MIPIM – A review

24th October 2014   |   Jamie Barrett   |   Reading Time: 2 minutes

Here we are, already a week on from the inaugural MIPIM UK event, which was also Evolution5’s first time as an exhibitor.

Since getting back to the office it’s been a whirlwind of activity reviewing what we did, who we met and what’s next.

First up, if you’re reading this having met us last week, thank you for visiting us. It was great to meet new people and catch up with those we’ve known a while.

Having spent the week updating our records and reviewing who we met and what we learnt, the follow up work is now planned and well underway. At the same time, we’re considering whether to exhibit again next year.. So far, votes are in favour!

The event was incredibly well organised with a fabulous mix of exhibitors and visitors. One thing that stood out to us was that, unlike other trade shows where people desperately try to avoid eye contact with exhibitors in case someone tries to sell them something, MIPIM visitors were keen to meet other people and talk about mutual interests. And that was what we did. Of course everyone was there with a common aim to identify and pursue business opportunities, but there was no hard sell from anyone. A breathe of fresh air!

Over the first two days (Friday was very quiet) the team were constantly busy. Jamie, Chris and Frank were constantly occupied talking to people wanting to understand more about what we do, why we do it, how it works and how it might fit with their business. Meanwhile other members of the team took advantage of the opportunity to attend some of the seminars and visit the exhibition.

The seminars were varied and led to some interesting debate on the issues under discussion which is always fun. Listening to differing, sometimes conflicting, views and understanding industry drivers from the perspective of others offers brilliant opportunity to learn. And if there’s one thing the team are passionate about, it’s taking every available opportunity to learn, grow and develop – as individuals and as a company.

And if the days were all about working hard, the evenings were immense fun in the Evolution5 way, with an exhausted team heading home on the Friday afternoon!