Brexit Takes the Spotlight at MIPIM

The Palais des Festivals in Cannes, seen here on day two of MIPIM 2016.

CANNES, FRANCE—The geopolitical environment is a key influencer in commercial real estate, and no more so than this year, as the implications of the surprising UK vote to exit the European Union start to be realized with the triggering of Article 50. With that in mind, this year’s annual MIPIM conference here will focus on how Brexit and changing world politics will affect the industry.

The 2017 edition of MIPIM will mark the first time that the British government has its own pavilion at the four-day confab, running Tuesday through Friday at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. It will be led by the government’s Department of International Trade and will involve senior ministers who will be promoting its “Investment is Great” campaign to major international real estate companies and investors.