Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger will lead a four-person delegation heading to Cannes, France, later this month for one of the biggest real estate events in the world.
Bigger is headed to the Marché international des professionnels de l’immobilier (MIPIM) conference in Cannes from March 12-15, along with about 26,000 other delegates from 100 countries.
In a news release, the city said they are going to the event because of an award the city received last year for The Junction from the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC).
“(We) will attend the MIPIM conference to launch Greater Sudbury onto the international stage and facilitate connections with the people and businesses that drive the global economy,” the release said.
“MIPIM, the world’s leading real estate event, gathers the most influential players from all sectors of the international property industry for four days of networking and learning through events, conferences and exhibition areas.”
The Junction, which includes the joint library/art gallery and a convention and performance centre, was awarded the EDAC 2018 MIPIM Award “for its outstanding real estate investment opportunity,” the release said. “The award was given based on the downtown revitalization and private sector investment opportunities of the project.”
The award included the cost of booth and registration fees for four participants. The release said $27,500 from Destination Northern Ontario, the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation and the Greater Sudbury Airport will cover travel costs.
When asked what he would say to people who criticize such trips as a waste of time and money, Bigger said he views it as a chance to attract investment and grow Greater Sudbury's economy.
“The whole idea is we're trying to make connections with people in businesses that drive the global economy and make real estate investments around the world,” Bigger said Monday, on the phone from the PDAC conference in Toronto. “And there was a recognition of the opportunities that The Junction project provided for our community and opportunities to launch that project and other works that we're doing in our community on the international stage.
“This is all about stimulating and promoting investment … and letting people know what a great community we are and what we do. I think when people hear about Sudbury and learn about the community, they can see the opportunities – just think of the potential for the mining industry.”
Ian Wood, the city's acting director of community development, said the conference offers a chance to showcase The Junction to investors and hoteliers.
“Showcasing these opportunities on the global stage will present our community as an attractive location to invest and build,” Wood is quoted as saying in the release.
For more information on economic development initiatives of the City of Greater Sudbury, visit www.investsudbury.ca.
