How would you sum up 2023?
Odile Delannoy - 2023 was a very good vintage for our 73 members, including 64 convention centres and offices in France. Business remained strong throughout the year, including December. As a result, their results exceeded 2022. Each structure benefited from a wide range of activities, including conferences, trade and consumer shows, shows, seminars, gala evenings, etc. All the targets worked and contributed to the success of the past year.
What special features were observed?
Odile Delannoy - We noted a return from face-to-face events. The Covid parenthesis with remote or hybrid operations is closed. Of course, videoconferencing is an added bonus and helps to increase the audience for congresses and conferences, but there are a real need to see each other physicallyexchange and feel the responsiveness of the room. Attendance at trade and consumer shows is also back to normal, and is even excellent.
Weren't there any particular difficulties in 2023?
Odile Delannoy - Yes, they are. Convention centres were initially affected by theincrease in costs linked to the rise in inflation and energy prices since the beginning of the year. war in Ukraine. This has led to price adjustments for future contracts and even those already signed where possible. The other solution is to set up a temporary contributionThis will take some time until the surge in energy prices subsides. If the Rugby World Cup was a great success in terms of leisure attendance, but the provincial towns that hosted the matches often saw their convention centres unused during these periods as the accommodation was full by fans of the oval ball. Finally, as was the case in 2022, our service providers, restaurateurs, caterers, audiovisual and security companies had a hard time finding staff. The issue of ADSs, the security officerswill be even more prevalent in 2024The fear is that these staff in the provinces will be mobilised in Paris to secure the Olympic venues and ensure that the Games run smoothly.
How are you approaching 2024?
Odile Delannoy - We are hoping for a new An excellent year for MICE with a knock-on effect linked to the Olympic Games for a number of cities in general and venues in particular. The mobilisation of structures before and during the Olympic Games in the capital also had a knock-on effect. postponement of certain conferences and events to regional cities. In addition, there will be requests for last minute. Looking further ahead, a number of convention centres have already signed up for 2025, 2026 and even 2027, as anticipation remains high in this segment. This bodes well for the future. The MICE sector is thus maintaining the boom seen since 2022.
What are the priorities for your members?
Odile Delannoy - Rising energy costs have prompted many organisations to undertake insulation work and reduce carbon emissions. Sustainable development is now at the heart of our concerns. Many of our members are obviously committed to a sustainable development approach. CSR some of which are planning to obtain ISO 20121 certification. This represents a major financial and human commitment. The challenge is also to achieve a more even spread of activity over the year in order to better manage periods of high demand and further increase site occupancy.
What are Coesio's plans for 2024?
Odile Delannoy - Coesio has in its DNA the exchange of good practice andexpertise between its members. We organise three sales events a year to put our members in touch with event organisers. Our database will be redeveloped this year and even better qualified. We will also be focusing on the French-speaking part of the network to increase the number of members outside our borders and access to more French-speaking international conferences. Finally, Coesio will be the main funder, alongside Unimev and Atout France, of a MICE spinoff indicator generated by our convention centres and halls. Scheduled for 1st half-year 2024, it will provide a simple way of calculating the economic spin-offs, which are particularly important for destinations. New facilities are also expected in Chartres, Nîmes or Nice in the near future.
