For 16 years, this was the time of checking the temperature in Cannes, making sure you actually had sun cream and packing the paracetamol! However, the last time I made it to the beach, bars and mad meeting schedule was 2019. Of course there was Covid, but that seemed to draw a line in the sand, especially for a lot of UK places and, if they’re not there we won’t be there. There are a lot of factors to consider for what used to be a no brainer, in fact a respected ex colleague said to me a few years ago, if he was down to his last few thousand pounds he’d still go to MIPIM! However, for a small business like ours it is eye wateringly expensive, flying at a time of real climate concern is a bit of a no no and it literally takes you out for a week; all that was still liveable with, if the UK places are there, but apart from the big guys they don’t seem to be.
And then, in 2022, the inevitable happened with a new kid on the block, UKREiiF. It was cheaper than Cannes, still next to water, even if it was the River Aire not the Med, and the sun shone! Councils didn’t need to justify going to Leeds and it was an easy way back to post Covid events so lots of places who wouldn’t consider MIPIM happily went up north. There were plenty of people to talk to, it was very professionally run with a great team and stimulating presentations. It had a great vibe and we certainly made as many connections as we would at MIPIM. Now, what it’ll be like if it rains (!) … who knows! So whilst there is more than a bit of passive nostalgia for MIPIM (and maybe a bit of envy) we’ll be legging it over to Leeds in May and hoping for another revved up REiiF.
If you’d like to learn more about our approach, or the places we’ve worked with in the last 17 years, and how we might be able to help you promote and develop your place, we’d be delighted to meet up at UKREiiF or arrange a call.
Either drop us an email at hello@thinkingplace.co.uk or you can ring the office on 01254 779149.
