This week in 2009

As Mipim returns to the streets of Cannes this week, we cast our minds back to 2009, when the annual event looked set to become a far more frugal and scaled-back event than it had been in previous incarnations, due largely to the recession. This was demonstrated by delegate bookings being down a third on 2008’s attendance. In response to this, Building helpfully compiled a cut-out-and-keep guide on how to best survive the event on a shoestring budget, which encouragingly starts:

“The sun is dipping over the Cannes skyline as a surprisingly kempt QS wearily slumps down on one of the many vacant benches. After glancing furtively from side to side, he whips out the first of a four pack of Fosters, greedily eyeing as he does so the frites (large, according to his professional assessment) being devoured by the figure on his right. Below, a small huddle of gaunt British delegates on the Croissette are trying to flog an imported case of chunky gold jewellery and English football scarves, hoping to make the most of the exchange rate to raise the money for a ticket home…

Okay, it might not be that bad, but Mipim 2009 is shaping up to be a rather different occasion to its lavish predecessors.”