Conferences program

This summer, Paris, France and event professionals were at the heart of an exceptional adventure as they hosted the world's most talked-about sporting event. This monumental event was recognised by the vast majority of observers as having pushed back the boundaries of organisation and creativity, marking a turning point in the way large-scale events are conceived and managed. How does the content of this colossal event redefine the standards of event organisation? How can this event inspire future corporate and public event projects?

In a world where impact, engagement and experience have become the watchwords, communications are evolving at breakneck speed. Events, once seen as a secondary component, now seem to be a central pillar of any relevant and effective communication and management strategy. Will this trend continue to grow in the years to come? What are the challenges facing the events industry in the future? What changes are professionals expected to make?

The events industry has undergone significant change in recent years, and creative professionals (creative directors, copywriters, scenographers, designers, etc.) are having to juggle new challenges: diversification of formats - hybrid or virtual events, immersive experiences, etc. - new technologies, ecological footprint, cost optimisation, etc. Can or should we be more creative when constraints are increasing? Are decision-makers still as sensitive to originality, ideas (with a capital I) and the exceptional? Have customer expectations of creative projects changed? What are tomorrow's trends?

Set design plays an essential role in the success of an event... The challenges are increasingly numerous: immersing participants, consistency with the brand's identity, optimising space, innovation and creativity... How do you create captivating environments? How do we shape the future of event scenography? Can it leave a lasting impression on participants?

On Friday 26 July 2024, the Seine and its quays were transformed into spectacular artistic stages, and then the Champ de Mars, the Eiffel Tower and the Jardin des Tuileries were set ablaze. In the end, the consensus was unanimous: whether you were in front of your TV or on site, the overwhelming majority of observers agreed that they had witnessed an incredible event. Its designers and producers will explain the bold choices they made, which raised a host of creative, logistical and technical challenges. They will look back at the genesis of this unique event, behind the scenes of its creation and production, and also at the lessons they have drawn from this experience for the future of the sector.

Employee well-being and team cohesion have become absolute priorities since the crisis. Seminars are emerging as a winning solution. But some people, particularly the younger generation, are calling seminars, team-building and other team-building events into question. Why can team-building sometimes be seen as superficial, irrelevant or even stressful? Can a change of environment still stimulate creativity to the same extent, transform organisations and boost motivation? How should the offer adapt to the challenges of meaning, eco-responsibility and positive impact?

Armed with giant Lego bricks and iPads, plunge into the grandiose world of Ancient Egypt in this pharaonic construction game! Skill, brains and elbow grease combine to bring a new Wonder of the World to life.

With social networks dominating, influencers are becoming key players in the events industry. More and more events are being organised for them. Because their ability to mobilise large, engaged audiences is transforming the way events are designed, promoted and experienced. How can the new digital celebrities be brought together? With what event codes? What can we really expect from them?

Faced with the urgency of climate change, the industry is committed to a more sustainable future. This conference, led by 3 experts from 2FPCO-La Fédération, will reveal how ‘eco-responsible’ media objects can become powerful levers for events with a controlled impact. Discover practical tools, the criteria for choosing objects that are in line with your CSR values, and the direct benefits for companies that adopt these approaches. A unique opportunity to rethink your practices while strengthening your brand's commitment.

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It's now agreed that artificial intelligence (AI) is radically transforming the events industry, opening up new opportunities and improving efficiency at a variety of levels. But who is really using AI today? With what effects and what results? Are customers, principals and other event organisers aware of these uses? What are the impacts on jobs, skills and costs? We will try to give concrete examples of use, while showing the results and implications.

Often pioneering innovation in design, technology and customer experience, leisure parks are immersive, dynamic places of entertainment. How do leisure parks inspire the design and production of events? How do these two worlds complement each other to offer unforgettable experiences to their respective audiences?

In a rapidly changing events sector, young freelance professionals share their innovative vision, their experiences and the trends they believe will redefine the future of event organisation. An opportunity to explore tomorrow's prospects through the prism of these young entrepreneurs who are already shaping the future of the events industry.

In half an hour we'll look at eco-design for events, from the choice of venue to the choice of team-building activity.
The second half-hour will be devoted to a workshop on plant propagation.

Music has always influenced the art of event management, from the jingle to the band that livens up the evening. Much more than just background music, it transforms the atmosphere, reinforces branding and creates memorable experiences. How can music be used as a strategic lever in the design and production of successful events? How do you choose artists, titles and/or extracts? What are the best practices and technological innovations?

FISE Montpellier, recognised as the world's largest gathering of urban sports, reached a new dimension in 2024, thanks in particular to the impact of the Olympic Games. With over 300,000 admissions in five days, the 2024 edition offered a unique experience across 15 disciplines, 7 world cups and 50 competitions in 9 sports areas.
Hervé André-Benoit, founder of FISE, will look back at the history of this emblematic event, which began nearly 30 years ago, and discuss the challenges faced, in particular those linked to the sustainability of the economic model in an ever-changing sporting context. Accompanied by Florian Tixier and Julien Istace (Nielsen Sports), he will present the results of the study carried out by Nielsen Sports, the world leader in research and consultancy dedicated to sport and entertainment. Together, they will review this detailed analysis, which presents the overall impact of FISE 2024 in three main areas: visitor engagement, economic spin-offs and the festival's media impact.

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Increasingly expensive line-ups, rising production costs, heightened competition, declining sponsorship support, environmental issues, changing audience expectations, soaring security costs, complicated relations with local authorities... The challenges are piling up for festival organisers. Can the festival model be renewed? What opportunities are there for transformation and innovation? How can we prosper in a changing cultural and events landscape? 

Organisers of events, trade fairs and festivals, and their participants, are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of these events, and have a duty to make them more sustainable. This transition towards greater respect for the planet is bringing about positive changes, but how are organisers integrating CSR issues into the organisation of their events?

In the current economic climate, every item of expenditure often has to be scrutinised. The question of event costs is therefore more relevant than ever. Let's discuss together the perception of these event costs, how to optimise budgets, the real value of a successful event... We'll look at the levers for maximising return on investment while keeping expenditure under control and how, if possible, to do more with less...

*An open session is a round-table format where anyone can speak.

SPORSORA, the leading organisation for thinking about and influencing the development of the sports economy, is organising the third edition of the Observatoire des Grands Evénements Sportifs Internationaux (GESI) on 16 November in partnership with HEAVENT PARIS. With the mission of informing the entire sports industry sector, this Observatory is a great opportunity to hear from representatives of the various major past or future sports events organised on French territory. Sharing best practices, highlighting French expertise in the organisation and activation of major sporting events and identifying business opportunities arising from these events are the objectives of the Observatoire des GESI organised by SPORSORA 

After two years of crisis, two years of unexpected and exceptional recovery, marked by the events surrounding sport and all its consequences, the events industry is in the throes of change. Business expectations remain high. How can we convince them to continue to opt for events, and even to devote more resources to them? How can we demonstrate that the ROI of events is more relevant than that of other communication or management tools? How can we rethink our promotional approach to capture the attention of decision-makers? Together, let's explore new narrative approaches to win over corporate clients.

*An open session is a round-table format where anyone can speak.

« You can laugh at anything, but not at everyone » , said Pierre Desproges. Although humour has virtues in terms of commitment, strengthening team cohesion or corporate culture, reducing tension, etc., especially during periods of anxiety, it remains subjective and what may be funny for one person may not be for another. Can we say everything under the guise of humour, including important messages? How can we take the risk of humour? How far should it be used in events?