Guest blog: Stephanie Mullenger, MAG Developments

MIPIM is a vital showpiece for us as a business and particularly this year when we will be talking to an international audience about the Airport City project. There are already large developments moving ahead across Greater Manchester with MediaCityUK now open and the BBC amongst a variety of tenants taking up residence, while the plans for the Etihad Campus around Manchester City FC’s football ground continue to develop.

We often work with partners like Marketing Manchester and Manchester City Council in using MIPIM as a launch pad for new developments and attracting global interest in the city of Manchester. We value the event so much that last year we put on a dedicated aircraft for Manchester to take the property sector from the North West to the South of France and we’ll be repeating that service again this year. 2012 will be a significant year for us as we look to provide further evidence to MIPIM’s guests of our Airport City proposal. 

In March 2011, Airport City was designated as the focal point of one of the UK Government’s new Enterprise Zones. Over the course of the last year we’ve been working on a detailed masterplan, which sets out the vision to transform Manchester Airport from a transport hub into an international business destination in its own right. Recently the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne unveiled some further detail from the masterplan and we know there will be interest at MIPIM in hearing more about those plans.

We want to build on the global connectivity already offered by the existing airport location and try to emulate some of the other Airport City concepts that exist in places like Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Barcelona.  Overall there will be nearly five million square feet of new high-quality business premises, with the aim of attracting international companies that would not previously have located in the region, or even the UK. Etihad Airways were the first international company to announce they would bring an operation here and their new Contact Centre will open next month.

As part of the wider 116-hectare Manchester Enterprise Zone, we aim to play our part in creating up to 20,000 new jobs over the next 15 years, making the Airport City project a focal point of the wider proposition.

Since the enterprise zone designation last year, there has been a huge amount of interest in this project and we are in discussion with several more businesses about locating at Airport City. MIPIM provides the perfect setting to attract even more global partners to Manchester and to Airport City.

A few seats still remain on the Manchester MIPIM flight – to book your place, go to: www.mipimflight.co.uk

For more information on Airport City see: www.airportcity.co.uk

Stephanie Mullenger, Business Development Director at MAG Developments

Guest blog: Mike Emmerich, New Economy

One of the highlights at this year’s MIPIM will undoubtedly be the ‘Five Cities’ event, which aims to address how European Cities such as Manchester, ensure a robust economic policy to stimulate growth and development.  

New Economy, the agency charged with creating growth and prosperity for the people of Greater Manchester, has undertaken a special piece of research to tie in with this debate, looking at the key policies and operational elements that are currently proving successful in encouraging investment in European cities.

The findings of the research will be released at MIPIM 2012.  By surveying investment professionals and local government organisations from the five cities involved (Amsterdam, Barcelona, Hamburg, Lyon and Manchester), this research will aim to highlight the key factors that influence those important investment decisions.

The Five Cities debate takes place on Tuesday 6 March and is led by key note speaker Jim O’ Neill, chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management.  Jim is a prominent UK economist, hailing from Manchester and responsible for coining the phrase ‘BRICs’ which has become commonplace in representing the economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China. 

With New Economy’s research providing the latest analysis of European cities’ contribution to the world economy, O ‘Neill, along with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) director Greg Clark, and key representatives from each of the participating cities (including Sir Howard Bernstein on behalf of Manchester) will be addressing the issues that will be crucial to the success of these conurbations over the coming decade. 

This is one not to be missed and New Economy is looking forward to an engaging debate that will continue to stoke the fires long after the last of MIPIM’s delegates have departed from Cannes.     

The Five Cities event takes place at MIPIM on Tuesday, 6 March (invite only).

Follow New Economy on Twitter: @neweconomymcr 
New Economy’s website: www.neweconomymanchester.com    

Mike Emmerich, chief executive of New Economy

Guest blog: Mark Rawstron, GVA Manchester

GVA is delighted to be partnering Manchester at the MIPIM event.  This is a departure for GVA as normally we have a major corporate and international stand but this year we have taken the conscious decision to support our main regional cities in their specific MIPIM events. 

Why have we done this? Well, in any economic downturn there is an inevitable retrenchment of property interests and money back to London and the South East and we see one of the challenges is to ensure that the regions have a strong voice.  As one of, if not the, largest firms in the city, we are passionate about Manchester and the North West region and we want to help fly that flag internationally at MIPIM.
 
