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ICSC brings US-style deal-making to Europe
Lodestar client the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the largest retail real estate organisation in the world, is to stage its first ever pan-European dealing-making retailer/developer forum at ExCel in London, UK on 29 January 2008.
Ermine Amies, Managing Director for ICSC in Europe, said: “This type of event is more common in the USA where serious deal-making has long been the name of the game. Here, our culture and approach to doing business has been more reticent, perhaps Europeans haven’t liked to demonstrate that their desire to do business is every bit as strong as their counterparts across the Atlantic.
Retail Connections isn’t a conference, an exhibition or a seminar but a meeting space facilitated by ICSC and dedicated to retailers and tenants wishing to meet and do business directly with the leasing teams within developers.
Amies added: “As new markets open up and geographical borders blur, we have had an increasing number of calls from our members to set up similar events in Europe. When they take time out for business travel within Europe they want to make every minute count. This event is aimed specifically at them.
“We have three priorities for the retailers attending: to facilitate deal-making, to help them meet key developers and to learn about new markets in Europe, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. This event brings the proven concept of ICSC retail property deal making to Europe.”
Led by the ICSC Leasing Group, chaired by Neil Mitchenall of Lunson Mitchenall, major developers will come together to create one single and efficient day for tenants to do business with over 40 developers.
Neil Mitchenall said: “Retail Connections is the best opportunity in Europe for retailers and leasing teams within developers to meet and do business. This critical mass of business makers is key: With no distractions and plenty of office space for meetings, tenants will also be coming in from the US to find out about new markets, learn about the European industry in more depth and for deal making in markets they are already committed to.”
All day catering, a networking cocktail party and exclusive closing celebration dinner at the historic and architecturally stunning Merchant Taylors’ Hall in the City of London are all included.
For more information on how to get involved with Retail Connections contact Jennifer Aungst on +44 20 7344 1895 or email jennifera@lodestaruk.com to apply for a stand. Space is limited to 44 stands with carpeted business suites.
For further information and a programme of events visit the ICSC website.
