The Barcelona Meeting Point (BMP), which took place from 18th to 22nd October in Pavilion 8 of the Barcelona Fair Grounds, closed its 21st edition with the participation of 16 countries and more than 34,000 visitors. A great success for the international fair of the real estate sector, a year in which the number of stands, exhibitors and sponsors grew from 206 to 265 and the commercial space has been 15% greater than last year.
In addition, according to the organisation, 10% of those attending purchased a property or they will do so in upcoming weeks. With respect to the international investors, however, the current uncertainty reduced their participation by 20%.
Among the star themes of this edition, speakers and experts in the subject emphasised the concept of the proptech and the already evident relationship of the sector with the digital era. The application of the new technologies intervenes in all real estate processes: from construction to investment, financing, home automation and marketing. As explained by Aleix Valls, the digital adviser of Colonial, during his participation in the International Symposium, artificial intelligence or big data are two instruments that will generate business and opportunities to the companies that introduce them, but as long as they do it at the opportune moment.
An outstanding novelty of the International Symposium in the framework of the BMP 2017 was the first meeting of WIRES (Women In Real Estate Spain), where they debated how the proptech ecosystem is transforming the real estate sector in its different disciplines.
The different analysts present in the city classified 2017 as the year of the recovery of the real estate sector. In 2016, more than 400,000 dwellings were sold, returning to pre-crisis levels, and real estate continues being a safe haven for investors and individuals. Nonetheless, new challenges are presented for the sector, such as, for example, social housing, and the role of the rental market (in a country that is “historically of buyers”), as well as how to attract young people and cover their needs.
The BMP, an encounter, meeting and networking point for the professionals of the sector, for another year has presented the “Luxury Real Estate Cluster”, an area reserved so that the companies that have a high-value products are in contact with potential national and international buyers; and the “Cluster of Investors”, an exclusive area for professionals of real estate investment.
Finally, after the success in 2016, the BMP also included the “Remodelling Point Cluster”, an exhibit area for companies related to the sector of remodelling, interior design, installations and renovation of dwellings, commercial premises and/or buildings, both of residential and commercial use.
