MIPIM to go ahead, organisers say

The MIPIM property expo in Cannes will go ahead as planned with heightened public health measures to guard against coronavirus, the event’s organisers said.

The event is due to take place on 10-13 March in the South of France and is expected to attract around 27,000 delegates from around the world.

There have been rising concerns due to the location’s proximity to North Italy, where there have been several outbreaks of the illness.

A clutch of private sector names have pulled out of the event, including agencies Knight Frank, Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE and Savills, alongside developer investors Landsec and Grosvenor, accountancy firm EY, and Lloyds Bank.

However, city delegations organised by Manchester, Liverpool and the Cheshire and Warrington LEP on Thursday confirmed their attendance and said they were continuing to monitor the situation. MIPIM’s organisers followed up on Friday, stating that the event will still be going ahead.

A MIPIM spokesperson said in a statement: “Firstly, we extend our best wishes to those clients who have made the very difficult decision to not attend MIPIM 2020.

“We do not underestimate how challenging this decision has been for them. They are long-standing members of the MIPIM family and we look forward to welcoming them back in 2021.

“However, while we appreciate the situation is continually evolving, as of today more than 90% of companies remain committed to attend MIPIM. Therefore, we re-confirm that MIPIM will run as scheduled on 10-13 March.”

The decision to go ahead with the conference “is based on current facts and guidance from local, national and international authorities including the World Health Organization”, the statement said. “There is no travel ban in place across France, and France and Cannes are not identified as areas of concern.”

Medical measures introduced by organising body Reed Midem include:

• A reinforced medical team at the venue
• Increased standards of hygiene and cleanliness, including hand disinfectant gel in all public zones within the Palais des Festivals
• Strengthened collaboration with local partners (airport, hotels, City of Cannes authority) to ensure vigilance and health and safety processes
• Communication of WHO recommendations regarding hand, respiratory and best hygiene practices, with reminders on-site such as signage and dedicated staff training
• Additional support to exhibitors that wish to adopt specific hygiene measures for their stands

The statement added: “We are pleased to confirm that our programme of content remains inspiring with major keynotes and senior figures including mayors, political leaders and key stakeholders from the real estate industry. Investor participation continues to be strong with many reaffirming their support.

“MIPIM will have a dedicated medical team in place in Cannes and will be working with the city and health authorities to ensure that any delegate will have access to full medical treatment and guidance in the unlikely event that it is required.

“We look forward to welcoming participants and we remain committed to ensuring that all MIPIM attendees have a safe and productive stay in Cannes.”

Reed Midem asked any clients with specific concerns to contact their local MIPIM representatives.