"We're all white, middle-aged men anyway"

Mipim is not really my scene. But the recent article in Britain's The Lawyer still seemed vaguely familiar from having attended so many different Cannes events. On the one hand, you have the sharp players that have everything worked out and know when to schmooze in town and when to whisk the right people out of sight for a quiet "chat". On the other, the people straight off the boat that end up in the bar way too late. If you ever think of bringing a company to Cannes - whether it be for Midem or Mipcom - this gives an idea of how business is done outside the Palais (but don't forget the foot soldiers that can pick up plenty of business inside the Palais - this article doesn't even mention them). Check it out on The Lawyer.

Quote of the week: a certain Tim Jones was invited, but ended up wearing the badge of another Tim Jones. "It doesn't matter, we're all white, middle-aged men anyway." The funny thing is, if you replace the pin-stripes in the article by leather jackets, he could be describing Midem or the festival.

Stuck for a room for Mipim? Try a boat

I couldn't help noticing that Reed Midem are offering rooms aboard a liner for Mipim this year. I'm not too sure what to think. Given the extraordinary number of people that attend Mipim, it makes sense to stay in the bay rather than in places as far away as Nice. Plus, boats are romantic (kind of). I've joined Stella Artois when they had luxury liners in the bay. What can I say? One gets used to 5-star treatment after a while! Plus, it really is nice to wake up aboard a boat. The MV Rhapsody is not quite 5-star. But it's still worth considering, with prices from €350 per night per cabin. For details, visit the Mipim Boat.

5 UK property professionals to cycle to Cannes

If ever there was an initiative that itself deserves the title "Cannes or Bust", it must be this. Five property professionals from Liverpool in the UK are to cycle to Cannes for Mipim instead of flying. The goal is to raise £500,000 for charity. Covering the 1,500 kms will take them six days. The five are James Tottle (Savills), Barry Crichton (Drivers Jonas), Jon Matthews (HKR), Mark Whittaker (Peel Holdings) and Chris Brown (Igloo Regeneration).

If anyone has a link to this initiative, please post it below.

MIPIM awards salute outstanding real estate projects

The prestigious MIPIM Awards honour the most outstanding real estate projects of the previous year. On Thursday 15 March 2007, the international jury revealed this year's winners. The jury also gave out a Special Jury Award and, for the first time ever, a Special Tribute to a project in line with sustainable and environmental features.

The winners in the five sections are:
* Business centres - Portico, Spain
* Refurbished Office Building - Belmont Court (Belgium)
* Hotel and Tourism Resort - Malmaison Oxford, UK
* Shopping Centres - Europa Passage, Germany
* residential Developments - Colliers Kirinda, Sri Lanka

The refurbishment of 7 World Trade Center (US) was given a Special Jury Award.

For more details, visit Mipim.com.

MIPIM unveils new property market at Cannes

Reed MIDEM, organisers of most of the trade fairs in Cannes, announced today that they will launch MIPIM HORIZONS, a new international property tradeshow in Cannes, in September 2008. This latest addition to the Reed MIDEM portfolio will be based on the successful MIPIM property market which takes place annually in Cannes, in March.

So why a second MIPIM? The event will focus on countries and regions which have strong business potential and are of particular interest to the property investment community. Special focus will be on Central Europe, the Middle East, members of the Russian Federation, Central Asia and Latin America.

“Since it was launched in Cannes in 1990, MIPIM has established itself as the single most important international tradeshow for the property business,” commented Reed MIDEM Chief Executive Officer, Paul Zilk. “International investors are seeking new business around the world and this show is designed to help them discover countries and regions with particularly attractive investment opportunities." Won't there be confusion between the two events? "In the television sector, we already hold two events, MIPTV and MIPCOM in Cannes, now we will have two dedicated property shows in the city.”

This year's MIPIM opens on March 13.

MIPIM sets record attendance

The upcoming MIPIM fair looks like being a bumper year. Some 25,000 visitors are expected, 16% up on last year. According to the organisers, a number of regions are seeing surges in growth. They include the Russian Federation (up 77%), Sweden (24%), Denmark (40%) and the Middle East generally (31%). Brazil and Mexico are also up.

They will be meeting in a Palais that this year extends to nearly 24,000m² with the addition of extra facilities on the top level of the Riviera that was inaugurated at this year's Midem.

This year's Speed Matching projects that connects projects with investors were chosen by a panel of investment experts. They include Mixed Use, Hotel & Tourism, Office Buildings, Hospitals and Funds. “The submissions ranged from projects in newly emerging markets to in-fill sites in mature economies. Anyone viewing the presentations at MIPIM will have his fingers on the pulse of creative real estate development worldwide” said James Fetgatter, President of AFIRE (Association of Foreign Investment in Real Estate) and President of the Jury.