How to make the most of UKREiiF 2025

May in West Yorkshire can mean only one thing, as the world’s property, infrastructure and built environment professionals descend on Leeds for UKREiiF, which this year takes place between Tuesday 20th and Thursday 22nd of the month. The fourth edition of the ever-growing showcase promises to be the biggest, boldest and most ambitious event yet.  

As part of the Northern Agenda’s latest newsletter, our founder, Julian Pearce recently provided his top tips on making the most of this year’s conference – he also reflected on learnings from the past three years and how delegates and others make the most of their time at the event. 

Past editions of UKREiiF 

UKREiiF arrived on the conference landscape with a bang in 2022. As the country emerged into post-pandemic recovery, it set out its stall as a must-attend event. Coming as it does in short order after the more established MIPIM showcase, in that first year we were even treated to the warmth of Cannes on the canal sides of Leeds. 

Every year since then, the event has increased in size, with a reported 13,000 attendees in 2024, and 16,000 expected in 2025. It is proving so popular, in fact, that as with previous years there has been a scramble for hotel rooms, with delegates staying in locations on the peripheries of the city. There are even reports of people commuting daily from London, Newcastle and further afield. 

Who is UKREiiF for? 

While property, placemaking and public-sector figures will provide perhaps the strongest showing in terms of delegates, the event has expanded to be a truly sector-wide proposition, from transportation to tech, and from professional services to pharmaceuticals.  

And because the remit has expanded, you’ll find that the programme caters for an increasingly wide audience base. In fact, there will likely be something for most tastes and most businesses can benefit from either attending or networking on the fringes. 

One of the most crucial components to its success has been buy-in from local authorities. You’d expect councils in West Yorkshire to be out in force, but those from across the north – such as Hull, Newcastle and Burnley and everywhere in between will also be in attendance this year. And demonstrating UKREiiF’s reach, you’ll also hear from councils as far away as Aberdeen and Cornwall, as well as a host of international organisations. 

What can we expect to hear? 

There will be a plethora of announcements, to the extent that we could be inundated. With everyone competing for attention, the cream will inevitably rise to the top, and those offering anything less than the spectacular will be at risk of not getting the limelight they desire.  

Businesses are always encouraged to share their news at UKREiiF, so we can expect some major announcements, perhaps from ministers, local authorities, housing associations or private entities. Infrastructure has been uppermost on agendas in the first part of 2025, so keep an eye out for those involved in the road, rail and aviation sectors. 

Coming as it does just a few short weeks after local elections, we’ll likely see either new mayors out in force, or mayoral authorities adjusting to a new normal as devolution continues its march into various regions of the UK. 

Is UKREiiF a place for lobbying? 

The event has always staked its reputation on attracting top policymakers. Every year, it has attracted ministerial interest, as well as a host of council leaders and metro mayors.  

But top politicians will be in high demand at the event, so if you’re thinking of being able to catch a discreet chat, you may be disappointed. Fringe events do offer an opportunity to network in a more relaxed setting, and this year, an ‘In Conversation with…’ event will bring together Andy Burnham and Tracey Brabin, who will be speaking at Bibis restaurant on the Tuesday evening alongside the Manchester developer behind Capital+Centric, Tim Heatley.  

What’s the best use of time at UKREiiF? 

Anyone who’s signed up to be a delegate will have access to the full directory, along with useful functionality that allows you to connect with fellow attendees and plan ahead.  

But with such a packed schedule, it can be tempting to try and fill every minute of every day. From experience, the beauty and real value of UKREiiF are the chance meetings, conversations and stolen minutes when you meet someone with similar interests.  

That isn’t to say, however, that you shouldn’t do your research. An updated website (which also details the packed fringe programme) and a new App will help you more effectively use your time. Spending an hour or two familiarising yourself with the set-up, and planning routes between locations, will be well worth the effort.  

There is a real buzz about the city during UKREiiF. Pavements and river-walks are packed with conference-goers, restaurants are full to bursting, and the air is peppered with positive chatter and opportunity. Make sure you take the time to soak it all in. 

Yasper at UKREiiF

And to add a couple of paragraphs that weren't in the Northern Agenda piece, what role will we be playing at UKREiiF?

First-up, we're excited to be working with national property network You and Everyone in Property (YEP - formerly Young Entrepreneurs in Property) to bring to life a write-up of a session held recently at the University of Leeds on the role of tech in the built environment. This will form the latest in our series of insight reports, and will be available to download from our website during the event.

We'll be supporting an exciting project we've just kicked off in Bradford. This campaign for a heritage destination within the city will be brought to life at the Bradford Showcase in Mumtaz. We've already lined up a series of media interviews and features as part of the work - watch this space!

We were excited that our longstanding client First Bus will be partnering with the event to run a sustainable shuttle bus from Leeds Station to the event venue at Leeds Dock. There are plenty of ways to get to UKREiiF, by foot, bike and even boat. But with First committed to providing an additional option that will help keep cars off the roads, we're fully behind them.

Another longstanding client who will be there in force will be the team at Market Curators. Raymond, James and Chris will be at the event, talking through the transformative projects they've worked on with councils and private companies, and what their approach to markets means for the health of retail and high streets alike.

In terms of our own attendance, Yasper account manager Bethany will be there across all three days, while Yasper founder Jules will be there on Tuesday to talk through our insight report and latest findings on prop tech. Our team will also be out in force at a range of private meetings, dinners, coffees, fringe events and charity partnerships from the Monday to the Thursday.

How many canapes are too many canapes? Asking for a friend.