Phew... the last few weeks have been a frenzied mix of hotels, events, planes and very little sleep. That means only one thing - it has been the travelling season!
November was a month where hectic would not do the schedule justice. Upon returning from South Africa near the beginning of the month I had a weekend to pack before I headed off to MAPIC. Quickly following this I had to prepare for three weeks away from the office. My first stop was Dubai in the UAE for the REcon Middle East and North Africa event. Then I was onto Beijing in China for the REcon Asia Conference, and then I was back to Dubai for the Future Retail event. It may be the most tiring time of year but the people, surroundings, events and opportunities make it more than worthwhile.
Now, after those three weeks and three events, two countries and two cities, I am back on home soil for the festive celebrations, although a build up to Christmas at home can be just as manic as travelling around the world I'm sure you'll agree.
The travelling really began with what was for me a short trip across the channel to Cannes for the MAPIC showcase, which this year took place in an atmosphere of growing optimism amongst the 8,300 delegates from over 70 countries. The huge event this year focused on omni-channel retailing strategies, the importance of leisure facilities in shopping malls, which was emphasized with the common use of the phrase retailtainment during the event, and the growth of retail real estate opportunities in prime locations and certain second-tier cities. Other highlights at the event included the MAPIC awards where this year the UK won big, and the highly anticipated opening cocktail party which offered a high-profile networking event which was open to all MAPIC participants.
After a couple of days at home following MAPIC, I was on the move again and heading off to Dubai for the REcon MENA event, which was the preeminent educational and networking conference for shopping centre industry professionals, retailers and owners in the region for 2013. The event examined how shopping centres in the MENA region remained resilient during the recession amid a changing financial climate. The conference also featured intense pre-conference workshops, conference sessions and panel discussions by industry experts and professionals that know the business inside and out.
After this event I was back on the plane and off to Beijing for the REcon Asia event which saw the largest gathering of industry professionals in the fastest-growing retail market in the world. The conference gave the ideal venue to discuss leasing opportunities, make deals and network with key decision makers. The program featured speakers from four continents who spoke about the pertinent issues affecting the futures of our business. The event also saw the 6th annual Asia-Pacific Shopping Center awards.
My final stop took me back to Dubai for the Future Retail event. In only its 2nd year the Future Retail event focused on the challenges faced by retailers looking to expand within the Middle East and North Africa. The event, after doing extensive research prior to the conference, focused on four main streams - 'Business Models', 'Location and Traffic', 'Customer Experience' and 'Marketing and E-tailing' to maximise the potential of this event.
Looking ahead into the New Year, the deadline for nominations for the Global RLI Awards 2014 expires on the 31st January 2014. Ensure you send your nomination across by then and don't miss out on the esteemed Global RLI Awards, which next year will be in its 9th year and will take place on the 5th June in the grand setting of the Natural History Museum. To book a table at this must-attend award ceremony just visit www.rli.uk.com/awards/2014/ and guarantee you and your company's seats NOW.
On the topic of RLI in 2014, let me take this opportunity to announce the newest additions to the RLI Connect 2014 event, Saburrito's, Ralph Lauren and Alshaya are the most recent retailers to have signed up to the ever increasing list of attendees. Expanded to take place over two days on the 4th and 5th June at Chelsea Football Club, with an early finish on the 5th to allow you to get ready for our awards, RLI Connect 2014 promises to be bigger and better than our inaugural RLI Connect event which took place this year. Take this chance to book your place now by visiting www.rliconnect.com and sign up to the must-attend deal-making event of 2014.
As we all make the final preparations for the Christmas holidays, myself and the RLI team would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year which will include the 100th issue of RLI, the world's only global retail and leisure magazine. I hope you all enjoy the break and come back re-invigorated for the year ahead.
Till next year...
