Steve Simmonds’ Post

Tomorrow marks the opening of #MIPIM, the premier real estate expo in the world, in Cannes. Meet us at: 📍Palais des Festivals, Cannes     Greek Pavilion - Riviera Hall R7.A1-B3-B13 📅 12-15 March 2024 Connect with #MIBSGroup experts, discuss future collaborations and deep dive into market trends and the advantages of investing in Greek real estate. #mibsgroup #mipim #mipim2024 #Cannes #propertydevelopment #investingreece #realestate #realestatedevelopment #athensproperties #athensrealestate #investmentopportunities #propertiesinAthens #homes #propertyinvestors #Athens #Greece #propertiesingreece #greekproperties #realestateinvestment

Move over wine and baguettes - the world’s biggest tourist destination has a new game plan to attract tourists - a much cheaper, and more profitable Olympic Games. The Olympic games, much like many other international sporting spectacles, is a well-renowned way for a boost to the economy. The most recent event of this scale, the FIFA 2022 Qatar World Cup, increased the GDP of the country by 1% just in the span of a month - a seemingly small yet massively productive number. With the Paris Olympics less than a 100 days away, and an expected 500,000 spectators per day at the games, the city is planning to use majorly its existing infrastructure to its fullest capacity to cater to this audience, and have begun operations on cost-effective solutions to improve the city’s commuting and health facilities. No big investments in stadiums/arenas, or in the improvement of ready facilities. The French Government has high hopes from the Paris Olympics. And with LVMH leading the sponsorships, the private sector too is backing the Olympics to add some vitality to a relatively stagnant economy. But the biggest boost Macron and his government is expecting, will come from MSMEs and start-ups. Over 1,200 contracts have been given to MSMEs through public tenders so far, enabling contributions and growth for a frequently overlooked segment in the French economy. Emilie Gazeau, CEO of Alltheway.io, a start-up that organises airport luggage pick-up and drop-off facilities for users in Paris says “It’s an image catalyst - if you can handle the traffic during the Olympics, you can handle anything.” Offering tenders to MSME’s is both cost-effective and future-oriented. The French Government seems to have created the perfect game-plan on paper, but the beauty will always remain in the execution. By not spending on infrastructure for millions of tourists, and relying heavily on new, unproven startups, the French Government seems to be taking a gamble. Do you think this high-risk, high-reward strategy is smart for an event that has over 3 billion people watching, or is this a public humiliation waiting to happen? #QubitCapital #Olympics #ParisOlympics #FrenchGovernment #MSME #EmilieGazeau #Alltheway

// #MIPIM : Choose France Conference // Join us ! Cracking the code of France's Attractiveness for Global Investors with Pascal Cagni, France’s Ambassador for International Investments, chairman of the Board of Business France, and former head of EMEIA at Apple 📅 Thursday, 14 March ⏰ 11:00 - 12:30 followed by a cocktail 📍 Geo Focus Stage (Palais 3) France stands at the forefront of decarbonizing the property sector, offering diverse opportunities across commercial, retail, industrial, logistics, and innovation asset classes. Stable regulations enhance the market's appeal, with increasing opportunities driven by projected workforce growth. For the third time, 5 major metropolitan areas in France have become epicentres for some of the most ambitious projects and FDIs, turning heads in the global economic arena. Choose Paris Region, Agence d'attractivité Hello Lille, ONLYLYON, FONDATION SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, Provence Promotion - the invest in Provence agency 🔎 Find out more : https://lnkd.in/eX3ufPbP 🤝 Networking opportunity: cocktail to connect with key players in the industry. CELIA AUGE Symphony Alexandre Miniere EP Group Lars Hallier H4 Hotel Wyndham, Paris Pleyel Resort Aidan S. Charles River Laboratories Nicolas Douaud KSB France Arnaud Malbos Ivanhoé Cambridge #ChooseFranceConference #RealEstateInvestment #FDI #BusinessOpportunities #NetworkingEvent #FranceAttractiveness

