Private sector backing for visit to property showcase MIPIM

Five councils – Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield – are joining forces under a single exhibition stand 'Leeds City Region: Growing and Going Together' in a bid to attract global investors to West Yorkshire.

The MIPIM exhibition, which runs from March 16 to March 19 in Cannes, is the world's biggest event for property investors and developers. In 2009, it attracted more than 17,500 delegates from 80 countries.

A Marketing Leeds spokesman said yesterday: "There are positive indications that we will get contributions from three private sector sponsors to support our presence at MIPIM 2010.

"The five local authorities exhibiting together are sharing and therefore significantly reducing the cost of attendance for each partner."

The spokesman added: "Other UK cities and European competitors will be heavily represented at MIPIM 2010, which is why it is paramount we are present to promote our combined economic strengths and showcase flagship projects driving forward regeneration and development in the Leeds City Region.

"It is vital that the public sector supports the private sector in the current economic climate, and that the city region maintains its profile and presents a united offering as a location for business and investment.

"This collaboration demonstrates a significant step forward in

increasing co-operation within the city region to create a better business environment to attract inward investment."

A spokesman for city development company Creative Sheffield said Sheffield would be taking a "targeted approach" to MIPIM 2010.

The spokesman said: "Sheffield will be hosting a small number of events which will be attended by some key opinion leaders within the property and location field."

MIPIM gives Sheffield the chance to showcase the steps being taken to regenerate the city, the spokesman added.

The spokesman continued: "We have taken a private/public sector consortium approach this year with the cost to Creative Sheffield being 10,000 plus private sponsorship from Bond Bryan and Lane Walker.

"Two directors from Creative Sheffield will be in attendance."

Creative Sheffield is hosting a dinner in MIPIM on March 16 with Sir Bob Kerslake, chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency and former CEO of Sheffield City Council.

Hull Forward's chief executive John Holmes will be representing the

city by himself at this year's event.