PARIS: Reed Midem, which organises the international television programming event MIPTV, has announced price freezes and initiatives which aim to provide better value and reliable service to the 60,000 clients who attend its trade shows each year in Cannes.

Agreements have been reached between Reed Midem and the Palais des Festivals, where shows are held, as well as with the hotels, restaurants, beach restaurants and taxi associations.

The agreements were reached due to meetings initiated by Reed Midem's CEO Paul Zilk, and the deputy mayor and president of the Palais des Festivals David Lisnard. The aim is strengthen the message to trade fair visitors that Cannes is an ideal location for professional events.

As per the agreement there will be a freeze of prices in hotels and the Palais itself, increased taxi capacity, plus commitments of quality and customer service by the restaurants, hotels and taxis such as a number of hotels who no longer apply a minimum stay. These measures will benefit visitors of MIPIM, MIPTV, MILIA, MIPCOM and MAPIC this year. In addition, Reed Midem has already announced a freeze of its prices for MIPCOM and MIPTV this year, and for MIDEM in 2004.

Many restaurants who are part of the Syndicat des Restaurateurs of Cannes will propose special menus and values to show guests. A special restaurant reservation service will also be offered to show attendees.

Inside the Palais des Festivals, space and service costs, such as audio-visual equipment and furniture, have not been raised since last year. In addition, new services like security video surveillance have been added. Reed Midem has also announced a 24-hour Hotel Hotline which will deal with any problems linked to check in and check out.

Reed Midem is part of Reed Exhibition, one of the world’s leading organisers of trade and consumer events with a portfolio of over 470 events in 35 countries. Each year, RE brings together over 156,000 suppliers and nine million buyers from around the globe.