Leeds welcomed thousands of delegates for the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum

Over 4,000 delegates docked at the Royal Armouries in Leeds from the 17th – 19th May for the first ever UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF).

The inaugural event, which has already chosen Leeds as the host city for next years conference, was created by Built Environment Networking after recognising there was a need to connect people, places and businesses to help accelerate the Levelling Up Agenda, the government’s policy that aims to spread opportunity more equally in the United Kingdom. Whilst doing this, the UKREiiF also aims to unlock sustainable, inclusive and transformational investment across the UK. This year’s event discussed a number of key themes, including The UK’s Net Zero Target, Social Value and Inclusive Growth, the Future of Real Estate, Building Better Communities and Inclusive Inward Investment.

The 3-day event brought the public and private sector together and included significant representation from all of the UK’s core cities, with over 300 speakers, including Government Ministers, devolved Mayors, key influencers and policy shapers contributing to the event across 15 stages. Amongst the speakers included Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire; Andy Williams, Vice President (UK Strategy) at AstraZeneca; Peter Freeman, Chair at Homes England; Robin Dobson, Group Property Director at Network Rail, and many more.

UKREiiF’s comprehensive programme, which included 80 exhibitors, 300 speakers and over 50 fringe events, took place at The Royal Armouries and New Dock Hall, utilising all of the venue’s meeting and event space to its full potential. Pavilion Square outside New Dock Hall was also transformed into The Investment Zone where delegates attended various sessions and received industry led expert insight and advice across the Social Value Pavilion, Building Better Communities Pavilion, and more.

The conference was kicked off with a delegate breakfast in the Social Value Pavilion and was followed by a welcome session on the Levelling Up Stage. Other sessions included How to Measure Climate Risk for Real Estate Portfolios in the Investor Centre, and Delivering Next Generation Green Infrastructure: Ideas For Creating Greener Buildings & Places.

The UKREiiF annual event also comprised 50 fringe events where delegates had the opportunity to explore other unique venues across the city, network with other delegates and industry leaders, and broaden their knowledge. Some of the events included: Diversity in Placemaking – Why It Matters and What More We Need To Do by Mott MacDonald with speakers from Leeds2023, Ahead Partnership, IBM and Utterberry; Working on Net Zero at Wellington Place, where a panel discussed the environmental, commercial and social benefits on sustainable developments; a Transport Led Growth Roundtable at Addleshaw Goddard’s Leeds office where a number of experts discussed the key drivers for transport-led growth in the UK; and a Sustainable Hotels Lunch at Addleshaw Goddard’s Leeds Office where a discussion took place on how hotels can reach net zero carbon. Going above and beyond, the fringe events demonstrated that Leeds is a city of collaboration where people and venues can truly deliver an exceptional experience.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council and Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education commented: “I am thrilled that Leeds was chosen to host this year’s UKREiiF and we were delighted to welcome over 4,000 delegates from around the UK to our amazing city.  The atmosphere over the course of the three days of the forum was electric.

“Leeds has transformed over the last  decade and continues to go from strength to strength as a city to invest and do business in.  The overwhelming success of UKREiiF not only demonstrates the city’s capabilities of hosting such a prestigious event but  further confirms Leeds’  reputation as a key driver for economic growth across the whole of Leeds City Region and the North of England. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year for UKREiif 2023 during Leeds 2023, the city’s Year of Culture for an even bigger and better event.”

The UKREiiF will be returning to The Royal Armouries in May 2023, when Leeds will also be celebrating Leeds 2023 – Year of Culture. Tickets for the UKREIIF’s 2023 event are now available to purchase online at https://www.ukreiif.com/event/ukreiif-2023/.

The UKREiiF is just one example of an exceptional conference in Leeds, and with an exciting pipeline of conferences in Leeds for 2022 and beyond, conference organisers are encouraged to explore what Leeds has to offer. Conference Leeds, the conferencing bureau for the city of Leeds, offers a free and impartial service to assist delegates in experiencing the exceptional. To explore your options ahead of your next conference, visit: www.conferenceleeds.co.uk/enquire/

ENDS

For more information about Conference Leeds, please contact Beth or Katie on [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

Conference Leeds is the 5th most popular conferencing destination in the UK, according to the 2019 BMEIS report, contributing £543.3 million to the local economy in 2019, (UKCAMS). The 2019 STEAM survey recorded that Leeds welcomed 30.42 million tourism visits in 2019, a 4.3% increase from 2018.

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