Page 96 - RLI November 2019

EVENT REVIEW | REVO

An Industry In Flux Revo Liverpool 2019, held on the 17-19 September, was the UK’s largest gathering of

people and businesses that together create, deliver, operate and occupy great places to live,

work, shop, eat and be entertained as attendees discussed and analysed how the industry is
changing in the build-up to one of the most important deadlines in the sector’s history.

he way people shop is changing – no longer just UK. During the event there was a world-class insight and that the stands themselves were busier than ever and the On the morning of the second day there was also a
for goods but for experience. An over-supply of debate platform, which supported professional development panel debates better attended. Revo Study Tour to Royal Albert Dock, where since 2016,
retail space has become clear and the industry is and learning and featured 19 of hours CPD. The event kicked off in the evening of the 17 September with Aberdeen Standard Investments have undertaken works to
T re-purposing and transforming spaces and places Major in and out of town investors and developers that a welcome party at Camp & Furnace before the conference reconfigure much of the commercial space to increase its
to deliver formats and experiences that are relevant, vibrant attended the event included Argent, British Land, C&R, Ellandi, started the morning after with an introductory speech from appeal and suitability with a new mix of operators.
and engaging to customers and wider communities. Because Grosvenor, Hammerson, Hines, Intu, Legal & General, Landsec, Ed Cooke before the first conference session of the day which Revo Liverpool 2019 was also Ed Cooke’s last as CEO,
of this, businesses across the country are being transformed. Lateral Property Group, M&G, Queensberry, Rivington Land, was titled ‘The state we’re in! Wait, what? No… The state with news announced just before the event that he would
What this means is that engaging with, and understanding, Shaftesbury, The Crown Estate, The Lotus Group, Urban of the nation’, a Q&A style session which set the scene for be stepping down after 11 years with Revo. “Now is the
other parts of the real estate, infrastructure, retail and Splash and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and their advisors, attendee debate throughout the two days. Within this session, right time for new leadership to steer the organisation
placemaking sector is critical as the industry moves towards including CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, GCW, JLL, Knight conference facilitator and author Miya Knights attempted to through the next stages of its journey. There is much work
more dynamic, mixed-use destinations. Frank, Lambert Smith Hampton, Lunson Mitchenall, Milligan, get under the skin of the big economic, political and social to be done, but I have absolute faith that the future of our
An event unlike any other in the UK, Revo Liverpool 2019 MMX and Nash Bond, Time Retail Partners and Savills. issues facing the retail sector. Panellists on the session were urban centres will be sustained, as they continue to adapt to
featured delegates from over 1,000 influential companies Ed Cooke, outgoing Chief Executive at Revo, said the Maureen Hinton, Group Retail Research Director, GlobalData changing consumer needs and lifestyles.”
and an exclusive community of the most senior key decision “unfathomability and volatility” in retail and the UK in general Plc, Madeleine McDougall, Managing Director, Global Head Mark Robinson, President of Revo, said: “Over the last three
makers, influencers and experts – all as one captive audience. had helped lead to the “greatest variety of attendees we’ve of Real Estate & Housing, Lloyds Bank and Mark Robinson, years as CEO, Ed has been instrumental in leading a profound
More than 500 UK and international occupiers attended, had” at the event. That included a visible local authority Property Director & Co-Founder, Ellandi & Revo President. change in the purpose and role of Revo, including its rebranding
representing c.240 brands, spanning international fashion, presence, reflective of the acquisitive nature of councils in Throughout the two days there were a number of these and repositioning, ensuring it now represents our broadening
homewares, F&B and wider leisure (cinemas, gyms, physical real estate in recent years. sessions that attempted to delve into the important issues in membership as our industry goes through major structural change.”
competitive socialising experiences) and it even included While the event may have presented a smaller selection of today’s market, giving insight to improve things moving forward. Revo has confirmed that the 2020 conference
some international brands that are not yet present in the models and showcases than in past years, it was noticeable The event was not just about the panel sessions though. will be returning to Manchester 15-17 September.

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