France, a Successful Congress Destination France Meeting & Convention Board
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FRANCE, A SUCCESSFUL CONGRESS DESTINATION FRANCE MEETING & CONVENTION BOARD EDITO CONTENTS Our objective through this publication is ▪ Be Inspired, Be in France p.5 to inspire associations, executives and ▪ Be Inspired by French dynamism p.6 congress planners. The France Meeting and ▪ Angers / Loire Valley p.8 Convention Board wants to reveal a global destination that is highly sought and is at ▪ Biarritz Pays Basque p.12 the service of all associations. To properly ▪ Bordeaux p.16 execute this vision, we work with leading ▪ Cannes / Côte d’Azur p.20 French congress cities that embody the ▪ Chamonix Mont-Blanc / strong dynamism of France in the meetings Alps-Mont Blanc p.26 industry. Convention Bureaus provide ▪ Deauville / Normandy p.30 everything associations need to set up or ▪ Dijon / Burgundy p.34 run their events, from human resources to meetings facilities as well as assistance and ▪ Hauts-de-France p.38 support. ▪ La Baule / Loire Valley p.42 France is a very attractive destination ▪ Lille / Hauts-de-France p.46 for your delegates. Cities respond to new ▪ Lyon p.50 trends with Convention Centres offering a ▪ Marseille / Provence p.54 wide spectrum of facilities. But what your ▪ colleagues will remember most of all is Martinique p.58 whether the city was a good fit for your ▪ Monaco p.62 specific objectives. The reinforcement of the ▪ Montpellier / Occitanie country’s many knowledge hubs is testament South of France p.66 to France’s commitment to research and ▪ Nancy / Alsace & Lorraine p.70 shows a true sense of innovation all around. ▪ Nantes p.74 ▪ Nice / Côte d’Azur p.78 This supplement is the easiest way to source your next destination in France. We look at all ▪ Orléans Métropole / Loire Valley p.82 the elements you need to consider; facilities, ▪ Paris p.86 training, networking, accessibility, so that you ▪ Provence & Côte d’Azur p.90 can make an informed, fact-based decision. ▪ Rennes / Brittany p.94 ▪ Strasbourg / Alsace & Lorraine p.98 We are looking forward to meeting you in ▪ Toulouse / Occitanie France. South of France p.102 Best regards. ▪ Tours / Loire Valley p.106 ▪ Disney Business Solutions p.110 Christian MANTEI CEO of Atout France FRANCE MEETING & CONVENTION BOARD 3 | FRANCE, A SUCCESSFUL CONGRESS DESTINATION ATOUT FRANCE, FRANCE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AGENCY Atout France, the French government’s sole operator in terms of tourism development, is entrusted with contributing to the reinforcement of the attractiveness of Destination France and of the competitiveness of its companies and related sectors. Thanks to its 33 offices across the world and a close collaboration with the Embassies, the Agency boasts an in-depth knowledge of the different tourist markets and their various distributors. ATOUT FRANCE MISSIONS PROMOTIONAL During the Interministerial Tourism OPERATIONS Committee of 19th January, the Prime We meet you during the MICE industry Minister went on to reiterate the event abroad, which we are involved in. objectives set by the Government (100 More than 100 promotional operations million visitors to France in 2020, revenue are arranged every year across the of 50 billion euros), and underpinned the globe, targeting international MICE and role of Atout France in its missions: association professionals. ▸ Renew the offer and monitor its quality through studies and surveys, as well as by financing structural tourism projects RESOURCES TO BE across the various territories; INSPIRED ▸ Encourage the development and the ▸ A powerful media tool, France.fr, promotion of destination brands (and available in 16 languages across 31 that of individual companies) on an versions, with which browsers from all international level. over the world can explore the art de vivre of France’s varied destinations. FRANCE MEETING ▸ A website dedicated to associations and professional event planners. AND CONVENTION www.meetingsfrance.fr BOARD, A SUPPORT TO ▸ Follow the France Meeting and Convention ASSOCIATIONS Board Twitter account to keep informed The France Meetings and Convention about the latest news and trends: Board relies on a network of over 100 @CLUSTER_MICE professionals to provide international event organisers and association professionals with the best conditions for a successful Key contact: event. Thanks to its expertise it provides Sophie LACRESSONNIERE, tools on demand to help them making their Marketing Director of Atout France conference a truly memorable experience. [email protected] 4 FRANCE MEETING & CONVENTION BOARD FRANCE, A SUCCESSFUL CONGRESS DESTINATION | BE INSPIRED, BE IN FRANCE A WELCOMING CONGRESS and adapt its offer to international standards. DESTINATION Large-scale renovation works and new France is the world’s