MANCHESTER, England, June 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

C-level airport executives join government officials and industry leaders in support of inaugural event 

The Aerotropolis EMEA Conference & Exhibition is part of a series of events for the global airport development and real estate communities, designed to complement the Airport Cities World Conference & Exhibition with a more practical approach and a regional focus.

This inaugural event, hosted by Manchester and Airport City Manchester as part of the International Festival for Business 2014, will be held on 8 - 10 July in Manchester, UK and has so far confirmed attendance from more than 35 high-profile key thinkers and implementers of the aerotropolis concept, sharing their learning and understanding of a model that is fast becoming a reality around the globe.

Andrew Stokes, Chief Executive, Marketing Manchester, said: "In true Manchester style we are celebrating our spirit of collaboration by hosting the inaugural Aerotropolis EMEA. The event will attract airport representatives, global city economic developers, international investors and service providers and promises to be the perfect platform to showcase the vast range of opportunities that Airport City Manchester will bring to the region."

Alex Kirby, Executive Vice President, Airport Cities for UBM Live, organisers of the event said: "We are honoured to have such a distinguished line-up of speakers at the inaugural Aerotropolis EMEA. This support, coupled with the comprehensive conference programme will enable delegates to learn more about the innovative and imaginative plans and best practices for aerotropolis planning and development across the EMEA region."

The event will showcase Airport City Manchester, the UK's first Airport City, an £800m landmark development at Manchester Airport along with uniting executives of similar sized projects from across the EMEA region.  

The conference programme will explore how to best communicate the value and benefits of an aerotropolis to investors stakeholders and community leaders assessing the economic impact on the region as well as facilitating growth through enterprise and free trade zones. Charlie Cornish, Group Chief Executive of Manchester Airports Group has already confirmed his participation and attendees will also hear addresses from ‎Lynda Shillaw, Divisional Chief Executive, Property, Manchester Airports Group, Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council and Prof John D. Kasarda, Director, Centre for Air Commerce, University of North Carolina followed by a series of panel discussions and presentations involving thought leaders from throughout the industry.

Charlie Cornish said: "Manchester has always been known as a city of firsts and for being revolutionary. Airport City itself is a UK first, which makes it a pleasure, and rather fitting, to have the inaugural Aerotropolis EMEA here in the region next month."

"We are looking forward to sharing our in-depth insights and knowledge on the Aerotropolis notion amongst attendees and other highly regarded speakers who are well respected in the aviation world. I am sure the event will be a great success and look forward to being involved."

Other speakers will include: Kristina Alvendal, CEO of Airport City Stockholm; Dr. Michael Kerkloh, President & CEO of Munich Airport; Guy Stephenson, Chief Commercial Officer of London Gatwick Airport; Saxen Van Coller, CEO of Dube TradePort; David Fei, President & CEO, Taoyuan International Airport Corporation and Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of Airport Operators Association.

Aerotropolis EMEA 2014 offers attendees a unique opportunity to connect, engage and build credibility with current or prospective industry partners whilst also providing a fantastic opportunity for any organisation wishing to network with decision-makers from the fastest growing and expanding Aerotropolis developments within Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Notes to Editors 

About Aerotropolis EMEA 

• The Aerotropolis EMEA Conference and Exhibition (AEMEA) is the new annual event for the global airport development and real estate communities, designed to complement the Airport Cities World Conference and Exhibition (ACE) with a more practical approach and a regional focus.
• During its 13-year journey around the globe, a number of major international airports and pioneers of the Aerotropolis concept have hosted the Airport Cities conference, including Dubai, Detroit, Rome, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, Beijing, Dallas, Memphis, Denver, Ekurhuleni and Kuala Lumpur.
• The Airport Cities brand was acquired by UBM in 2012 and from 1^st August 2012 Airport Cities Conference and Exhibition, the Aerotropolis events and the Routes and ASM businesses became part of the UBM Live division of UBM plc.
• UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote their brands and expand their markets.  Through premiere brands such as MD&M, CPhI, IFSEC, TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show, the Routes portfolio of events, Aerotropolis Americas, Aerotropolis EMEA and Airport Cities, UBM Live exhibitions, conferences, awards programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 industry sectors. http://www.ubmlive.com
• Follow us on twitter: @AirportCities

About Airport City Manchester 

• Airport City will take Manchester Airport beyond its traditional use of a regional transport hub and transform it into an international business destination in its own right with 5m sq ft of advanced manufacturing, retail, office, hotel and logistics space available
• Airport City Manchester is a joint venture project with MAG (50%), Carillion PLC (20%), Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG) (20%) and Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) (10%). Plus Argent has been appointed as development manager for the project
• The wider Airport City Enterprise Zone totals 116 hectares and is anchored by Manchester Airport and University Hospital South Manchester (UHSM). In addition to MAG's Airport City developments, a MediPark initiative is proposed at UHSM, along with the regeneration of Wythenshawe town centre. A £300m extension of Greater Manchester's successful Metrolink light rail network, with a new line connecting Enterprise Zone sites is under-construction and will open in 2016. In total, the wider Airport City Enterprise Zone will create up to 16,000 jobs over the next 10-15 years
• Manchester Airport is the only major UK airport other than London Heathrow with two full-length runways and flies 21 million passengers annually to around 210 destinations. It also has spare capacity to significantly grow and further establish its role as the direct long-haul gateway for the North.
• MAG serves 43 million passengers annually through its ownership and operation of Manchester, London Stansted, East Midlands and Bournemouth airports.

About Marketing Manchester 

• Marketing Manchester is the agency charged with promoting the City on a national and international stage.
• We aim to develop the Manchester city-region into a leading leisure, learning and business destination for domestic and international visitors, enhance the national and international reputation of the city-region and promote sustainable economic development and growth.

About UBM plc 

• UBM plc is a global events-led marketing services and communications company.  We help businesses do business, bringing the world's buyers and sellers together at events and online, as well as producing and distributing news and specialist content.  Our 5,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into expert teams which serve commercial and professional communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.
• For more information, go to http://www.ubm.com; follow us on Twitter at @UBM_plc to get the latest UBM corporate news; follow @UBM for news from all UBM's businesses; follow @UBM for a flavour of UBM from selected members of UBM's Twitterati.

SOURCE UBM Live, Airport Cities