Five Things We Learned from MAPIC 2024
MAPIC 2024 is a three-day event held annually in Cannes, France that brings together the retail, leisure, and real estate industries.
MAPIC? That stands for Le marché international professionnel de l’implantation commerciale et de la distribution.
For us, there were five main takeaways from attending the event:
LeisurUP Was Quiet This Year
LeisurUp is the section of the show which highlights location-based attractions in lifestyle destinations such as retail sites, urban, transport and travel destinations.
But this year was less busy than usual.
This was likely due to scheduling clashes with IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions held in Florida) and Thanksgiving. Timing really is critical when it comes to global events. We did, however, have some meaningful chats with various companies about partnerships.
Developers have a singular focus
MAPIC was heavily slanted toward developers looking to sell apartments this year, with less discussion or thought as to how the leisure industry could enhance spaces - it’s a missed opportunity, given the potential of experiential leisure to transform places.
Networking remains a key driver within the industry
The TEA Mixer proved invaluable, offering a space to connect with interesting people from different sectors and to explore potential collaborations. It was a reminder (again) that relationships often drive innovation in our industry.
Interactive is growing in importance
Sessions like "Discover Why Experiential Leisure and Competitive Socialising Matter" highlighted the importance of immersive and interactive experiences in shaping modern leisure. It was a refreshing perspective on industry trends.
Winter Sun Makes Everything Better
Ending November in the sunshine of Cannes? There’s really no better way to spark inspiration and start thinking about new opportunities.
MAPIC showcased both the opportunities and challenges of connecting leisure and real estate, while outlining the importance of pushing creative boundaries.
