My First live Event Since The Global Lockdown

I want to share with all you lovely Industry professionals my experience attending my first ‘Live’ Exhibition event of the Year! Hopefully this will display encouragement that things are moving in the right direction. This week I finally met up with Industry colleagues at ‘Heavent Cannes 2020’ the Exhibition event is all about French hospitality suppliers. It is a great event with a wide range of supporting suppliers for all your event needs in France.

The event was a 2 day trade fair with fully hosted hospitality, for the first time since the COVID Virus was announced earlier this year in March, it was great for us all to gather and share our experiences, our challenges and our visions for the ‘new’ future in the event world. There was a positive vibe in the air and people’s attitude was very optimistic, energised and all very happy to be face to face again with each other ‘of course with social distance’. There were a total of 700 attendees with mixed buyers and suppliers. To note, in France you are able to host events up to a maximum of 5000 attendees, good or not good that’s down to each individual’s opinion.

For me it was interesting to see how the hosts coped with the new challenges of delivering an event, overall I was impressed with the whole organisation, from the Exhibition Hall, with stands well distanced from each other, a one way system in place, not too many attendees to help manage the process, security to ensure masks and sanitiser in place, a welcome pack including a mini hand sanitiser and masks for the duration of the event, catering was the most challenging from my observation, though with the amazing weather offered in the Cote d’Azur it was easier to manage being all outside and with a well -spaced out layout, with lunches and evening dinners served on the beach restaurants. Yes! all seated dinners, no cocktail receptions to mingle with others or trays of Champagne and Canapes passing by whilst chatting, just not possible just yet people…….

Of course masks were compulsory at all times inside and on arrival to the venues for the lunches and dinners until seated, whilst moving, again masks compulsory.

The food was served either as a plated 3 course and in one instance which was pretty cool and original was in individual bio food bowls, cardboard individual cups, it really did work.

A BIG thank you to all the host partners included: Palais des Festival, JW Marriott Hotel , Hyatt Martinez Hotel, Eden Hotel, Barrier Majestic Hotel, Hostess supplied by CannesSmile, Transport by Flash Azur Vogages, Catering by Pavillion

Overall I came away feeling for the first time in a long time, positive, upbeat energised and seeing possibilities and opportunities on the horizon. I even had some strong leads for new clients/partnerships!

As I said there was no champagne cocktail receptions/parties though that didn’t stop people having a great time! And no hangover for me….. I must be getting old……..

I hope you enjoyed the read and it left you feeling positive for the Event Industry moving forward. We have to start somewhere and this was a great start!

Exciting News for Cannes! With the reduced business in the town venues have taken this time as an opportunity to make changes, improvements, renovations and refurbishments, here’s a little insight what is happening in Cannes!

Nice Airport – offer a new Business Centre, A new ‘Meet and Greet’ VIP service, and a brand new VIP Lounge

The Intercontinental Carlton Hotel is having a major refurbishment with a 3 year plan with a reduced amount of services completing in 2022.

Radisson Blu Hotel – a total revamp of the Roof Terrace to expand capacity with a brand new look.

Hyatt Martinez Hotel – With an extensive renovation throughout, the front garden terrace and bar has a complete fresh new art deco contemporary style with bedrooms to compliment, also coming in 2021 a brand new extensive Roof Pool and Spa!

JW Marriott – is going through a total refurbishment with a spend of over 60 million with completion aimed for early 2021.

The Famous Cannes Croisette has now been completed, with a fresh new look of Beach/ Restaurants the refurbishment is a more natural looking style with fresh beach colours, wooden structures and extended beaches, it truly is spectacular!

All in all Cannes has had a full makeover and is looking even more deluxe than ever before, with more to be added to the completion next year, truly stunning.  We at Right Riviera look forward to welcoming you in the near future to the French Riviera and are here to help with any of your needs: Hotel bookings, private transfers/transport, exclusive venues and those hidden gems only locals know about! Contact us on [email protected] for more information.