Interview with Cédric Fiolet, Managing Director of Montpellier Events

WE HAVE DEVELOPED A NEW TURNKEY E-CONGRESS PRODUCT

What is the aim of the agreement signed between Montpellier Events and Agropolis International?

Cédric Fiolet - By signing a cooperation agreement between the scientific community Agropolis International and Montpellier Events, manager of four major sites including the Corum-Palais des Congrès, our aim is to develop the hosting of congress and symposium-type events in Montpellier, all linked to Agropolis International's areas of expertise, namely agriculture, food, the environment and biodiversity. In 2016, we will be hosting seven international conferences in these fields at the Corum-Palais des Congrès. We have decided to pool our respective strengths and skills to help host these events. We will also be providing our expertise to the researchers behind the projects. This agreement also aims to raise the profile of our region and its scientific cluster.

More generally, what types of congresses is Montpellier targeting?

C. F. - Generally speaking, thanks to the facilities we manage, i.e. the Corum-Palais des Congrès, the Montpellier Arena, the Parc des Expositions and the Zénith Sud, we are in a position to cater for conferences of very different sizes, ranging from the 'classic' conference, with between 300 and 500 people, to the largest, which can be organised at the Corum-Palais des Congrès for up to 2,000 participants, and even XXL conferences, which can be held at the heart of the Arena and the Parc des Expositions.

What new features are you offering delegates?

C. F. - Our business requires us to constantly challenge ourselves. For example, we have developed a new turnkey e-congress product in partnership with Callimédia, a local company specialising in e-learning. However, these 'virtual' conferences are not entirely paperless. Montpellier Events also provides organisers with equipped spaces, conference rooms and technical expertise. In particular, we have a recording studio with sound, lighting, video, broadcast, recording and streaming facilities. The first e-Congress to be held at the Corum - Palais des Congrès de Montpellier will be that of the Association Française de Psychiatrie Biologique et de Neuropsychopharmacologie at the end of 2016.