Thanks to its talented and service-focused event industry professional network, France has a proven track record of hosting successful events. Determined to continue to offer improving services and support to international event organizers, the destination doesn’t take such notoriety for granted and keep working on its structuration to renew and adapt its offer to the international standards.
With 71 innovation clusters and/or centers of excellence, France is also considered a top MICE destination thanks to its economical, industrial and technological dynamism. With such dynamism and modernity, France intends to remain one of the top MICE destinations.
WELL-SUPPORTED ECONOMICAL, INDUSTRIAL AND TECH DYNAMISM
Because startups support various innovations sectors such as health technologies (medtech), green technologies (cleantech), biotechnologies (biotech) and finance (fintech) and because they also explore new products and services, the successful ones quickly become international companies. De facto, in 2013, in order to help their growth, to generate economical value and to create new jobs, the French government decided to launch the French Tech Initiative. This initiative led to the opening of the Station F campus in 2017.
The French Tech Initiative
The French Tech is a collective and an open brand that is involved with the French start-up ecosystem. It refers to anyone working for French start-ups both in France and abroad (entrepreneurs, investors, engineers, designers, developers, large groups, associations, media, public operators, research institutes…) and it is committed to their growth and international influence.
The French Tech main goal is to build a solid international communication and marketing system that grows the image of France and its start-ups with VC, tech & economical media, tech opinion leaders and international business contractors.
La station F
On site, The French Tech is accessible to everyone thanks to a dedicated 10,700 sq.ft space located in the Share zone on what is called STATION F.
Initiated by the French businessman Xavier Niel, the STATION F is the world’s largest startup campus, opened in Paris in 2017. It gathers an entire entrepreneurial ecosystem under one roof.
EVOLVING INFRASTRUCTURES
Accommodation
The Hotel industry offers more than 18,000 hotels that adopted the new classification system designed in order to attract the international market.
While the new ranking system led By Atout France was implemented in 2010, the French hotel industry worked to increase its offer. This reform allowed them to give a new dynamic to their establishment. It also allowed them to be more competitive and give their customers benefits that are in line with the current consumer expectations and international hotel nomenclature.
A "new hotel generation offer” based on a 1 to 5 stars ranging classification was therefore created.
Find out about all the new hotels opening in France in 2018, here
To learn more about accommodation in France, click here
Venues
* Hotels
Even though due to their diverse accommodation capacity hotels remain main key players in the meeting industry, they are equally important when it comes to their meetings, seminars and other event offers. Thus there is no brand new or rehabilitated hotel that is not yet equipped with meeting rooms and spaces for group events.
With numerous dedicated and customized international standards services, large international chains such as Carlson Rezidor, InterContinental or Accor (particularly with its Pullman brand), are now clearly positioned on the MICE segment.
* Convention Centers
With a hundred or so dedicated sites, commonly known as centers or convention centers, there is a large and structured offer throughout France. Rehabilitated and modernized in order to meet international standards such as ISO Label, further centers came out of nowhere. For example ex-nihilo infrastructures are now facing technological challenges in order to meet organizers’ increasing specific expectations – especially in terms of connectivity or environment (HEQ standards).
The ability to place the venue into the city life is a new trend. This makes it a much more welcoming place with benefits and services such as improving the events content, giving access to local elected officials, speakers and/or specialists, improving the public transportation flows, etc. As congress and trade fair activities are increasingly more related, exhibition parks are often close to convention centers. Otherwise municipalities optimize the visitors flow with well-organized public transportation connections. To be even more convenient to both organizers and agencies, it is often the same operators who manages both facilities.
* Leisure Parks
French leisure parks such as Disneyland Paris, Asterix, Futuroscope, Puy du Fou (remove” ….”) now welcome MICE groups with their diversity of meeting spaces and accommodation. They can also organize tailor-made and personalized events with renewed attractions and shows that connect incentive and business affairs.
A good example of a complete leisure park global offer is Disney Business solution
* Atypical Locations
France is the most visited country in the world and has 41 properties designated UNESCO Worlds heritage sites and more than 40 000 monuments, castles, abbeys, manors, churches and 8 000 museums. With such heritage and history, the country offers a long and varied list of unique and exceptional venues that are able to welcome business clients.
These inspirational venues combine modern design and services with art and history.
AN EASY GOING DESTINATION…
Welcome Packs
Many big cities have invested into dedicated promotion tools such as welcome packs for MICE destinations. In Paris, for example, you can now find a complete information, orientation and transportation device that can be used by international visitors and exhibitors.
A country on the Cutting Edge of Technology
France has been developing its €20 billion high-speed internet plan since 2013. The plan is to cover the entire country before 2022.
Even though high speed is yet to be deployed everywhere, territories with the weakest connection were targeted first. This way the country is now covered everywhere, even if at a less efficient speed in certain areas.
… ALSO EASY TO GO TO
Its 11 international airports and its 1,242 miles of highspeed railway tracks make France a destination of choice for many international clients.
Nowhere else in Europe can you find quick and easy access to neighboring countries, key destinations being located only a few hours away.
