Over 200 retailers and developers from across Europe and the United States got down to business yesterday in London at the first leasing event of its kind to take place in Europe. Organized by The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), retailers were able to meet and do business directly with the leasing teams within developers who are responsible for hundreds of shopping centers across Europe.
Ermine Amies, Managing Director for ICSC in Europe, said: "Retailers want to widen their market, but it is time-consuming, expensive and unsustainable to travel across Europe for one meeting with one developer. This event gave retailers the chance to meet with developers from countries across Europe in just one day."
Developers were quick to praise the event, with David Smith at UK-based Land Securities saying: "If you are a serious developer you have to be here."
Many of the attending developers and retailers had prepared in advance, prearranging meetings throughout the day so that no time was wasted and the many private booths provided by ICSC were filled to capacity with retailers and developers discussing new opportunities and wider markets.
Developers commented that the unexpectly high attendance at this first event confirmed their view that the event should become a regular fixture on the European retail real estate calendar of events.
The event was led by the ICSC Leasing Group, chaired by Neil Mitchenall of UK-based retail and leisure specialists Lunson Mitchenall. He said: "I was very pleased with the response we had from retailers and developers at this event, which I consider the best opportunity currently available in Europe for retailers and leasing teams to meet and do business. Personally I made a number of new contacts which more than justified my attendance at the event. I am already looking forward to next year."
All day catering, a networking cocktail party and exclusive celebration dinner at the historic and architecturally stunning Merchant Taylors' Hall in the City of London were included in the event.
Source: Nicky Godding Communications
