Homebuyer Events Ltd and parent company Expomedia Group plc have agreed a formal partnership with PFI Events Ltd to organise and promote a major combined B2B and B2C property event in the summer of 2009.

The four day event – due to take place from 28th-31st May 2009 at Moscow’s leading venue, Expocentre – will be open to both the public and professionals. Educational content such as seminars, workshops and debates will be trade focused for the first two days and investor-centric on days three and four.

“Many of our clients have wanted to penetrate the Russian market which has not been impacted in the same way by the credit crunch as elsewhere, but they have been wary or unsure how to do so,” said Nick Clark, managing director of Homebuyer Events Ltd. “This partnership is a marriage made in heaven and our combined resources and knowledge will ensure we deliver a superior event to those currently on offer.”

Interest in forming partnerships with Russian agents has become one of the talking points of the industry in the last six months as Russian buyer activity has intensified.

Xavier Wiggins, CEO of PFI Media – the company behind OPPLive, OPP Magazine and OPP Russia – said this interest is due to the country’s continued economic growth. “The increase in widespread distribution of wealth means that the ranks of the middle class will swell from the 30million now to nearly 75million by 2020 and incomes are predicted to rise by a staggering 150% between 2006 and 2010 according to Russia’s Economics Ministry,” he said. “With Russians becoming better educated about property, and both visas and mortgage finance making more destinations accessible, they have become far more adventurous and are buying globally. This is creating tremendous new opportunities for international developers as well as agents in Russia and the CIS.”

Local sales, marketing and operational activities will be managed by Expomedia Group’s Russian subsidiary, EME Russia, which has an established and professional team of over 170 exhibition and conference industry experts.

“We are delighted to be launching this new show in Russia where we have an established and experienced team of industry professionals who will be able to work very closely with local contacts and guide exhibitors and visitors through the process efficiently and effectively, ensuring they gain the maximum from their participation,” commented Mark Shashoua, CEO Expomedia Group. Source: OPP