What are the major trends in convention centres?
Emmanuel Dupart - Demonstrating a certain diversity in the activities on offer and in the configuration of the venues is now part of the specification for convention centres. They have to be versatile, open to the city and its inhabitants. They are meant to be places for people to live, while remaining first and foremost a professional setting! On the other hand, we are seeing modular spaces, with auditoriums sometimes juxtaposed to accommodate several events at the same time. We are also seeing the emergence of "all-in-one" products. For example, Angers is planning to build a convention centre and hotel on the same site.
Have there been any changes in equipment?
E. D. - In addition to the 'sustainable development' dimension, which is now a feature of the majority of construction and renovation projects, the presence of new technologies has become essential. This varies according to the clientele required. For example, a venue aiming to host international events really needs to be at the top of its game in terms of the quality of its facilities.
What are the challenges facing French convention centres today?
E.D. - It's more a competition between regions than between sites! We need to energise our regions and towns, and be visible not just in France, but internationally too. Attracting convention-goers is part of a global strategy that mobilises local players. It's not enough to have a beautiful, high-performance convention centre: its surroundings have to be attractive, and the people who work there have to be real professionals. The notion of a brand is important, whether it's the "France" label or that of a region. Some regions, such as Lyon, have understood this very well and rely on their regional image to promote themselves and create appeal.