Il📊 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 🌟 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐱 𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝟏: an impressive €90M* in economic benefits for #Monaco, driving tourism and local business growth. 🎬 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 brings in €200M* to #Cannes, with visitors and events boosting hotel rates and local commerce. Amazing to see the significant economic impact figures of major events, highlighted by a digital media platform focused on investment. However, while the industry includes some publicly listed companies, official numbers are rarely recognized of the overall events industry. Stakeholders continuously try to emphasize and recognize the sector's importance. 🏢 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐠'𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: In our city, a clear vision has paid off. Investing €200M in the Palais des Congrès & Parc des Expositions Strasbourg Events which hosts 250 events annually, has not only boosted the economy but also enhanced our city's attractiveness. The impact of these events is estimated at over €130M per year, while also supporting hundreds of jobs and enriching #Strasbourg's intellectual capital. 🌍 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: Events at the Palais des Congrès & Parc des Expositions Strasbourg Events contribute significantly to Strasbourg's cultural and intellectual vibrancy, making it a dynamic and attractive city. Let's continue to recognize and invest in the power of events (not only major ones) to drive economic growth and enrich our communities! 🚀 *figures communicated by Oak Invest in May 24

This panel will explore the optimal approach to hotel management, comparing branded hotel management, owner-managed operations, and the emerging trend of white-label hotel operators, who are devoid of brand allegiance and solely prioritize the owner's interests. Join us as we delve into the advantages and challenges of each model to determine the most effective strategy in today's hospitality landscape.

At Quadrian we believe passionately in the importance of fostering global linkages among zones worldwide and creating regional synergies, so it was exciting to see the strong representation of Latin America’s free zone leaders at the World Free Zones Organization ("World FZO") Annual Congress in Dubai last week. Leading the charge was the Asociación de Zonas Francas de las Américas - AZFA, alongside Curinde N.V., ANDI - Asociación Nacional de Empresarios de Colombia and free zone trailblazers and innovators from across the region. Julio Rodríguez, newly appointed Executive Director of AZFA, and Claudia Pellerano, President of AZFA and Board Member of World FZO, brought great vigour for global collaborations with peers and partners across the world. The delegations also included a roster of young leaders who are coming up the ranks and reinvigorating the LatAm free zone landscape. While in Dubai, CEOs of Latin American free zones also made site visits to leading hubs such as DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) and Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority – a strong indicator how topics such as AI which are core to Quadrian’s innovation drive are shaping the future of zones. As the event progressed and prepared for the closing, it was increasingly clear that this is a new chapter for free zone ecosystems across the globe, represented in force by Latin America and in concert with Africa and the Middle East to write a new chapter of innovation and global collaboration. We are now preparing for free zone leaders and investors from around the world to join us in Curaçao for the XXVII Conferencia de Zonas Francas de Iberoamérica taking place 13-15 November 2024. This milestone event for the region will showcase the latest trends and best practices for zones globally, explore new investment opportunities and examine the impacts of innovation and technology. Quadrian is honoured to be a supporting partner. For more details check out: https://lnkd.in/ehpcYxR3 #FreeZones #Investment #Collaboration #LatAm #FDI #Curacao #AFZA Jorge Alberto Diaz Rivera Karim Palmieri

