The advent of real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the UK and similar legislation in Germany and Italy has ensured that REITS continues to be a hot topic among real estate professionals in Europe. A new index for UK REITS was launched on Thursday, while a recent proposal for separate listings for REITs on the German stock exchange have provoked concern there.

The advent of real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the UK and similar legislation in Germany and Italy has ensured that REITS continues to be a hot topic among real estate professionals in Europe. A new index for UK REITS was launched on Thursday, while a recent proposal for separate listings for REITs on the German stock exchange have provoked concern there.

REITS were already the major talking point of Expo Real commercial property trade fair in Munich last October and at Barcelona Meeting Point a month later. The prognosis for real estate seminars and trade shows around Europe this year isn't any different.

Terrapinn, a Sydney-based business media and trade exhibition company, is hosting its 4th annual REIT World UK conference in London in November. Unlike previous years, the delegates will have eleven months of practical experience with the UK REIT to digest and discuss.

The event is being marketed as a 'guaranteed source of accurate information and the perfect chance to meet new clients' rather than a an exhibition or a generic conference. Attendees, the organisers say, are guaranteed world class speakers and debate about the growth of the UK REIT and the growing REIT market in Europe. 'You'll have the chance to ask questions and meet speakers and other delegates in our unique networking sessions.'

REIT World UK 2007 takes place at the Royal Garden Hotel in London from 20 to 22 November 2007. More information can be obtained at http://www.terrapinn.com/2007/reituk/index.stm.

Meanwhile, FTSE Group, the global index provider, is hosting a seminar on January 23 to place UK real estate investment trusts (REITs) in a global context and to introduce its new 'definite benchmark for UK REITs'.

The FTSE EPRA/NAREIT UK REITs index was launched on Thursday on the third day of trading since UK REITs were introduced on January 1. FTSE said the new index will sit within the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global REITS and non-REITs index series which 'enables investors to differentiate REIT and non-REIT constituents within the EPRA/NAREIT universe according to country-specific REIT legislation'.

The morning seminar at Clifford Chance Building, 10 Upper Bank Street in London's Canary Wharf will feature Gareth Parker, head of alternative investments at the FTSE Group; Nick van Ommen, ceo of EPRA; and Steve Wechler, president and ceo of NAREIT. Patrick Sumner, head of property equities at Henderson Global Investors will also give a short address on 'UK REITs: looking forward in a global context'. There is no charge for attendance.

Click on the link to read our story about the launch of the UK REITs index.