It’s a stat that says it all. When associations organize a conference in Paris, there is usually a 20 per cent increase in the attendance. But that doesn’t mean the French capital – which is ‘naturally’ attractive in a way – just sits there and rests on its laurels. In fact, Paris Convention & Visitors Bureau just launched two Welcome Charter that have been designed to make any event run even more smoothly. Corinne Menegaux, Managing Director, tells Boardroom all about it.

Words Remi Deve

This is a competitive world, especially when it comes to business events. Despite geopolitical uncertainties that are looming upon us, destinations have to differentiate themselves from each other and prove that they can deliver.

Medical Congresses in Paris

In Paris, medical conferences accounted for 41% of the total number of congresses organized in 2021, with 136 events. The healthcare sector always ranks first when it comes to hosting conferences in the French capital. In 2021, it attracted 149,760 participants, i.e. 28% of total delegates, the lowest share since 2018. Half of the medical congresses organized in Paris had more than 500 participants, and November was the busiest month, with 39 meetings and 65,453 participants.

Rigorous criteria

Paris is no exception. If its historical attraction has been undisputed, it has to stay on top of its game and demonstrate its innate sense of hospitality every step of the way. In that regard, the Paris Convention & Visitors Bureau, together with all the stakeholders operating in the Paris tourism sector, signed two hosting charters which set out rigorous criteria designed to enable easier business traveller pathway.

Menegaux adds that the ultimate good is to provide an event experience that is augmented, sustainable and innovative. “Augmented because we can help technologically make your event more visible on the world stage, sustainable in the broadest sense of the term because sustainability lies at the core of our strategy and not only from an environment perspective, and innovative for we make it easy to change your mindset about how you usually do things,” she says.

Impact & beyond

To take one step even further, the Paris Convention & Visitors Bureau is currently developing an impact calculation tool, scheduled to be launched in spring 2023. It will concretely measure the economic, social and environmental benefits of the events taking place in the French capital.

All this, in addition to a renewed confidence in world that sees business events as an ideal platform for knowledge transfer, will definitely breathe life into the French capital’s sectors of excellence, including innovation, design / fashion, science, culture, gastronomy and sport. As it is preparing itself for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Paris has never been so ready to embrace association conferences that want to make a difference.