Member Article

MIPIM hears Liverpool bang drum for IFB

Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation is backing Liverpool to deliver a world class International Festival for Business (IFB 2014) for the UK, including superb opportunities for property professionals.

Her comments came at a special IFB dinner for more than 100 leading UK and international property personalities at Cannes’ Radisson Blu hotel which featured a keynote speech from Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson OBE inviting them to the city in June and July.

Liz Peace said: “I was approached some time ago about IFB and my first reaction was ‘what on earth is that, do we need another exhibition, another event?’ The more I looked into it I realised it was a fantastic opportunity - not just for Liverpool but for the whole of the UK.

“And the fact that you get the UK to focus on Liverpool as that point for inward investment, business activity and culture I think is absolutely terrific. I see Liverpool IFB as very much the opportunity to stress that the whole of the UK is open for business.”

IFB is a 50-day global showcase for great British industry across multiple sectors, and will champion UK businesses to new markets, new products and new partners.

Comprising more than 200 world-class events and backed by UK government, IFB 2014 will cast a light on the spheres of commercial endeavour that are transforming the new economies and business landscapes of Britain and beyond.

Key themes of the festival include: manufacturing, science & technology; maritime, logistics & energy; knowledge, professional & financial services; higher & further education & research; low carbon & renewables; cities, enterprise & urban business; knowledge, creative & digital.

IFB is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, from SMEs, corporates and entrepreneurs, to business delegations from across the world.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson told delegates: “IFB is an opportunity to show off the depth of business excellence that exists in Liverpool, the city region and the North West as well as the UK.

“If you are not yet considering IFB, then I ask you to do so, because like MIPIM in March it will be the place internationally to do business in June and July and is for anyone who wants to take their business large or small, to the next level and every sector is covered including property.”

Max Steinberg CBE, chair of IFB 2014, outlined the key property offer at IFB, including PlaceEXPO in Liverpool’s commercial district which is a dedicated property campus for the duration of the festival and the UK Property Forum, a national and international platform for property developers, investors, agents and architects, taking place July 1-2.

Liverpool has returned to MIPIM for the first time since 2011 to promote IFB 2014, SUPERPORT, £11bn of development projects, as well as the city’s commerce, creativity and connections.

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