We are also coming to MIPIM to fly the flag for 1 St Peter’s Square which is the only prime office scheme coming out of the ground this year in central Manchester.  Following on from the successful part pre-letting to KPMG we will be actively promoting this scheme to other users. 

The scheme, a joint venture between Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund and Argent will provide the only new supply so is a special scheme.  We will also be promoting our retained client the Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund (GMPVF) who has a war chest of £300m in cash and is actively seeking investment and development opportunities. 

I am happy to meet up with anyone at MIPIM to explain more about GVA but take a look at our website as a starting point www.gva.co.uk

For us though MIPIM is really all about helping to support Manchester and the North West region.

Mark Rawstron, Regional Senior Director, GVA Manchester

Partnership meeting – 12 December 2011

It was great to see so many of you this morning at the partnership briefing. For those of you that were unable to attend, we thought we would give you a quick run down on what was discussed.

Elizabeth gave an outline of the role of the Manchester Stand and the impact it aims to achieve. For those of you that have been to MIPIM in previous years you’ll know that the theme / look of the stand changes each day. Last year saw us celebrate the work of Nobel and Man Booker prize winners from the city. Designs for 2012 are still under wraps at the moment – but we’re confident you’ll be suitably impressed.

Elizabeth and Clair also went through the planned activity for the week. Here’s the basic outline of activity: 

• Monday – Welcome Drinks Reception (ManchesterApartment, 7-9pm)
• Tuesday -  ‘Five Cities’ withAmsterdam,Barcelona,Hamburg, Lyon andManchester. Chaired by Greg Clark from the OECD (The Majestic Hotel, 12-2pm)
• Wednesday -ManchesterWhat If? The partners chance to discuss a new and imaginative idea forManchester. (Café Mocca, 22:30-23:30) 
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – Stand Events – presentations from members of the partnership (Manchester Stand, 10:45 & 15:45)
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday –Manchester Dinners (ManchesterApartment, 7:30-10pm)

Don’t forget that ManchesterAirportis hosting a chartered Manchester Flight for all Manchesterdelegates, departing Monday, 5 March and returning Friday, 9 March. The return journey at £400 (or one-way at £225) includes luxury transfers, entry to the VIP lounge, baggage and an onboard meal. For more information visit www.mipimflight.co.uk

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter: @mcrMIPIM

Please also remember to use the hashtag #mcrMIPIM in any of your own Tweets about the event.

The Manchester at MIPIM blog is back…

 This is where the Manchester Partnership will announce all news and activity regarding MIPIM 2012. Within this blog we will be providing our partners with an opportunity to share their views ahead of the world’s leading real estate exhibition and conference, which takes place inCannes from 6-9 March.

So far over 30 partners have confirmed their attendance with us at next year’s convention. We welcome back companies such as AECOM, The Co-operative Group, Harvest Housing Group and Savills, as well as new partners including GVA, Overbury PLC, Indigo Planning, Himor Group Ltd and Stride Treglown.

If you haven’t already booked, you still have time to join us. To be a part of the Manchester Partnership and showcase your business to the world’s biggest property market, please contact Clair Hewitson: Clair.Hewitson@marketingmanchester.com / 07739 955609.

Those who have been to MIPIM with us before, will be familiar with the Manchester Stand, the Manchester Bar and Manchester Apartment.  These will all return in 2012 to host numerous events over the four days in Cannes.  Click here for more information (http://www.manchesteratmipim.com/activity.aspx) 

New activity planned for 2012 will include ‘Five Cities’ – a lively debate looking at the economic challenges and opportunities faced by Amsterdam, Barcelona, Hamburg, Lyon, and Manchester of course. We’ve also confirmed one of our evening events – ‘Manchester What If…’ which will give partners an opportunity to debate the current burning issues facing the city. More information on all of Manchester’s activity will be provided in due course…   

And if you haven’t booked your flights yet, Manchester Airport is hosting a special service for all Manchester delegates, departing Monday 5^th March and returning Friday 9^th March. The return journey at £400 (or one-way at £225) includes luxury transfers, entry to the VIP lounge, baggage and an onboard meal. For more information visit www.mipimflight.co.uk

The partnership briefing takes place on Tuesday 13^th December and we look forward to seeing you there.  In the meantime, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @mcrMIPIM. Be back soon!

