Ed Neaves, Illinois REALTORS® President-elect, speaks at the U.S. Breakfast in Cannes, France, during the MIPIM U.S. Breakfast.

Illinois REALTORS® President-elect Ed Neaves touted Illinois’ economic attribute for a crowd of those interested in U.S. Investment at the annual MIPIM conference in Cannes, France, on Thursday.

Neaves spoke at the U.S. Breakfast, which is held each year to allow attendees at the real estate event to connect and get information from REALTOR® Partners in the NAR pavilion.

“Illinois, of course, is really in the center of everything,” Neaves said. “It always has been, both by geography and by economics. The state powers the Midwestern U.S.”

Illinois REALTORS® was one of four sponsors for the breakfast, held at the Palais des Festivales in Cannes.

“REALTORS® provide the local knowledge for transactions, and whether your needs are commercial, industrial or residential, we have experts who can help guide you through the process of making Illinois home,” Neaves said. “Our network of REALTOR® professionals covers every corner of the state, and nearly every facet of the real estate industry.”

Neaves’ presentation covered Illinois’ extensive rail network and connections to the world through relationships with foreign companies.

The MIPIM conference concludes Friday. More than a dozen Illinois REALTORS® participated in the event.