Learn more about our appearance at the conference this March
The £2bn+ transformation story taking place in Blackpool is set to be told to over 20,000 investors and developers at MIPIM this March.
Blackpool Council is attending MIPIM as part of the Place North delegation. We’re joining forces with other northern towns and companies to bring the power of the North to Cannes.
Taking place from 9th – 13th March, MIPIM is the world’s leading real estate event and the five-day conference will explore the future of infrastructure development, sustainable investment, and innovative policies.
The Blackpool delegation will be promoting the town, including key developments underway or in the works such as Blackpool Central and our upcoming high-powered data centre, Silicon Sands.
Read on to find out more about where you can find us and all the excitement taking place.
Tuesday 10th March
UK Leaders Summit
Location: North of England Suite, MIPIM, Palais des Festivals
Time: 2:45pm – 3:45pm
A roundtable discussion with an audience featuring the individuals and groups who are shaping the UK agenda and delivering on its regeneration ambitions. Expect a high-level conversation that will delve into the strength of the UK property market, the practicalities behind turning ambitions into reality, and the great potential the country has for investment.
Speakers confirmed include:
- Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council
- Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region
- Pam Smith, Chief Exec of Newcastle City Council
- Paul Dennett, City Mayor of Salford City Council
- Cllr Anne Handley, Leadr of East Riding of Yorkshire Council
- Cllr Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council
- Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council
- Michelle Duggan, Head of Inward Investment at North East Combined Authority
- Tom Stanndard, Chief Exec of Manchester City Council
Wednesday 11th March
Great Minds: How SMEs are transforming the North of England | North of England Suite
Location: North of England Suite, MIPIM, Palais des Festivals
Time: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Regeneration is not just the dominion of global conglomerates. SMEs are at the heart of the UK’s property industry, doing their part to shape the communities they work in. This panel will dig into the great work being done by SMEs with local authorities, how this benefits the region, and why this makes the Northern investment prospect even more tantalising.
Speakers confirmed include:
- Aidan Thatcher, Director of Place at Wigan Council
- Nick Mullins, Co-founder of Axis Real Estate
- Pam Smith, Chief Exec of Newcastle City Council
- Nick Gerrard, Director of Growth and Prosperity at Blackpool Council
Great Minds: Leisure as a regenerator
Location: North of England Suite, MIPIM, Palais des Festivals
Time: 3pm – 4pm
A session discussing how leisure can act as a driver of change and anchor for regeneration. We will explore examples of best practice, analyse how to grab the opportunities and avoid the potential pitfalls of this approach, and shine a light on Blackpool’s plans to transform a chunk of the town centre into a world-leading leisure destination.
Speakers confirmed include:
- Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council
- Cllr Mark Flynn, Leader of Dundee City Council
- Gastón Gaitan, Founder and CEO of theleisureway
- Sarah Ashurst, Head of Partnerships and Investment at Salford City Council
The UK’s Untapped Power Player
Location: UK Stage, MIPIM, Palais des Festivals
Time: 4pm – 4:45pm
The North of England is leading the way when it comes to sustainable infrastructure in the UK, from data centres to renewable energy to district heat networks. Hear about the projects that are due to transform the nation’s economy and why the region is a must for investors looking for the next big thing.
Speakers confirmed include:
- Nick Gerrard, Director of Growth and Prosperity at Blackpool Council
- Cllr Neil Emmott, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council
- Cllr Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire
- Danielle Phillips, Assistant Director of Inward Investment and Business Growth at North East Combined Authority
- Andy Templer, Executive Managing Director of WSP
- Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region
Thursday 12th March
Investible North
Location: UK Stage, MIPIM, Palais des Festivals
Time: 10:15am – 11am
Dragon’s Den meets property in this series of quick, digestible, and impactful presentations spotlighting some of the most ambitious cities and projects in the North of England. This is your chance to secure investment for your projects.
A panel that provides a whistle-stop tour of the North’s investment opportunities in the style of Dragons Den pitches.
Each panellist will get no longer than 5 minutes to outline the investment-ready opportunities in their area in the hopes of securing £500m from a mystery (and, sadly, fictitious) investor.
You only have a limited amount of time so pick wisely and really think about the type of investment that will make the biggest impact in your area.
Discussion points:
Following the pitches we will discuss how the North is going about striking a balance between competing for investment and collaborating with other towns and cities.
How can the North be better at working together and what mechanisms need to be put in place to ensure the North can function efficiently and become better than the sum of its parts?
Speakers confirmed include:
- Paul Dennett, City Mayor of Salford
- Cllr Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council
- Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council
- Nicola Elsworth, Director of Strategic Growth at Tameside Council
- Cllr Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council
We can’t wait to take the story of Blackpool to France this spring!
If you’d like to guarantee getting to learn more about Blackpool from one of the town’s key figures, contact regeneration@blackpool.gov.uk to set up discussions.
