Leeds is facing a battle to hold onto the UK’s premier real estate event after three other cities were shortlisted to stage the conference.
The UKREiiF (UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum) has been staged in the Yorkshire city since being set up in 2022, bringing millions into the local economy and pushing hotel occupancy rates in the area to 100%.
Next year’s event is predicted to bring 15,000 visitors to Leeds and give the local economy a £20m boost. Attendees comprised government and local authority representatives, investors, developers, occupiers, and the broader built environment industry. But organisers Built Environment Networking are now considering where to hold the subsequent three events, and have shortlisted Leeds alongside Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool.
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Chief Executive Keith Griffiths said: “The rapid growth of UKREiiF has fast-tracked our plans. We’re now exploring options to future-proof the event, prompting our review of the venue and host city.
“While Leeds remains a contender for 2025 and beyond, and the feedback about the city has been stellar, we’ve been equally impressed by other cities we’ve visited. The potential venues and the teams we might collaborate with make the decision challenging.”
UKREiiF brings together investors from the UK and abroad to showcase development and regeneration opportunities around the UK. Speakers at this year’s event included Investment Minister Lord Johnson, South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard, West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin and Koen Lamberts, vice-chancellor at the University of Sheffield. Next year the event will be held at Leeds Dock from May 21-23, but organisers are looking for a venue for 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Operations director Louise Eyre said: “The event’s footprint is set to double for 2024, with 18 additional pavilions and several new buildings and locations incorporated. The demand to participate has been overwhelming. We have ambitious plans to expand our audience and the activities at UKREiiF. Hence, we’re aiming to future-proof the event by choosing a venue and city that align with our growth expectations.”
Original artice – https://business-live.co.uk/all-about/yorkshire-humber