leading destination venues are designed to meet expectations with 88 to 89 million visitors. Its popularity and new trends. results from a successful combination of factors. An easily accessible destination with 11 international airports and 1,242 miles of highspeed railway tracks, and also an effortless destination with dedicated "welcome packs" for professionals visitors. But what makes France so special is its distinct Art de Vivre, its rich cultural Heritage, its unique and diverse landscapes and its delectable gastronomy. France provides visitors with an unforgettable experience and add to the quality of your congress. KEY MESURES France, has begun a process of improving how it welcomes foreign visitors. Key measures are taken to work on quality, simplicity, security and attractiveness and keep France one of the best MICE destinations: visas within 48 hours, shops open late all week long, multilingual signposting at airports and train stations, priority access for Congress delegates... Security has also been stepped up in tourist areas and convention centres. FRANCE RENEWS ITS The logistical success of COP21 and UEFA Euro 2016 was largely down to this process. CONGRESS OFFER Successful events like these strengthen Thanks to its network of talented and France’s bids to host major events and service-focused event & congress industry business conferences. professionals, France has a proven track record of hosting successful events. Determined to continue to offer improving services and support to international event & congress organisers, the destination doesn’t take such notoriety for granted and keeps working on its structure in order to renew FRANCE MEETING & CONVENTION BOARD 5 | FRANCE, A SUCCESSFUL CONGRESS DESTINATION BE INSPIRED BY FRENCH DYNAMISM With economic and scientific expertise, innovation is key to meeting people and creating a stimulating environment for visitors. Take advantage of our expertise to guarantee the success of your association’s event. KNOWLEDGE and services, the successful ones quickly AND RESEARCH HUB become companies with international With 71 innovation clusters or centres of perspectives. Consequently, in order to excellence and backed by its strong industrial help their growth, to generate economical tradition and internationally renowned value and to create new jobs, the French expertise, France is a leading player in a government decided to launch the French number of key economic sectors, multiplying Tech Initiative with the ambition of making its innovation hubs. France one of the "Big Start-up Nations". Life sciences, biotechnology, healthcare, This initiative led to the opening of the information technology, environment, Station F campus in 2017, the world’s largest automotive, aerospace, mechanical industries, start-up campus. logistics, chemicals, energy and clean tech companies, agri-food… France’s designated READINESS FOR THE FUTURE clusters bring together – in one geographical As the Fourth Industrial Revolution gathers location – leading businesses, universities momentum, decision-makers are confronted and research institutions that will work with a new set of uncertainties regarding the together on cutting-edge Research and future. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is Design projects. characterised by a range of new technologies With such dynamism and expertise available that are fusing the physical, digital and to associations, France intends to remain one biological worlds, impacting all disciplines, of the top congress destinations. economies and industries. Rapidly emerging technologies are spurring the development of new production techniques, business models and value chains that will fundamentally transform global production. Both the speed and scope of change add a layer of complexity to the already challenging task of WELL-SUPPORTED developing and implementing strategies that promote growth. France is already aware of ECONOMICAL, INDUSTRIAL the factors and conditions required in order AND TECH DYNAMISM to be ready for the future. Whether in terms Because start-ups support various innovation of structure or means of production, France sectors, such as health technologies, green ranks 14th among the countries most likely to technologies, biotechnologies and finance, embrace the 4th industrial revolution. (World and because they also explore new products Economic Forum Report 2018). 6 FRANCE MEETING & CONVENTION BOARD | ANGERS / LOIRE VALLEY ANGERS LOIRE VALLEY THE WINNING ALLIANCE FOR SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS Located in the Loire Valley, a UNESCO world unique and prestigious sites: Angers Castle, heritage site in Western France, Angers is a 13th century fortress housing the world ‘s ideally located less than 90 min from Paris and largest medieval Tapestry, the outstanding only 2h20 by direct train from