Testimonials: an inside view of a Monaco show

It's one of the major trade events held each year at Monacoand has been doing so for almost four decades. The show Luxury Packthe world's leading event for packaging creativity, attracted 10,300 visitors last October, including 52% international visitors from over 80 countries. This was an opportunity to take stock with participants of the realities of Monegasque MICE in the field, in the aisles of the Grimaldi Forum or by hotel swimming pools.

• Routing

This is not necessarily the destination's strong point, with a train journey time that may still discourage some, and an air alternative that weighs heavily on the carbon footprint. According to ADEME, the train has a carbon footprint 26 times smaller than the plane over this distance. " From Paris, it's a bit complicated "A guest who chose the air travel option was pragmatic. But the event organisers are doing their utmost to make the travel experience as smooth as possible. See integrating travel into the overall event experience... In partnership with Monaco, Luxe Pack offers a free shuttle service between Nice airport and the Grimaldi Forum. And since 2023, a Luxe Pack train in the show's colours has been running between the Gare de Lyon in Paris and the Gare de Lyon in Monaco. This privatised - and direct - TGV is available with a special ticket (90 euros one way), which includes breakfast, lunch and on-board entertainment: massages, tastings of local products, exclusive presentations and 6 hours of networking.

• The convention centre Grimaldi Forum

Monaco boasts a number of prestigious event venues. But it is - more than ever - the Grimaldi Forum which crystallises the MICE sector in the Principality. " The Grimaldi Forum convention centre is very pleasant because it's very bright, with clearly differentiated areas. And the extension they are inaugurating in January will enable the stands to be reorganised and showcased more effectively. The exhibition was beginning to feel a little cramped in the previous version of the building, so the extension is very welcome. "said one participant.

• Hotels in cocktail format

" The exhibitors' evening organised at Le Méridien, around the swimming pool, offered a very pleasant setting. "says one participant. " This year, the Formes de Luxe Awards cocktail party was held at the Fairmont Monte Carlo. The hotel staff really looked after everything. They made sure that the event ran smoothly and adapted to requests. The F&B offer was very high quality, and they adjusted the venues so that the dimensions were adapted to the format, neither too large nor too small. And both the Fairmont and the Méridien are perfectly placed in relation to the Grimaldi Forum. In another category, the Novotel is also very high quality." .

• The destination, the atmosphere

" Monaco is a very festive destination, with a very luxury-oriented positioning that naturally corresponds to the target audience of the Luxe Pack trade show. and the services often live up to expectations" said one participant. He continued: " The show is very intense, over three days. People are always happy to meet up at the various cocktail parties, and there's lots of entertainment in the evenings. The event is very festive and luxurious, in sublime locations. The networking is permanent, which is good, even if it is tiring to be networking from 9.30am to midnight! But the setting is superb, and the density of the destination means that you can attend several events on the same evening, as everything is grouped together on the corniche - you just go from one hotel to another." .