UKREiiF: Team behind major Leeds conference announces plan for event in Australia
The company behind the major Leeds-based conference UKREiiF has announced its first overseas event, set to be held in Australia.
The event is set to replicate the UKREiiF model for the Australian market, bringing together a string of international and domestic investors, developers, occupiers and stakeholders from the wider built environment.
It will aim to connect attendees with opportunities across Australia, in a bid to “drive forward regeneration and economic growth”.
Nathan Spencer, founding director and managing director of UKREiiF, said: "Australia is entering an extraordinary period of growth, and the global players within our industry are frequently discussing the opportunities coming forward in the country.
“Our ambition is to create something genuinely different for the Australian market – a major international festival that tells the stories of each state, city and town across Australia, and one that builds the relationships that see global capital deployed and projects moved forward.
“Since launching UKREiiF in 2022 we're aware of over £4bn of investment and development activity either at planning or spades in the ground stage all as a direct result of introductions and discussions held at UKREiiF, and we're excited to bring this model and event to Australia to have a similar impact."
The event will focus on facilitating conversations around policy as well as connecting global capital to unlock “ambitious investment visions” across Australia.
The conference will cover all sectors of the built environment including traditional industries such as commercial, residential, transport, infrastructure and retail, as well as more emerging sectors such as renewable energy, digital infrastructure and defence.
The team behind UKREiiF said the launch represents a “significant” milestone for the company.
It comes after the 2026 iteration of the UKREiiF conference, held earlier this year at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, brought together more than 17,000 delegates.
The three-day event generates over £20m for the local economy of Leeds and West Yorkshire annually, according to the team behind it, and has created over £7m in social value.
Matt Christie, founding director and director of external affairs at UKREiiF, added: "The event will build on the principles that have driven UKREiiF's growth, including its festival-style, strong public and private sector participation and focus on connecting places and projects with investors."
Recruitment is currently being finalised for the new event, with an announcement on the date and venue planned for the next few months.