From March 9–13, 2026, the international real estate community will once again gather in Cannes for MIPIM. With more than 20,000 delegates from over 90 countries attending, MIPIM continues to be one of the world’s most important meetings for the industry, bringing together investors, developers, advisors, city representatives, and policymakers.
Taking place at the Palais des Festivals, the event enters its 36th edition at a moment when the sector is still recalibrating — financially, technologically, and politically.
As in previous years, MIPIM 2026 will combine exhibitions, conferences, and a dense schedule of meetings. The agenda reflects a sector facing slower transaction volumes in some markets, changing risk profiles, and increasing regulatory pressure, while also dealing with the rapid emergence of new technologies and business models. Topics such as artificial intelligence, data centers, energy transition, and the future of cities are expected to feature prominently across panels and side events, often framed through the lens of practical implementation rather than abstract vision.
One notable addition to the 2026 program is the introduction of the RE-Family Summit, a closed-door format designed for family offices and institutional investors. It focuses on real estate allocation strategies in both developed and emerging markets and is intended to encourage more in-depth discussions. Confirmed participants from the institutional investment sector include Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), GIC, Mubadala, Norges Bank Investment Management, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, Qatar Investment Authority, Temasek, and The World Bank Pension Fund.
New Leadership, New Perspectives
MIPIM 2026 will also be the first edition under the direction of Nicolas Boffi. In outlining his priorities, Boffi has emphasized the need for closer dialogue between public and private stakeholders. Cities are facing pressures ranging from housing affordability and infrastructure renewal to climate adaptation and fiscal constraints.
The opening keynote at MIPIM 2026 will be delivered by Philippe Aghion, Professor at the Collège de France and INSEAD and a Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics. His academic work is widely known for its analysis of economic growth driven by innovation and competition, often described as “creative destruction.”
At MIPIM, Aghion is expected to address the implications of technological change for cities and real estate markets, including how innovation can support more sustainable and resilient urban development.
Looking Ahead: The Next Generation
While the focus of MIPIM remains on established players, the event continues to make room for younger professionals through the MIPIM Challengers program. In 2026, the initiative will welcome its largest cohort so far, with 43 participants under the age of 31 from across Europe and beyond.
The program offers access to the full event, structured networking opportunities, and a leadership development component with a particular emphasis on AI and emerging technologies. Compared to the main program, the Challengers initiative remains relatively small, but it reflects an ongoing effort to engage with the next generation of industry professionals.
As MIPIM 2026 approaches, the fair presents itself less as a showcase of optimism and more as a place for assessment and adjustment. Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, political change, and technological acceleration, Cannes will once again serve as a setting where the real estate industry takes stock of capital, cities, and its own direction.
MIPIM Conference Program
MIPIM 2026 is accompanied by an extensive conference program organized around four main stages, five pavilions deep dives and Summits.
For more information, click here or on the image below to download the conference program.
