Interview: Gersende de Sabran-Pontevès, Events Director, Pierre Cardin company

What are the advantages of l'espace Cardin?

Gersende de Sabran-Pontevès - L'Espace Cardin is first and foremost a very central location in Paris, easily accessible by public transport and benefiting from the proximity of the Concorde car park. It also offers neutral spaces that customers can design and personalise as they wish. The only constraints are technical. Several events can be held simultaneously without the guests crossing paths. Incidentally, it's Mr Cardin himself who signs every contract, keeping a close eye on our business, even though we've never been turned down. He appreciates that the Espace is alive and kicking, and doesn't hesitate to drop in from time to time to say a few words. Because this is his home!

Who usually uses this venue?

G. S.-P. - L'Espace hosts a lot of events, with some agencies hiring out the entire space. We can also use the Maxim's restaurant [which also belongs to Pierre Cardin] for a cocktail reception and dance party as an extension of a trade show or conference taking place here. The two sites are only a few minutes' walk away. We also get requests for product launches, including from car manufacturers who can display several cars in the large showroom. We didn't suffer from the crisis in 2009 because our rates are fair: 26,000 euros excluding VAT per day for the hire of all the spaces. Our vision is six months ahead, with bookings made three to a year in advance; and 20% events are recurrent.