It's time to forget that final account you were working on and grab your bucket and spade. As the construction industry downs tools and heads to Cannes for MIPIM, QS News brings you an essential guide to surviving the legendary event. We've drawn up a list of Dos and Don'ts and picked out the week's best bits, from first time exhibitors such as Iceland, to where to go if you're sick of champagne and fancy a nice cup of tea (on a yacht) instead. The jewel in the crown, though is a reader's MIPIM poem - we bring you the world exclusive…

The programme

This year's programme, known generally as 'Property Talks', has been divided into four primary categories:

Property Innovates

Architecture, technology and sustainability

Property Diversifies

Investment markets, vehicles and asset classes

Property Responds

Economics, demographics and development

Property Attracts

New regional investment magnets

A lyrical guide to MIPIM

Away down to the Cote d'Azur,

Another MIPIM to endure.

Things to do, people to call, No real work for a week after all.

Meetings to arrange and dinners to plan,

It's time to top up the early sun tan.

Regulars pass on a useful tip:

Take Blackberry and mobile on the trip.

Sunglasses a must, essential daywear,

Helping to look cool through the glare?

Not shade to cut the rays from the sky,

But camouflage for the bleary eyes.

Hangovers come daily, take a cure.

Drink plenty of water - be a bore.

Avoid an early breakfast call,

It takes time to recover after all.

Organise and plan the day,

But diarise some time to play.

After all, a chance meeting on the Croisette

Can bring opportunities, don't forget.

Jot notes on the back of a business card;

To recall your contacts can be hard.

Friday comes, the week's flown past.

Off home to bed and sleep at last!

MIPIM runs from Monday 13 March to Friday 17 March in Cannes

New

‘End-Users on the Road’ sessions will cover China, India and the Middle East

New

‘End-Users on the Road’ sessions will cover China, India and the Middle East

New

‘Investors Speed Matching’ sessions showcasing 12 office, shopping centre, logistics and hotel projects from around the world

Do: Stay fed and watered

We don’t mean with champers and canapés either. Right when you’ll need to be at your most charming you’re likely to be on your feet all day after a previous night of little sleep and much drink. Eat square meals with lashings of water.

Don't: Peak too soon

Try not to get too drunk and stay up too late on the first couple of nights. We know it’s difficult but pace yourself earlier on during the week, otherwise you won’t go the distance.

Do: Jog your memory

Make a note on the back of each business card you get so when you’re back at your desk in the cold light of day you’ll have a hope of remembering who you met (and what you promised them).

Don't: forget the name of your hotel

A disturbing number of MIPIM veterans have tales of flailing around in taxis trying to describe where they thought their hotel might have been in broken, slurred French. If you don’t want to sleep on the beach, write it down.

Do: Take a pair of sunglasses

They’ll serve the dual purpose of making you look cool – de rigueur on the French Riviera darling – and disguising your hideous hungover eyes.

Don't: Book early breakfast meetings

Be realistic. How productive are people going to be at an ungodly hour of the morning after the inevitable big night before? In fact, how likely is it they’ll even turn up?

Do: Be ready to network anytime, anywhere

Whether you’re taking an early morning beach stroll or partying till dawn in Le Jimmyz, have your business cards on you.

Don't: Arrange meetings back to back

You’ll be on better form if you schedule in a few breaks. Also, relaxing in a café or on the beach could lead to an advantageous chance meeting.

Source

QS News