Informa Markets, the organizer of the multi-market Cityscape portfolio of property events, has announced the reinvention of its Dubai event in 2020, aiming to rebuild growth in MENA real estate, amidst the continuing Coronavirus crisis, Invest-Gate reports.

After being postponed earlier due to the germ episode, the long-awaited event is returning to take a new format, with the launch of a “Real Estate Summit.” Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) from November 16 to 17, this one-off edition of Cityscape, co-created with the property industry, will present a business-to-business (B2B) meeting place and knowledge-sharing destination, according to the official statement on September 9.

“A direct response to market demand, Cityscape’s Real Estate Summit is uniquely positioned to help the B2B real estate industry explore routes to re-establish a thriving regional real estate economy and feel the pulse of the real estate market,” read the statement, noting that the new look will last for one year only.

“A return to Cityscape’s heritage as a business-only brand, the format of the event will be centered around a focal arena, with powerful keynote speakers taking the stage; a second stage with tactical talks covering industry and market analysis; and 121 meeting pods, for investors, legal professionals, developers, architects, government, and more to host the conversations that will help bring the real estate market back to long term growth,” it continued.

Bidding to withdraw the norm of sizeable exhibition stands and focus on creating smaller pods to support developers and service providers better reach the market, while also considering challenged budgets in a year of unparalleled disruption, Cityscape’s Dubai 2020 event will feature a tailored buyer program designed to connect institutional and private investors with investment opportunities and players from all across the MENA region.

Commenting on the move, Chris Speller, Informa Markets’ group director of Cityscape, underscored, “With the global and regional real estate markets transformed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Cityscape has been determined to reinvent the 2020 show to match market demand.”

“We are committed to supporting the regional rebound with a ‘back to business’ approach designed to empower developers, designers, and decision-makers with tactics to confront uncertainty and stabilize the regional real estate market,” Speller was quoted as saying.

Cityscape’s Dubai 2020 Real Estate Summit will be hosted with extensive “Informa AllSecure” safety and hygiene measures in place, in an attempt to combat the spread of Coronavirus, the statement concluded.