Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, ECE Marketplaces is hosting the 21st edition of its Retail & Placemakers Meeting – Europe’s largest networking event in the retail real estate sector. Held in Hamburg’s historic Fischauktionshalle, the event brings together around 800 industry leaders and partners from retail, hospitality, placemaking, and entertainment to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and discuss the future of cross-border retail.
Founded in 1965 by mail-order pioneer Werner Otto, ECE was instrumental in introducing the concept of modern shopping centers to Germany. Today, the company manages, leases, and develops around 130 shopping centers and over 65 retail parks across Europe on behalf of their owners – making it a major player in the European retail property landscape.
A central theme of this year’s gathering is international connectivity – highlighting the opportunities and challenges of cross-border expansion for retailers, operators, investors, and consumers alike.
“As Europe’s leading shopping center operator and retail landlord, we’ve been a key partner in helping retailers expand into new markets for over 60 years,” said Joanna Fisher, CEO of ECE Marketplaces.
“We see our Retail & Placemakers Meeting as a powerful platform for driving this international collaboration and bringing exciting, forward-thinking concepts into our centers, creating added value for all stakeholders.”
Since launching the event in 2003, ECE has built a reputation for convening the industry’s most influential decision-makers and fostering long-term partnerships that shape the future of retail in Europe.