🇬🇧 🌎 Panama: The Hub of the Americas! 🛩 Have you ever considered #Panama as THE destination for your next international events? 🤔 If not, let us show you why Panama City is the go-to place for your future #seminars and #conventions! 🎉 Panama 🇵🇦 is THE aerial hub of the region, with its airport "Hub de las Americas" providing air connectivity to no less than 87 cities across the continent! From Canada to Chile, through the Caribbean 😎 Compare this with Bogota 🇨🇴 (44 served cities) or Mexico City 🇲🇽 (43 served cities), and you'll understand why Panama stands out so much! 💪 Of course, connectivity is ensured by the flagship carrier, #CopaAirlines! 🌟 As a member of Star Alliance, they are a major asset for all events in the region. Add to that the flights from Europe with #AirFrance, #KLM, #Iberia, #AirEuropa, and #TurkishAirlines, making Panama a major destination for the organization of international seminars and conventions 🌐 But wait, there's more! Panama City also offers quality hotel capacity and a vibrant atmosphere, with a brand new convention center spanning over 15,000 square meters, the perfect ingredients for large-scale events 🏨✨ With the launch of their new campaign #ItsSoPanama, Copa Airlines is promoting the destination more than ever on its vast international network. 💼 🛫 In summary, Panama is much more than just a destination. It's a crossroads where opportunities, business, and unique experiences converge. So, are you ready to discover everything Panama has to offer? 🌴🌟 #Panama #AerialHub #InternationalEvents

From the days of “I WANT YOU TO COME TO ITALY WITH ME!”, we’ve always believed in the power of invitation—an invitation to experience Italy through a lens of creativity, innovation, and over 50 years of expertise. We’ve always understood that true value lies in more than just words—it’s in what you create, what you deliver, and the lasting impressions you leave behind. We’ve been crafting experiences that do exactly that: create impact, leave a mark, and redefine what’s possible in Italy. 💼🌍 As we head toward IMEX America 2024 Las Vegas, we’re inviting you to see firsthand how our expertise turns vision into reality. This isn’t about the usual offers or promises. It’s about discovering the depth of our experience, the innovation we bring, and the unique ways we deliver results that speak for themselves. 🚀 Come by Stand IMEX #1716 and explore how Be Unique in Italy can shape your next event into something unforgettable. 🌟 [Archival Scan 03]

Barcelona has done a wonderful job hosting the America’s Cup, showcasing itself as an exemplary host city. Its central location in Europe, close to Italy and France, makes it highly accessible for short flights and easy travel, which contributed to the event's success. However, as is often the case with hosting large international events, not everyone is equally thrilled. For the city, it’s a balancing act, trying to satisfy different interests, and while Barcelona presented itself brilliantly on the international stage, not all local residents and stakeholders may see the benefits. Yet, the sad reality is that the America’s Cup may not return to Barcelona. There are strong indications that this chapter will close, with the Cup’s future likely moving to the Middle East, driven by substantial sponsorship interests from the region. Many companies and sponsors demand visibility there, and the financial backing available, particularly for Team New Zealand, could tip the scales. But whether the Middle East will attract as many visitors as a European city is questionable, and it remains to be seen if this shift will truly benefit the America’s Cup and its reputation. As a passionate sailor and sports enthusiast, I find it disappointing that Europe may lose its hold on this iconic event. Team New Zealand’s situation further complicates matters. Unable to secure the level of government support it hoped for back home, the team’s management has had to increase its market value significantly. Now, the waters ahead are likely to be turbulent, with financial maneuvering and tense negotiations playing out behind the scenes. The lines between the winning yacht club and the team that essentially drives and controls it have blurred, almost to the point of coercion—a dynamic that the team has become increasingly adept at navigating. Though Grant Dalton’s track record of success is impressive, he now faces the challenge of balancing ambition with restraint. The lure of big money is strong, but overreach may harm the sport and its integrity. Whether the future host location and conditions will truly benefit sailing is still an open question.

The most powerful cities in the world: 1.🇬🇧 London 2.🇺🇸 New York 3.🇯🇵 Tokyo 4.🇫🇷 Paris 5.🇸🇬 Singapore 6.🇳🇱 Amsterdam 7.🇰🇷 Seoul 8.🇦🇪 Dubai 9.🇦🇺 Melbourne 10.🇩🇪 Berlin According to GPCI-2023, Mori Memorial Foundation The Global Power City Index (GPCI) ranks the world’s most important cities according to their ‘magnetism’, that is, their perceived power to attract creative people and businesses from across the globe, and to “mobilize their assets” to boost economic, social and environmental development.