All aboard for Cannes

Cannes becomes the center of the real-estate world this week, as MIPIM rolls into town, and from March 14-17 agents, companies, developers and investors will take over the Palais des Festivals.

The convention brings together investors, end users, local government, international companies, local firms and the media to discuss, interact and hopefully make the deals that will shape the industry in the coming year. The event also hosts a number of key conferences and discussions.

The conferences get underway on Tuesday with a discussion with two of Europe's best-known mayors, Ken Livingstone from London and Bertrand Delanoe from Paris, and a discussion on the Great Wall of Chinese money. There will also be a look at the Arabian Gulf market and renowned architect Zaha Hadid will deliver a keynote address.

Wednesday sees the focus switch to Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, on Thursday a key discussion will take place on the Russian market, and Frank Duffy will deliver a keynote speech.

A number of events will also run during the week, with the spectacular opening cocktail party getting the property ball rolling on Tuesday night in the Carlton Hotel. The MIPIM awards ceremony takes place on Thursday in the Grand Auditorium.

Last year saw almost 18,000 participants attend MIPIM, and this year the organizers are hoping to set a new record and top the 20,000 mark. With more than 18,000 sqm of exhibition space and over 2,000 companies in attendance from 74 countries, this year promises to be just as spectacular.

For further details see www.mipim.com. Lokale Immobilia will bring you full coverage of the event in the coming weeks.