MIPIM is it worth it, is it needed…? It was certainly good to be back. Just my thoughts on the Cannes thing.
I’d previously attended MIPIM in 2014, 2015 + 2016 when I was MD of Innov8. Initially attending as part of the Marketing Manchester delegation (2014), and then when Liverpool returned in 2015, joining both Liverpool + Manchester delegations. I see great value in conferences + networking events such as MIPIM, for many reasons, some are less obvious:
profile raising, lead generation, catch up with existing clients, an opportunity to learn + step back from the cold face (in an environment such as Cannes), intelligence + innovation + education, focus on new office/business locations, new sector penetration, JV partnering + strategic alliances, competitor activity…FOMO is not a reason for going (you know who you are)!
I often get asked ‘is it essential’, well ‘no’ is the answer and it is difficult to measure the ROI, but I think there is huge value here, even for SME’s and micro businesses. There is also the question what your/the businesses specific drivers are for attending (and investing in MIPIM). For us/P4, we have spent the last six years, since we formed in 2017, with head down, delivering, retaining clients and gaining a positive reputation. With the activity we have invested into the Building Safety Act (BSA) over the last three years, and as the business matures, evolves…we felt it was time.
So on the return, I went solo in the end, to dip our/P4 toe in, bearing in mind the motivator for returning to MIPIM, was after attending a hugely positive and enjoyable UKREIIF in May 2023. During my previous visits to Cannes, I had always joined a delegation, at great cost (but also great benefit). I feel as we’ve matured as a business and our reasons for attending MIPIM, was very much focused on BSA profile. Place North West offered a fantastic package, that worked so well for us (thank you to the team there, brilliant pre-MIPIM support, during and after). Non-negotiables that we stuck too + recommend – accommodation within a sensible walking distance from conference + marina (circa 15-minute walk from apartment to ‘Bunker’ / Café Roma).
I purchased a conference pass (circa £2,250.00), but didn’t use it at all this year – mainly due to organising events we were hosting, attending Place North West events + only being there for three days. It doesn’t need to be expensive, especially by avoiding the main parts of the old town and the ‘big’ hotels. I felt this year, compared to previous visits, I wasn’t tied to the stand and/or felt obliged to attend events, I have no interest in or will benefit P4.
MIPIM is it worth it, is it needed…? That depends on what you want from it! Like many of these things, you get back what you put in. Regardless of approach and strategy – it is important to prepare the diary early, factor in key events, organise accommodation and flights now for (or very soon) for 2025.
High-level summary:
– most enjoyable MIPIM to date, with only three key anchor/fixed events/meetings, across three days. Enjoyed three long days, even booking an earlier flight to come home Wednesday night + getting brownie points with the missus and the boys at home.
– more chance meetings occurred over lunches and between the few events we attended – you can overpack and be driven by the diary (like I was in previous years).
– superb value + benefits in joining the Place North West delegation – which reaped greater benefits of being tied to an unnecessarily expensive delegation. MIPIM/Cannes isn’t cheap but it doesn’t have to be expensive and joining a delegation is extremely beneficial for some, but not essential (and expensive).
– another high profile and successful BSA breakfast with our friends/partners at JMW Solicitors and Earl Kendrick.
– the Brock Carmichael Architects lunch, right at the top of the old town, was a highlight and have already invited myself to next years.
– we’ll be back in 2025, motivated + prepared.
We push onto UKREIIF in May with invites out for two events we are co-hosting with Brock Carmichael Architects and AJP on the Tuesday (21/05). Which is a drinks event in central Leeds between 1530hrs-1900hrs and an evening meal for clients + colleagues.
Lastly – look out for the Place North West BSA Conference we are headlining sponsor for with our friends JMW Solicitors, Earle Kendrick + Hydrock, register interest here https://linktr.ee/projectfour_cdm
