Coventry and Warwickshire is set to have its largest ever presence at the world’s biggest property development and investment show.
The MIPIM 2015 show is expected to attract more than 25,000 delegates involved in all aspects of property development and investment, and Coventry and Warwickshire will be one of the UK areas represented at the four-day event in March.
Coventry has had a presence at the show for more than 20 years and officially teamed up with Warwickshire for the first time three years ago.
Its presence, which is designed to promote development opportunities in the area, is funded by a partnership of private sector developers and other related businesses and in recent years has been at no cost to the city or county council.
This year the partnership will have a larger stand inside the main exhibition hall and will host several events to attract potential investors and property figures.
Ann Lucas, leader of Coventry City Council, said the increased presence was on the back of Government figures outlining how strongly the area was attracting inward investment.
“The presence at MIPIM is part of the mix of promotional work to push Coventry and Warwickshire as a place to invest,” she said.
“UKTI figures revealed last year that we were the most successful area outside London in attracting inward investment from abroad, based on the size of population, so we have a very strong message to push to an audience that is at the MIPIM show.
“We have a great location, good communications, an expertise in several key sectors such as manufacturing, engineering and digital industries, and that is proving to be a potent mix. It is a message we have to take to a national and international audience, as investment is a very competitive market.
“We have a very strong partnership, and several of the members choose to be connected to Coventry and Warwickshire’s presence at MIPIM because we are recognised for the effective way in which we market the area.
“That partnership itself gives out a strong message about the way the private and public sectors work together.”
The Friargate development, which is now well underway, was first announced at MIPIM while property firm Barberry only invested in the city after meeting representatives at MIPIM and hearing about plans for the city centre.
MIRA, Complex Development Projects, Coventry and Warwickshire Gateway, Friargate, Study Inn, , Jaguar Land Rover and the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) have already signed up to the partnership and more companies are expected to come on board this month.
Les Ratcliffe, head of Community Relations at Jaguar Land Rover, said the company had been at MIPIM for more than a decade.
He said: “We are a significant employer and investor in Coventry and Warwickshire and the wider region and we therefore have a vested interest in its success.
“We want to support the local authorities and other bodies in helping to attract investment and jobs to this area. We have a very positive story to tell, and if that can help others realise the strengths and advantages of Coventry and Warwickshire than that can only be good.
“In recent times our expansion means we are also a major property holder in the region, and MIPIM is the global property and investment show.
“I also chair the Coventry and Warwickshire Place Board which is about selling the attributes of the city and county, which is very much the message at MIPIM.”