place between 12 March and 15 March in Cannes. Place North West has again secured official partnership status with ReedMidem and will be in attendance, offering a range of online and event opportunities for businesses to raise their profile. Further details can be viewed here.