Man City unveil plans for Youth Development & Training Facility @ Eastlands

Manchester City Football Club has today begun a public consultation on a proposed world leading Youth Development and Training Facility.

The Club is asking local residents, its fans and other interested parties for their views on plans to develop up to 80 acres of brown field  land diagonally opposite the Etihad Stadium.

The opinions of the residents of East Manchester will help shape the Club’s submission for planning approval at the conclusion of the consultation period in early September.

Planning consent to improve the land in Openshaw West, acquired by the Club over the past two years, was granted in June and remediation work on the site will begin in the coming weeks.

For more information: http://www.manchestercityfootballacademy.co.uk/

Friday morning update

Well, it’s the last day here at MIPIM 2011. The Manchester Stand is still open for business – albeit a little quiet this morning.

Yesterday’s stand events were among the most popular of the week. In the morning, Tom Bloxham MBE took to the stage, not in his Urban Splash hat, but as chairman of Manchester International Festival. He was joined by Alex Poots, the festival director, who gave a round-up of MIF to date and teased the visitors to the stand with a few bits of MIF 11 information.  Alex has got his own press launch to look forward to next week – so keep an eye out on www.mif.co.uk for the full programme line-up.

For the last stand event, Ken Knott from ASK Developments updated us on the First Street project – which he admitted himself he has been talking about at MIPIM for three years now. It’s good news though – funding looks committed and there’s a date in sight now for the first operational buildings in the development.

Sir Howard made the closing remarks of the presentation and the feeling on the stand was positive. We managed to grab Sir Howard for a quick Q&A about how he thought the week had gone – you can see this on our YouTube channel: www.YouTube.com/mcrmipim

It looks set to be a quieter day today, Friday, but we’ll keep you posted on the goings on here on the stand.

 

Pecha Kucha take 2. Wednesday night.

Well, that’s it. Pecha Kucha has come and gone. Tonight was as much a success as last night – albeit without the orange cat suits. 

Another four great presentations from AFL Architects, Shepherd Gilmour, BDP and Fairhursts.

Mike O’Connor from Addleshaw Goddard even made a comeback – to be buzzed off almost immediately by the judges. (All harmless fun, you understand!)

It was clear everyone had a passion for their subject, be it the importance of green parks / public spaces to the pride of a local / small firm taking their work to the international stage.

Nick performed the role of host and didn’t fail to keep proceedings on track and within the rules!

Until they actually took place we weren’t exactly sure how the Partnership would embrace the Pecha Kucha idea.

We don’t think it would be wrong of us, however, to say that they were very well received and we’re sure we’ll be receiving many more applications to take part in 2012. 

And now it’s on to the last full day of the conference – Thursday and our two stand events. They are:

Manchester: Cultural Ambition
First Street: A New Urban Quarter

See you on the stand tomorrow! (well, later on this morning actually!)

Night guys!

British Council for Offices

At their Pecha Kucha presentation last night, 5Plus Architects announced that the British Council for Offices (www.bco.org.uk) is coming to Manchester in 2012 – which is great news for the city.

Their presentation, which focussed on how the city delivers its best when it works in partnership, highlighted the some 30 buildings in development across the city – equating to millions of sq ft of office space.

Some of those showcased included: The Hive, Axis, First Street, City Core and Piccadilly Place.

A video of Wednesday’s Pecha Kucha session will be available soon and this afternoon we’re in the process of filming some vox pops with members of the Partnership and media that attended to get their feedback of the event. Keep an eye on the website: www.manchesteratmipim.com for more information.

Pecha Kucha arrives at MIPIM

Just got back from the first Pecha Kucha session. It was a great success. Very well received by the audience. 

Credit to Planit, Addleshaw Goddard, Stockley and 5Plus Architects for being the brave ones to step up to the challenge.

A nice mix of what Manchester does well, what others are doing that we can learn from and original modern in action.

Our host, Nick Johnson, did a great job of keeping everyone in order. And thanks to our judges for their comments. Only one ‘Simon Cowell’ moment with the buzzer. All very friendly.

We filmed tonight’s event and there will be a video on the YouTube channel (available from www.manchesteratmipim.com) tomorrow afternoon. Pics of the night will also be on Flickr as soon as possible.

Already looking forward to tomorrow night. Another four Manchester partners step up to the Pecha Kucha podium.

See you there!