ACROSS: WHAT IS DIFFERENT FROM LAST YEAR’S MAPIC AND WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT?
NATHALIE DEPETRO: Due to the Covid pandemic, a lot of things have changed in the industry. In fact, a huge acceleration of new trends has taken place. And this made the industry move very quickly toward a new retail mix. It is all about creating lifestyle destinations and leisure, and F&B plays an important role in this. Customers today want to spend time together; they want to have fun. So, for the 2021 edition, 50% of all exhibitors are from the leisure and food industry which is completely new compared to last year’s edition. And that’s an amazing change! We also broke the rules a little bit because we are omnichannel: the conferences are not in one room anymore, there will be a TV studio with a digital platform.
ACROSS: ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR AREAS THAT YOU ARE FOCUSING ON THIS YEAR?
DEPETRO: The MAPIC Innovation Forum, dedicated to tech & digital, doubles its size due to the importance of omnichannel transformation in the retail industry. Mapic has become three shows in one. For the first time, traditional retail players can meet leisure and F&B players in a single networking place. We’ll have three main areas in the exhibition zone: the MAPIC innovation forum, the traditional property players (incl. TV studio), and the leisure and food area with 60 exhibitors. Thus, MAPIC 2021 creates a real dynamic for the industry to exchange on new business models and new ideas for the next decade on an international level. Among others, real estate players from Europe, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Tunisia etc. and over 600 international brands are already registered.
ACROSS: IN TERMS OF VISITOR NUMBERS, WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS?
DEPETRO: It is difficult to say because at the last MAPIC Italy and MIPIM in September, we have experienced a strong increase in registrations in the last three weeks before the event. Right now, we have 3000 registrations and we expect to reach 4000/4500 in the next few weeks. Of course, it’s less than in 2019 but we’ll have a more international and qualitative MAPIC than ever. 42 countries are already represented and the people who want to do business will be there. That is really the value proposition of MAPIC: being a marketplace, bringing together the new brands and players of the decade, and being international. Even if the US and Asia will be less represented due to corporate travel bans, we can still discuss and meet with them through our digital platform.
ACROSS: AND WHAT ABOUT SANITARY AND SAFETY MEASURES?
DEPETRO: As I mentioned, the safety of our clients, partners and staff is our top priority, MAPIC ensures safe distances in all networking areas, between table discussions, and during closed-door events. We also created a way to lead the traffic to a constant flow and avoid traffic jams. PCR stations and hand sanitizers have been installed. We even had to stop booking exhibitors–although they were many more–to execute all safety precautions correctly. All of this allows us to have a celebration and cocktail hours as well, which I am already looking forward to.
ACROSS: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO PASS ON TO EXHIBITORS AND VISITORS?
DEPETRO: It’s going to be a new MAPIC. New segments, leisure, and food will be there. Come, make business and let’s have fun together!
For a list of all retailers and operators (as of October 29) click here:
