Member Article

Importance of the retail property industry explored at conference

The impact of the retail property industry will be at the forefront of a conference in Newcadstle in November.

Retail property organisation BCSC (British Council of Shopping Centres) has announced the 2007 Conference & Showcase at The Sage Gateshead from 5-7 November 2007. This year’s main focus will be on the theme of how the retail property industry, including shopping centres, outlet malls, retail parks and managed retail destinations, impacts on people and their lives and the positive impact that the industry can have on communities.

Peter Drummond, Conference Chair for BCSC 2007 and Chief Executive of Building Design Partnership said: “The exciting location of NewcastleGateshead - one of the great shopping and entertainment capitals of Europe - promises to be a fantastic backdrop for our retail property industry Conference & Showcase.”

NewcastleGateshead Initiative Chief Executive Andrew Dixon added: “We are delighted to host the BCSC conference in NewcastleGateshead. The benefits it will bring cannot be underestimated, both in terms of the local economy and in raising the destination’s profile. The conference is also an unrivalled opportunity to introduce NewcastleGateshead as a vibrant and thriving place to live, work and visit to a huge number of influential people”.

A major line-up of speakers will inspire thoughts and feedback, inviting debate as they investigate the impact of the ever-changing retail landscape on the economy, the community and the environment – both in the UK and worldwide. Keynote speakers at the 2007 Conference are due to include: Lord Coe, Sir Bob Geldof and the global explorer Pen Hadow.

Alongside the Conference, BCSC will once again host the popular Showcase exhibition that will take place in a purpose-built environment next to The Sage Gateshead. This year’s Showcase, will feature more than 90 retailers, owners, developers, agents, advisors, consultants and other exhibiting groups. Previous Conferences have been held in Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Belfast.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .