UKREIIF 2024 – Tom’s Ten Top Tips

I am really looking forward to next week and seeing over 12,000 industry colleagues in the fabulous city of Leeds next week. It is a fantastic event which last year, based on the Arup research I led, generated a ￡12m boost to the Leeds economy (this year it could be ￡20m). Huge credit is due to the UKREIIF team led by Keith Griffiths Nathan Spencer and Matt Christie , and to the Leeds City Council team led by Tom Riordan CBE Eve Roodhouse Angela Barnicle Belinda Eldridge and Hilary Farmery for making the event such a success.

Based on the experience of previous years, and a bit of local knowledge, here are some tips on how to get the most out of the week.

1. Wear comfortable shoes. I can't emphasise this strongly enough. You are on your feet all day and end up walking miles. It is a good mile from Leeds City Centre to the venue (the walk along the River Aire is always good for bumping into people!). This is not the week to break-in a new pair of shoes.
2. Be prepared for all types of?weather. You will be outside (or in unheated marquees) a lot. The last two years have been warm and sunny. But this is Yorkshire, and while the event compares well to MIPIM the River Aire is not quite the same as the Riviera and it could be cold and wet! The forecast next week looks a bit unsettled. You may need sun glasses and sun cream, and you may need a warm coat and / or a waterproof / umbrella.
3. Make time for serendipity. Don't pack your schedule. One of the pleasures of UKREIIF is bumping into people and the informal conversations. Hanging around Armouries Square or strolling along the river is a good way to bump into people. Impromptu meetings are great.
4. Embrace the fringe events. UKREIIF is a bit like the Edinburgh Festival in that some interesting activity takes place on the fringe. The fringe events are enjoyable and great for connecting with people.
5. Promote diversity. UKREIIF has made huge steps to promote diversity and inclusion, and champion young talent in our sector. This year at Arup we are supporting Regeneration Brainery at UKREIIF, a great charity that is inspiring young people from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in property and regeneration. Check out our interactive event: Calling all Voices on how we can create more equitable places that work for diverse communities? on Wednesday, May 22nd at 3:30 PM in the Regeneration Brainery studio..
6. Promote in advance. Follow-up afterwards!?Don't forget business cards, or at least have a good electronic alternative (i.e. connect on LinkedIn). Take a small notebook and write a quick note of conversations, and follow-up when back at base. Sounds obvious, but easy to overlook once back facing a to-do list that has grown while you have been away. Schedule time now to do the follow-up. While I have done deals / won work from conversations at UKREIIF, it is also about building relationships and influencing the industry agenda. Avoid a hard-sell.
7. Change it up and enjoy Leeds. Take a break from the bustle of The Armouries and Leeds Dock. A talk and walk while strolling along the River Aire is always enjoyable (you could point out the innovative moveable weirs of the Arup designed Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme!). Meeting people in Leeds City Centre in the morning or late afternoon is enjoyable. Take time to see a bit of Leeds. The fabulous historic Kirkgate area and Grade 1 listed Kirkgate market, the beautiful Corn Exchange, the new public realm and the Hibiscus Rising sculpture, and the fabulous shopping arcades of the Victoria Quarter are all within 15 mins of the UKREIIF venue. See the excellent Visit Leeds website for more info.
8. Pace yourself. It is a whirlwind week of breakfasts, lunches, drinks receptions, and dinners, and the booze does flow freely. Do not go too big on the Monday night! By all means enjoy a glass or two of wine or pint(s) of Yorkshire beer, drink sensibly and be inclusive; not everyone wants to drink alcohol, and it is perfectly possible to enjoy the event without booze.
9. Pop in and see us at Arup. While our new Leeds Office is not as close to the UKREIIF venue as the old one, it is an exemplar in terms of a vision for a post pandemic office, in terms of inclusive design, and sustainability. It is an all-electric, operationally net-zero carbon, EPC A, BREAAM Outstanding, NABERS design-reviewed 5 star building, with an embodied carbon footprint for the fitout way below industry benchmarks. If you want to pop in on the Monday afternoon let me know. Alternatively sign up for one of our events we are hosting in the office. On the Wednesday are hosting a great Sheffield Property Association breakfast event on the economic impact of post covid working practices on our core cities (sign up here). On the Thursday we are co-hosting with Munroe K a really interesting discussion on how data and AI can make our cities better - sign up here.
10. Finally, enjoy it! Yes it is work and is?tiring etc, but it is such a privilege to spend a week talking about cities / regeneration / property / infrastructure, meeting great people in a great city. And the social side is all part of it.

Have a great week!