MIPIM - Everything you need to know

If you work anywhere near real estate, urban development or investment, you've probably heard MIPIM spoken about in slightly reverent tones. It's described as intense, glamorous, exhausting, and career-defining, sometimes all in the same sentence. MIPIM isn't just a conference; it's a temporary city built around global property power, and understanding how it works can make the difference between feeling overwhelmed and getting value out of it.

MIPIM stands for Le Marché International des Professionnels de l'Immobilier, which loosely translates to the international market for real estate professionals. It takes place every March in Cannes, France, and draws tens of thousands of attendees from across the world. Think developers, investors, architects, city leaders, brokers, consultants, hotel brands, infrastructure firms, and increasingly people from tech, sustainability, and policy. If real estate decisions move capital, shape cities, or influence how people live and work, the people behind those decisions are probably at MIPIM.

At its core, MIPIM is about deals and relationships. Some transactions are negotiated and even signed during the week, but more often the real value lies in starting conversations, strengthening existing partnerships, and putting faces to names. It's where cities pitch themselves to global capital, where developers showcase future projects, and where investors quietly assess where the next cycle might take them. The atmosphere is business-focused, but the setting makes everything feel heightened. Cannes in March is all sunshine, yachts, terraces, and espresso-fueled meetings that blur into late dinners.

The physical layout of MIPIM matters more than people expect. The main exhibition takes place in the Palais des Festivals, but the event spills far beyond it. Country pavilions and city stands inside the Palais act like embassies, each one telling a story about opportunity, growth, and vision. Outside, along La Croisette, hotels, beach clubs, and pop-up venues become unofficial meeting hubs. Some of the most important conversations happen over coffee on a terrace or during a walk between venues, not on the official conference stages.

Speaking of stages, MIPIM's conference programme runs continuously throughout the week and covers everything from global capital flows and housing crises to ESG, proptech, AI, and the future of work. While the speakers are often senior and influential, the real purpose of the talks is less about learning something radically new and more about understanding where consensus is forming. If multiple panels start using the same language about sustainability, density, or alternative asset classes, that's a signal worth paying attention to.

Preparation is where most first-time attendees either win or lose. MIPIM rewards planning. Meetings are booked weeks in advance, diaries fill up quickly, and turning up without a clear sense of who you want to meet can leave you wandering the Palais wondering what you're supposed to be doing. Veterans tend to arrive with tightly packed schedules, clear objectives, and a short list of must-see contacts, while leaving space for chance encounters that often turn out to be the most valuable.

There's also a strong social side to MIPIM, and it's not just about partying, although there is plenty of that. Dinners, receptions, yacht events, and private gatherings are where trust gets built. Deals don't usually close at midnight on a boat, but relationships absolutely do. Knowing when to say yes, when to leave early, and when to protect your energy is an underrated skill. MIPIM is a marathon disguised as a glamorous sprint.

In recent years, the tone of MIPIM has shifted. Sustainability, climate resilience, and social value are no longer side topics; they're central to how projects are pitched and evaluated. Cities talk less about scale for its own sake and more about livability, affordability, and long-term resilience. Investors ask harder questions about risk, regulation, and reputation. Even if some of the language can feel buzzword-heavy, the direction of travel is real, and MIPIM is one of the places where that collective shift becomes visible.

Who benefits most from MIPIM depends on how you show up. For large developers and institutional investors, it's a chance to maintain global visibility and influence. For cities and regions, it's a rare opportunity to compete for attention on a truly international stage. For smaller firms, consultants, or first-timers, it can be overwhelming but also transformative if approached strategically. One strong introduction can lead to years of work, and one well-timed conversation can change how people see your business.

Ultimately, MIPIM is less about the buildings on display and more about the people behind them. It's a place where ambition, capital, politics, and urban futures collide in a very concentrated form. If you go expecting clear answers, you may be disappointed. If you go ready to listen, observe, and connect, you'll leave with a sharper sense of where the industry is heading and where you might fit within it.

By the time the week ends, everyone is tired, slightly hoarse, and already talking about next year. That, more than anything, is probably the clearest sign of MIPIM's influence.

Tips for attending MIPIM
Ok, so we've established there's A LOT going on at MIPIM. Even if you've been attending for years, it can still be overwhelming at times.
So, I put together some of my tips to help you get the most from the event.

1) Make a plan before you go (but not too much of a plan)
You'll need a plan before you arrive at MIPIM – which talks you'll go to, which events you'll attend etc. Research early, and pre-book where you can.
But, that said, make sure you leave some flexibility. Booking up every minute of your time might feel like you're making the most of it, but in reality, some of the best meetings you'll have will come chatting to someone you just met and them saying "I'm just heading to a drinks thing, want to come along?"
Plus MIPIM is the perfect place to ‘accidentally' bump into people you've been wanting to talk to for ages...

2) Cut costs on travel and accommodation
You'll obviously save money by booking flights early, but if you need a last-minute ticket, my tip is to look into flying to Marseille and get the train to Cannes from there. Because there's less of a surge of people, it tends to be cheaper, plus it's a really simple (and enjoyable) journey.
For accommodation, look into staying in Antibes. It's just a little further up the coast, but it can be a lot cheaper. There are great rail connections, but even if you miss the last train an Uber will only cost you around €20-30 – which is probably much less than you'll be saving on the room.

3) Don't be afraid to leave events
If you're at an event and it's not quite right for you – the talk isn't what you expected, the attendees are mostly people that aren't relevant to your business – you can simply leave.
Your time at MIPIM is precious. Make the most of every minute.

4) Check out the social networking too
MIPIM tends to have a fairly active social media presence. Check out the #MIPIM on socials (LinkedIn and Twitter tend to be the main ones) and you can find out about events, see who else is going and plan out who to meet up with.
And don't forget to post yourself and let people know you're going. After all, you never know who might want to book a meeting with you.

5) Know your way around
Cannes is pretty easy to navigate. In fact, pretty much everything you'll have to find will be at the main venue, or on the main coastal road.
But if you want the really important spots – like the best place for a Guinness, and the location of the McDonald's which you promise yourself you won't go to but definitely will be grateful for the morning after the night before – download our handy guide.

6) Cannes can be expensive. But it pays to shop around...
OK, yes, MIPIM (and Cannes generally) is expensive. But you can save some money by shopping smart.
An espresso in a central café may be €12, but you can get much better deals if you go a bit further out.
So go slightly off the beaten track and you can save a small fortune.
Most people tend to head east to the main coastal path, so you can beat the crowds by heading west of the marina. The shops and cafes tend to be less busy, often cheaper, and best of all they get the sun all morning – perfect to start your day off right.

7) Don't book morning meetings
You've got a perfect breakfast spot, but you should probably avoid booking any morning meetings.
You'll have the best of intentions. You'll want to make the most of your time in MIPIM. But early morning meetings will almost definitely get cancelled.
10 o'clock is the absolute earliest you should suggest (unless it's a properly organised breakfast).

So, coming to MIPIM?
If you are coming along to MIPIM, make sure you've got a good lay of the land by downloading our handy map and guide. It'll give you the real insights you need.

Not going to MIPIM this year?
Not going to MIPIM doesn't have to mean missing out. In fact, you've got an extra week in the office to steal a march on the competition.
Find out which of your contacts aren't going and make a point of meeting up with them. And if you're after an event to go to, there are a lot much closer to home (we made a list of some of our favourite property events here).
Plan your week, and you might find your business (and wallet) are well ahead of the competition when they get back.