MICE

After a sharp drop in activity following the Covid-19 epidemic, Mice activity in Alsace is picking up again, driven by the dynamism of Strasbourg and the promotional organisation Meet in Alsace. "With 31 projects supported in September and 25 in mid-October, we're back to pre-crisis levels," points out Mireille Dartus, Director of the Strasbourg Convention Bureau....

What are the main advantages of the Valencia region as a MICE destination in general, and for the French market in particular? Juan Antonio Muñoz Ferrando - The Valencia Region is located on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, which has shaped its generally mild and sunny climate, its landscapes, its cuisine and its...

By inviting an audience of journalists to the Palais des Festivals last September, Cannes' MICE managers were keen to send out a clear message: the destination is ready for the return of events. What's more, the pause for reflection imposed by the crisis has enabled us to improve our offering...

The conference business will not escape the conquest of the West launched in Nice, as the dossier for the Parc des Expositions et des Congrès (Exhibition and Conference Centre) finally takes shape, replacing the Marché d'Intérêt National (MIN). "It's a project that's seen a lot of movement, especially over the last year, particularly in response to the major trends...

Following in the footsteps of these two major international players, Nice and Cannes, neighbouring destinations have no inferiority complex. Better still: if Pierre-Louis Roucaries is to be believed, the cohabitation between the different convention centres has been completely stabilised. Both Chairman of Provence Côte d'Azur Events (PCE) and Managing Director of...

As the gateway - and standard-bearer - for the Côte d'Azur's MICE sector, Nice has undergone a vast urban transformation over the last ten years, with the tramway network now serving the airport, and greenery taking over from the car. This transformation benefits locals and business tourists alike. And it is shifting the centre of gravity...

How do you see the MICE sector evolving after this long period? François Lafont - We can expect a certain rebound effect, a catching-up effect, at the beginning of 2022. However, it is difficult today to have a clear vision of the solutions that will be put in place in the future, of what the...

The quarterly results presented by the GL events group to some extent set the tone for the recovery in the MICE segment worldwide. A major player in the convention and corporate events sector, the French group posted growth of 19.2% over the first nine months of the year. Sales came to...

Mulhouse may not be the first choice for a conference or incentive trip in Alsace. The second most populous town in Alsace (110,000 inhabitants) lacks all the epinal images that the region generally conveys. Here, you'll be desperately looking for the pretty half-timbered houses adorned with masses of geraniums that...

Lausanne is ready for the MICE upturn, and is equipping itself with new assets to make the difference in a sector that is more competitive than ever. The Olympic capital is in the process of inaugurating its brand new conference centre. Accessible since this summer, the Millennium is gradually opening up to meeting and event organisers. A number of spaces have already been opened...

At a time when companies are looking for 'green' locations for their seminars and incentives, the Landes region believes it has a great card to play, thanks to its diversified MICE offering, its resolutely natural and sporting image, and its easy TGV access from Paris and Bordeaux to Dax...

Is the recovery on the horizon living up to your expectations? Patrick Bontinck - I'm fairly confident that business will pick up again. But it remains to be seen when the recovery will really kick in. Among other factors, we are dependent on the provisions laid down by the European Commission and the institutions that...

The Swedish town of Skellefteå has just under 35,000 inhabitants and is lost deep in Lapland. Not that it matters. The little town should soon be in the tourist spotlight, particularly for business travel and incentives. This small town has just inaugurated a structure that is...

Something has changed in Basel, as in many other European cities, with the Covid-19 crisis. The Swiss metropolis is renowned for its research and chemicals cluster, for the presence of major financial institutions such as the Bank for International Settlements, and for its trade fair and conference activities. The Swiss city hosts an average of...

Just a little more patience. It won't be long before Ireland returns to what it has always been: one of Europe's leading MICE destinations. From 22 October, in line with government measures, most of the restrictions linked to the pandemic will be lifted, starting with the limit on the number of...

After months without getting together, or getting some fresh air, companies are gradually getting back into the swing of getting together. Luxembourg is the ideal place to bring clients and staff together. Easily accessible by TGV from Paris, the country has everything you need in the way of natural areas and top-class event venues...

Just 60 km from the French border - and 37 minutes from the hub of Barcelona - the Costa Brava Girona is a magnet for French companies, who can reach their next MICE destination via excellent TGV links, by air or even by road. On arrival, participants will discover a wide range of accommodation solutions and...

For at least five years now, Karlsruhe has been living to the rhythm of the building sites that have invaded the city centre. The reason: the construction of new underground tracks for the tramway. The project is nearing completion, however, with the new lines scheduled for December 2021. But it's not just the tram that's causing a stir at the moment...

"For the past week I've been receiving messages from organisers, all pointing in the same direction: they're talking about postponements and marketing at a standstill. Exhibitors are putting their commitments on hold in the face of the uncertainty surrounding the health situation at the end of the summer": Frédéric Pitrou, general delegate...

Since its inauguration at the beginning of 1967, the sleek lines of the Versailles Palais des Congrès have interacted with the emblematic château just a stone's throw away, weaving a discreet link between the Trente Glorieuses and the Grand Siècle. The doyen of French convention centres, Versailles Palais des Congrès has undergone a major facelift. Closed for renovation in 2019, the...