The regional development bodies are back in Mipim desperate to attract the investor millions that will transform their towns and cities

We鈥檝e all geared up for another MIPIM, and the tone is set to be entirely different once again. With the UK as the country of honour, we expect to see confidence levels changed in their nature, marginally higher than in 2010. 鈥淢ixed messages鈥� could or should be the theme, heralding the change from 鈥渇light to safety鈥� of previous years- but we鈥檙e not quite out of the woods yet. I wrote in this blog last year about Boris Johnston鈥檚 prevalence at Mipim, and he gave a keynote address yesterday - everybody who鈥檚 anybody is down here.

Reed Midem reports a 7% increase in delegates - a huge jump by mipim standards, making this Year鈥檚 attendance around 17,000. Still not bad when you compare it to its little retail sister Mapic at 7,000.

MENA emerging markets have changed political complexion, with Algeria still in denial to an uprising. In Egypt, a palpable air of positivity has arisen, although it鈥檚 too early to call the outcome of a new democracy. Investors there remain defiant.

Meanwhile, countries like Sweden, earmarked by JLL鈥檚 Chris Staveley, have set an example to us all as to how to weather the recession and investment pipeline. As we arrived last night the Stockholm stand was buzzing- Scandinavia is a definite one to watch.

Jackie Sadek of RegenerationUK highlights the fact that our home cities have flocked to MIPIM once again, framed as a noble use of funds to promote root and branch investment in their conurbations.

London is of course favourite, and Pipers鈥� London Stand has a phenomenal uptake this year. Recent deals like Westfield鈥檚 disposal of a 50% stake in Stratford City have made investment markets sit up.

Coventry鈥檚 拢50m Barberry Bishop Gate investment from 2010 is testament to the Mipim effect - you just can鈥檛 argue that this isn鈥檛 an effective marketing strategy. I witnessed Leeds鈥� future mapped out on a Mipim yacht in 2005,  with Hammerson and Land Securities chiefs pushing their respective projects - this place is where it all happens.

Edinburgh has its daily whisky tastings, Croydon has its Jones Lang LaSalle drinks, while only Manchester has the swagger to carry off it鈥檚 own flight to Nice, topping the pink Nottingham yacht from 2010!

So, here we are back in Mipim once again. 好色先生TV magazine and all the media is here to document and speculate. I鈥檒l be blogging from the Palais, Croisette and Cafes throughout, as well as Tweeting views, pictures and links - follow us at and #mipim #innesco

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