We may live in a multichannel retailing marketplace, but we must not forget the importance of a handshake, a coffee and a conversation.

No matter how much can be done over the phone or by email, there is untold value in looking into the whites of someone’s eyes, sharing ideas and sitting down annotating a plan or reviewing a document together.

This wisdom remains at the heart of the annual BCSC Conference, which returns to Olympia London next month for two days of insight, education, networking and deal-making. We may be technologically driven in our daily lives, but that hasn’t stopped our industry acknowledging the need to get together every so often to do good business.

Looking at the number of retailer professionals in attendance at BCSC conferences, figures have risen, with over 800 retailers last year and sign-ups on track to surpass that this year.

Technological advances and the rise of the internet catapulted retail property into international markets that were untapped a decade ago. By association, that means the globe also comes to us now for that all important face-to-face engagement. And they are doing so by attending BCSC 2014.

We are delighted to confirm that, after 20 international retailers enjoyed the benefits of 3,000 of the leading lights in UK retail property coming together under the BCSC banner last year, word has spread. 32 international retailer professionals, representing 23 different brands from as far afield as Poland, the Netherlands, the USA, Canada, Mexico and the UAE, will be at Olympia London on 10 and 11 September.

They will enjoy a bespoke ‘matchmaking’ service to link them with the landlords, agents and developers who will help bring their fascias to our shores.

Tom Meager, director of property at Primark and BCSC president.