Push the boat out at MIPIM, says Boyden
Team Nottingham should be allowed to "push the boat out" at this year's MIPIM, according to a city businessman. Alan Boyden, director at BCS Agency, told Insider the Nottingham delegation needs to be "where the fish are feeding" if it is to attract investment into the city.
Boyden has asked that sceptics put aside their preconceptions about the cost of sending a delegation to Cannes this year. He said: "In my opinion it's important for those who operate at the top level of business and society to feel comfortable about their peers and their surroundings, after all people buy from people don't they?
"This is precisely why the Nottingham team should be allowed to push the boat - or yacht - out a little and fish where the fish are feeding.
"I know that this will be an alien concept to the man or woman in the street whose local community centre is sadly under-funded and in a state of disrepair, but it's a financial concept that must be embraced. How else will the aforementioned property developers be encouraged to visit the UK and see the great property development sites that we have available?"
Boyden said he can see how sending a team to MIPIM might seem inequitable. He added: "It might be a seen as a waste of taxpayers' money, but it might also be just what the country and Nottingham needs.
"More wealthy property developers investing in our city equals more jobs, equals more opportunities and equals greater long-term stability through investment in quality real estate. Go on push the boat out I say."
Innes England is one of nine partner organisations from the Nottinghamshire property sector which will be leading Team Nottingham when it showcases the city at MIPIM.
Tim Garratt, a director of Innes England, said: "MIPIM remains the event on the international calendar. It places thousands of decision makers in a very small space for a targeted mass-networking opportunity.
"Chance meetings are frequent. Organised meetings fill your days. Events have become focused and relevant. I expect to touch base with existing clients - and will generally meet about 300 people in the four days."
Garratt said the state of public finance in the UK means that there are few UK provincial places with the glossy stands - but that was rarely the place business was done anyway.
He added: "You are more likely to meet people who do things in the street cafes and at organised events. We spend a lot of time honing our invitation lists - it's not a random process.
"The measure of success is simple - developers and investors putting their cash into Nottingham, ultimately bringing jobs. We are on the look out for the next big employers. We are taking people who tell a great story about the place."
