This time next week, regeneration experts from Bradford Council will be flying the flag for the district at a prestigious property event in the south of France.

The Marché International des Professionnels d’Immobilier (MIPIM), to be staged in Cannes from Tuesday to Friday, will be attended by thousands of industry professionals, including developers, financiers and surveyors.

Five councils – Bradford, Leeds, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield – are to exhibit together under the banner of the ‘Leeds City Region’ in a bid to attract investment to the region.

As the event grows closer, more details have emerged about the specific projects that will be promoted by the delegation from the region, who will host a joint stand called Growing And Going Together.

Each district will have its turn in the spotlight, but Bradford’s big moment will come at 4pm on Wednesday when Stephen Talboys, director of city centre regeneration for Bradford Council, and Andy Taylor, economic development programmes manager for the Council, host an event called Destination Bradford.

They will focus on; l The mirror pool City Park, Bradford’s flagship £24.4 million scheme.

l The development of Bradford’s future office market; l Progress on the £750m Learning Quarter.

l The upcoming launch of the huge Prologis distribution centre near the M606, to be used by Marks & Spencer.

l How Bradford’s status as the first UNESCO City of Film can help the city’s regeneration.

l Opportunities for high-growth companies in the health, well-being and digital sectors.

The four-strong delegation from Bradford will also be heavily involved in the Leeds City Region’s keynote event, entitled Powerhouse Of The North, to be staged at the glamorous Palais Stephanie hotel on Wednesday morning.

The breakfast event will feature a panel of speakers made up of key decision-makers in development and regeneration from across Yorkshire.

Mike Cowlam, the Council’s assistant director for regeneration, said: “We are attending MIPIM as part of Leeds City Region as we are working in partnership with Leeds, Kirklees, Wakefield and Calderdale to promote the wider area.

“It is important that we attend as this event is attended by the world’s leading property developers, architects and investors. Such contacts are hugely important and have resulted in major developments in Bradford such as the Southgate development which grew from a contact at MIPIM a few years ago.

“The Homes and Communities Agency chief executive, Sir Bob Kerslake, felt it was imperative that cities such as Bradford and Leeds should attend to demonstrate public leadership.

“The budget is £50,000 for all costs relating to MIPIM including the stand space, stand design, press and PR support and travel expenses. This cost is being met by the City Centre Delivery Unit which is funded jointly by Yorkshire Forward and the Council.

“Officers will be promoting Bradford’s regeneration programme which has continued despite the current recession, and these successes will include designation as the world’s first UNESCO City of Film, the City Park which is now on site and will contain the largest water feature in the UK, the Southgate development which is now under construction, as well as a range of projects being delivered across the district.

“A number of schemes being developed will be market-tested and the team will meet with developers, investors and funders who are looking for new projects.”

The Leeds City Region is one of two ‘pilot’ city regions tasked by central Government with developing a programme of devolved powers and decision-making structures to direct funding in areas key to future economic growth.

The pilot programme focuses on housing-led regeneration, innovation, higher-level workforce skills and transport investment.

Four sponsors for the Leeds City Region’s presence at the event have now been unveiled.

Jean Dent, director of city development at Leeds City Council, said: “The decision to exhibit together as the Leeds city region is a major step forward and gives us the opportunity to showcase the combined strengths and assets of the wider city region together with the advantages it offers as a location for business and investment.”

From 2006 to 2008, Bradford took its own individual stand at the annual event with the aim of promoting the city centre regeneration programme, branded the ‘Birth of a New City’ initiative.

Critics described the trips to the French Riviera as a “jolly”, but regeneration chiefs insisted their presence helped to persuade investors to undertake big schemes in the district.

Sheikh Mani Waheed, managing director of Bradford property agents Squarefoot Apartments, believes Bradford’s presence at MIPIM has been a force for good.

He said: “Bradford Centre Regeneration acted as a great go-between, helping to link up companies. For example, they went out to the MIPIM property conference in Cannes and brought Garbe (a German developer) back to Bradford, then passed them on to us so we could let and sell the apartments they were building.”

Andrew Mason, chairman of Bradford Property Forum and managing director of Shipley-based Newmason Properties, said the MIPIM events had been instrumental in raising Bradford’s profile with the external audience.