Interview: Paris Convention Bureau Responds to Post-Attack Challenges
Photo Credit: The Paris Convention Bureau is flying in meeting planners to show the normalcy of daily life in the French capital. Atout France
Skift Take
Conference organizers are reaching out to the Paris Convention Bureau more than in the past few months, but the numbers are still significantly below 2015.
In any other year, France's new business events video would elicit a sense of wonder at the sumptuous scenes spreading from the lavender fields of Luberon to the beaches of Deauville.
Except, France is still officially under a state of emergency following the November terrorism attacks, for the first time since 1961, and discussions are underway to extend that through July for the Tour de France bike race.
The new meetings video is narrated in French by celebrity chef Guy Savoy, with subtitles expressing how the culture of France inspires his creativity and that of visiting conference attendees. While there's little in the video showing anything new in terms of meetings infrastructure, industry sector expertise, or technology innovation, the power is in the ephemeral visuals and Savoy's mien viscerally emphasizing all that is France.
Even someone who's traveled to France often to attend conferences will feel a tug back to the country after watching scenes like those in
