Recovery strategies top agenda at Mipim

If survival strategies were the main focus of Mipim's conference programme in 2009, this year's edition will highlight recovery positions and strategies for getting beyond the crisis. With titles such as 'A year of Reckoning' , 'Riding out of the Storm', 'Face the Present - think long term' , fair organiser Reed Midem is clearly keying into current industry sentiment which is geared towards reviewing tactics and resources for future growth.

A series of panels grouped under the heading 'Recovery positions' will look at investment in distressed debt and equity; how institutional investors are positioning themselves in the current climate; whether listed property companies are at an advantage; and whether the retail sector is the bellwether of recovery.

While the geographical focus will be on the Middle East and North Africa, Asia and the Americas, selected European markets will also come under the spotlight with panel discussions dedicated to France, the UK, Russia and guest of honour Poland. Cities and regions - a traditional Mipim strength - will again feature prominently as a theme with sessions devoted to 'shaping the cities of the future,' 'new cities' in Morocco and Polish cities.

This year's Mayors Thinktank - an invitation-only event held for the second time - will focus on infrastructure as the key to sustainable growth. Sustainability issues will also come under scrutiny in a session entitled 'Sustainability sans frontières' and a green keynote speech by Ralph DiNola, principal of US firm Green Building Services.

MAIN THEMES
Recovery positions/finance
Cities and the built environment
Hotel and tourism
Sustainability
Social housing

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS (EUROPE)
Guest of honour: Poland
France
United Kingdom
South East Europe
Russia
Turkey