This is how organisers of a major property conference in Leeds are making the event inclusive and sustainable

The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) which will welcome over 5,000 delegates, 100 exhibitors, and more than 250 speakers to Leeds, aims to connect people, places and businesses in order to accelerate the Government’s levelling up agenda and unlock investment across the UK.

The conference also aims to provide a platform for underrepresented groups as well as smaller businesses from diverse geographical locations.

UKREiiF is working with skills and diversity initiative Regeneration Brainery to establish a mentoring system to encourage young people to attend the event, as well as with the Royal Planning Town Institute to promote it to students and lecturers. Other partners so far signed up include Freehold LGBT+, which is offering free tours, and Real Estate Women, which is hosting a Zumba class.

The event’s environmental sustainability credentials have also been considered.

UKREiiF is running a campaign to offset the carbon created from travelling to the event and is due to gain its ISO Sustainability Accreditation ahead of the event taking place.

The organisers are also working with sustainable travel partner LNER, to offer discounts to UKREiiF attendees who travel by train.

UKREiiF is using software specialist Loop to measure social value impact across 20 metrics, which includes categories spanning wellbeing, charity, mentoring, training, diversity and sustainability.

The information will play a pivotal role in shaping the event so that improvements and adjustments can be made throughout.

Keith Griffiths, founder of Built Environment Networking, UKREiiF’s organiser, said: “At the heart of the show’s reason for being is improved outcomes for all people. That means promoting social value as well as environmental sustainability in real estate, as well as breaking down barriers and promoting diversity in all its forms in the real estate industry.”