Incentives and meetings

Business tourism professionals are taking advantage of the upturn in corporate events to highlight the advantages of the Landes in terms of accessibility, MICE facilities, natural areas for a variety of activities, culture and gastronomy, not forgetting the wellness experience in Dax.

Patrick Bontinck, CEO of Visit Brussels, talks about the conditions for recovery, in particular the new opportunities created by hybrid meetings, as well as upcoming projects in Brussels for the MICE sector.

The town of Skellefteå lies deep in Swedish Lapland. And yet, it is set to rapidly gain notoriety in the world of events and congresses. It is now home to the tallest wooden skyscraper, which includes a hotel, a theatre, a conference centre, a museum and an art gallery. Is this the birth of the perfect green MICE destination?

From 22 October this year, Ireland will be reopening its doors to seminars, incentives and corporate events. It's the perfect opportunity to (re)discover Ireland's many attractions.

Wine cellars, prestigious locations, team-building opportunities galore: the Moselle valley, cradled by gentle landscapes, is one of the best destinations for seminars and incentives.

Bird Office has teamed up with the GoodPlanet Foundation to create the very first carbon calculator for MICE organisers. At the same time, they can offset the environmental impact of their event.

With the Studio Oxygène-Technologie XR installed at the Palais des Congrès in Paris Saclay, Châteauform' is using cutting-edge technology to create ultra-dynamic digital events.

High mountains or seaside: why choose? The Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees are playing the proximity and complementarity card to win over event organisers. The strength of this destination is that it combines a wide range of activities and landscapes in a single trip, while allowing plenty of time to work in specially adapted facilities.

The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes has just inaugurated a brand new facility dedicated to hybrid events: the Hi5 studio.

With a view over an urban farm, La Serre, the new space proposed by Viparis on the roof of Hall 6 at Porte de Versailles, is bringing green to Parisian events.

With 470 "physical" trade fairs cancelled between March 2020 and December 2021, Paris Region trade fairs and conferences have borne the full brunt of the consequences of the pandemic, according to a study by the CCIP.

Takeover, competition, experience: Pablo Nakhle Cerruti, Managing Director of Viparis, talks about the near future of trade fairs and congresses in Paris, as well as more distant horizons with the changes brought about by the current crisis.

Arnaud Feucherolles, manager of the Domaine de Maffliers, talks about the resumption of the seminar business and presents the advantages of Demeures de Campagne's "au grand vert" establishments.

Just 30 km from Paris, Royaumont Abbey, a prestigious Gothic-style architectural complex, aims to meet the growing demand among companies for 'green' venues in which to hold their events. With its 10 meeting rooms, five reception areas, hotel and 7 hectares of parkland, Royaumont has the advantage of being a place out of time, conducive to both reflection and activity.

Recent concerns about the rapid circulation of variant delta seem to be bringing the recovery of the events sector to a halt. Organisers are adopting a cautious approach. To avoid another damaging wave, Bruno Le Maire is urging the French people to be vaccinated and to show a sense of responsibility.

With its newly refurbished convention centre, Versailles aims to make the most of its appeal as a business tourism destination, which is still under-exploited given the city's global reputation.

Venice wants to reposition its tourism in a more upmarket segment. And MICE activity is an integral part of this. The city therefore wants to make the 'barrier' island of Lido even more attractive to congress and conference organisers.

The end of the crisis and an upturn in business, new corporate habits, hybrid meetings and development: Benjamin Abittan, Deputy Managing Director of Châteauform', takes a look back at the latest news from his group.

UNIMEV's annual event, See You There, was an opportunity for events professionals to discuss the difficulties facing the industry and the government's support for its recovery. A recovery in which digital technology, sustainable development and the pooling of energies will play a major role.

VivaTech 2021, held from 16 to 19 June, used a hybrid format to explore the smartcity and mobility of tomorrow, while at the same time revitalising the event machine after months of paralysis.