Reed Midem's annual Mapic conference in Cannes has become the latest casualty of the global pandemic after organisers announced that the event would become '100% digital'.
Due to take place on 17-19 November, Mapic was to be expanded this year with the addition of a new, leisure-focused event called LeisurUp. Now a combination of sessions for the retail real estate industry will be accessible online for registered participants.
'Mapic Digital will bring the international retail real estate community and leisure specialists together to network, hold virtual business meetings, access online conferences and white papers and discover new city centres, retail and leisure projects,' said Nathalie Depetro, Mapic Director.
'The pandemic has had a massive impact on retailers and consumers’ shopping habits throughout the world. Now, more than ever, the international retail sector needs to come together to discuss today’s challenges and tomorrow’s retail solutions,’ Depetro added.
Retail professionals will be able to follow live events online during the show days, as well as having access to the digital material until the end of the year.
Mapic will now comprise three days of virtual meetings, retail, food and leisure concept pitches, keynote and conference panels, networking events and online meetups with retail and leisure leaders.
'Mapic Digital provides a virtual business experience to keep Mapic international retail and LeisurUp clients connected and informed.
'We want to thank the retail real estate community and the leisure industry specialists for their support. We had hoped to bring everyone together in Cannes this November, but continued international travel restrictions and post-travel quarantine and self-isolation rules, mean this is not possible,’ said Filippo Rean, Director of Reed Midem’s Real Estate Division.
Although the majority of Reed Midem's property events were cancelled this year, including its March appointment in Cannes for Mipim, the events organiser did manage to hold Paris Real Estate Week last month, which gathered delegates for international real estate and proptech talks and networking.
