Member Article

Gary Neville to represent Manchester’s property elite at MIPIM 2014

Former Manchester United footballer, Gary Neville, is to deliver a keynote speech on behalf of Greater Manchester’s property professionals at this year’s MIPIM 2014.

His speech will centre on Hotel Football, which is due to open in autumn 2014 opposite Old Trafford, and takes place on the Manchester Stand at MIPIM on Thursday, 13 March 2014. It will be streamed live via www.manchesteratmipim.com.

Hotel Football is the latest venture from Neville’s hospitality company, GG Hospitality, which he set up with former team-mate, Ryan Giggs, and leading hotelier, Stuart Procter. The 139 bedroom hotel, which features a football pitch on the roof, will serve match day fans, as well as families, tourists and business users.

Neville’s presentation will be one of six Manchester stand events taking place at MIPIM this year.

2014 also sees Manchester take part in the fifth European Cities partnership event in which Bruce Katz, vice president of the Brookings Institution will speak of the importance of cooperation between global trading cities.

Entitled ‘The Metropolitan Revolution’ after the bestseller published by Katz in 2013, the event is set to further build on the work of the European Cities partnership which includes Amsterdam, Barcelona and Hamburg, and has been joined by Stockholm for 2014. The event will take place on Tuesday 11 March at 11am in the Croisette Room at the Majestic Hotel.

During three themed days, a ‘wall of influence’ will be on the Manchester stand which will focus on the power of connections and how one initiative or development acts as a catalyst for another, drawing out those that are evolving as well as those recognised locally, nationwide and internationally.

The influence and spirit of collaboration theme will run throughout the Manchester at MIPIM Partnership 2014 and sessions will highlight major developments and projects across the city-region, confirmed sessions include;

Day 1 (11 March): Looking at the importance of cities to the global economy, the frameworks required for innovative investment strategies and the need to build partnerships locally, nationally and internationally.

Day 2 (12 March): Exploring some of the major developments that will impact on the economic growth of both Manchester and the UK, from Airport City to HS2.

Day 3 (13 March): Highlighting the need to consider people when making places that work, whether that’s within smart transport infrastructure, the right residential offering or the visitor attractions that bring cities alive.

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, the agency that leads on the city’s presence at MIPIM, said: “Gary Neville is a fantastic ambassador for Manchester and a welcome addition to the series of Manchester at MIPIM Partnership events.

“Gary’s involvement with our activity this year exemplifies the city’s spirit of collaboration and connectivity. With the support of 59 partners and a lively and engaging week of activity planned, Manchester will once again be a significant focal point for the international property community this March.”

The Manchester stand sessions take place at 10.30 and 15.45 CET (09.30 and 14.45 GMT) each day during MIPIM.

The main sponsors at MIPIM 2014 are: Addleshaw Goddard, ATOS, Airport City Manchester, Manchester City Council, MediaCo, MIDAS, NOMA, RE:SYSTEMS

The full list of partners for Manchester at MIPIM 2014 is: AECOM, Argent Property Development Services LLP, Arup, Beijing Construction Engineering Group, BDP, Bluemantle Ltd, Bruntwood, Ian Simpson Architects, Laing O’Rourke, Nikal Ltd, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Siemens, Zerum

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .