MIPIM 2015: Chance to debate role of cities, says Bernstein

Eleven partners have already signed up to the city's delegation for next year's MIPIM, organiser Marketing Manchester said following a launch event this week.

The first companies and organisations on board are NOMA, Capital & Centric, Airport City, Addleshaw Goddard , Bruntwood, Laing O'Rourke, Estate Master, AEW Architects, GVA, Colliers International and Zerum.

Addressing the guests at the launch reception in the old rates hall at Manchester Town Hall Extension on Wednesday night, Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council, said the global property convention in Cannes is an opportunity to develop a "new narrative" and to explore "issues that affect similar places around the world."

Bernstein said Mipim had become a "platform for debate about the future of cities." Property needs to play a different part in this debate, he said, and the Manchester delegation could use the gathering to formulate the "questions we ask of government to create attractive and sustainable places." Mipim was an "opportunity to learn what we do together and support new entrants into our market."

Bernstein said he was excited to be returning to the subject of Mipim at a time of increased development activity in the city. This week he has been at the opening of Citylabs, the launch for a naming partner at HOME in First Street and the opening of the refurbished Sevendale House office building in the Northern Quarter.

"We need to share and articulate the city as a national driver of growth," Bernstein concluded.

• MIPIM is due to take place from 10 to 13 March 2015. For details of Manchester's sponsorship packages click here.
• Liverpool's MIPIM launch event is due to be held on 25 September. Email egorman@liverpoolvision.co.uk for details and to confirm attendance