Wow, it’s been a long time but networking, appointments, meeting great people and pressing the flesh is back, and boy it felt good!
I’m sure most people thought, new event, will it work, will people turn up, what will the vibe be like and will it deliver.
Well, UKREiiF delivered in spades … people said the content was bang on (though we didn’t see much of it due to appointments!), the venue worked really well (might be more challenging if it rained), the process of attending was slick, the support team were absolutely amazing with not just help but proactive help including hats due to the blistering Leeds sun! and the city looked magnificent.
Maybe everyone was so glad to be at an event like this again, maybe it was the weather which really was unbelievable but everyone was super chilled, friendly and willing to chat … it really was just like MIPIM.
We met lots of old friends, made lots of new ones, had so many useful conversations which we’ll be following up on and it was refreshing to see a much more diverse set of delegates. For us it was interesting how many places and developments had great plans but no narrative and are perhaps thinking differently about that now especially given funding pot proliferation!
Our Tuesday evening drinks reception was truly magic and way beyond our expectations in terms of attendance and atmosphere with lots of lovely comments from guests.
Will this become the go to event rather than MIPIM, probably not and there’s room for both but it showed the UK can put on something of scale and quality for property and place.
We’ll be back next year, the drinks reception is already booked and let’s pray for some more great weather so we can all come alive again in Leeds in 2023!
