Kingston delegates have jetted off to Cannes for the annual Mipim property conference.

Council executives, private developers and Kingston University representatives have gone to meet “the most influential players from all sectors of the international property industry”.

The trip is being paid for by Kingston Futures – a collaboration between the council and developers including CNM Estates, Berkley Group and British Land.

A statement from Kingston Futures outlined the plan to “showcase the borough’s cultural assets, its lifestyle and vibrant economy as well as its key sites including the Cattle Market, Cocks Crescent and other great opportunity sites.”

Kingston Council has sent deputy chief executive Roy Thompson, growth director Lindsay Barker, strategic planning group manager Lisa Fairmaner and regeneration and internationalism group manager Shabnam Ali.

A council spokeswoman said: “Mipim France gathers the most influential players from all sectors of the international property industry for four days of networking, learning and transactions through premium events, conferences and dedicated exhibition zones.

“Among the many benefits of attending, it provides a unique opportunity to identify potential partners from 2,600 exhibiting companies and over 10,000 participants from across the world, thus increasing Kingston's reach and providing opportunities to help further our ambitious regeneration agenda.

“The council and its partners aim to promote Kingston as a place to locate, invest and do business, ensuring that it remains competitive and reaches its full potential.”

During the four-day conference, a panel discussion entitled “Kingston: shaping creative places” will be held.

A council spokeswoman said: “The panel is set to discuss the importance of community engagement, high quality public realm, creativity and culture as factors that make an area desirable as a location to live, work, invest and spend leisure time in.

“The panel will stress the importance of prioritising these factors when considering development opportunities in Kingston.”

The council was criticised for spending £4,000 to send leader Kevin Davis to the Mipim conference in 2016, to which Cllr Davis responded the authority needed to “act more like a business”.

Last year, the trip was also paid for by the Kingston Futures public-private partnership.