MIPIM ‘to still go ahead’ in June

The Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership said it is unlikely to attend the four-day property expo in Cannes, despite organiser Reed MIDEM maintaining the event will take place in June as planned. 

A spokesperson for the LEP said: “No formal decision has been taken, but there appear to be a lot of challenges to overcome if we were to attend.”

Held annually in the south of France, the 2020 edition of MIPIM was pushed back from March to last June because of continued uncertainty around the pandemic but was ultimately cancelled.

Instead, MIPIM 2020 was incorporated with the company’s other related events in Paris last September.

Then, last October, it was decided that March 2021 would be too soon for this year’s expo because of the effects of the pandemic and the event was rearranged to take place from 7 to 10 June.  

This remains the plan, according to organisers, as doubts continue to mount over whether rules around air travel and large gatherings will be relaxed sufficiently by then to allow the event to take place. This week, Glastonbury Festival organisers cancelled the event for a second year running due to ongoing concerns. 

With infection rates still high across much of Europe, some commentators have questioned the wisdom of holding MIPIM this year. 

However, a statement from Reed MIDEM said yesterday: “Our aim is to hold MIPIM in June 2021. We continue to monitor French government recommendations concerning the pandemic and will inform our clients of any changes in a timely manner.” 

At the time the festival was moved to June, MIPIM director Ronan Vaspart said that around 70% of exhibitors had confirmed they would attend the 2021 event. 

However, Marketing Manchester has decided not to exhibit at MIPIM 2021 following discussions with its delegates. 

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

Liverpool has yet to decide whether it will send a delegation to the event.