1. Design for the city, not just the square metres

In Cannes, your space is never just your space. It exist on the Croisette, between the Paleis, hotel terraces, beach clubs and 12,000 delegates trying to make it to their next meeting. “The best builds work with the rhythm of the city,” says Beatrice. “They catch people on the way in, give them a reason to pause, and let them leave with something worth remembering.” Before you fall in love with the floorplan, zoom out and ask yourself whether people can understand the idea in five seconds — and whether there’s a reason to stay for five minutes. That’s the test.

From A to B on the Croisette
Most of the action sits along a two-kilometre stretch of the Croisette, so walking is fine, until it isn’t. Uber operates in Cannes, and electric scooters are available through local apps. For Nice airport, Monaco or dinner in the hills, book a car in advance. Availability disappears fast once the week begins.

2. Build for short attention spans and long days

People don’t arrive at your space with a calm mind and an empty agenda. They’re scanning badges, looking for shade and trying to remember where their next meeting is. “One strong idea, built in layers, wins over ten clever ideas fighting for attention,” Beatrice says. Think in three layers:

• What people understand from a distance;
• What they can touch or taste or join;
• What gives your team something to build a proper conversation around.

The best spaces in Cannes aren’t always the biggest. They’re the clearest.

Local reset
By Wednesday afternoon, even the most enthusiastic delegates are running on fumes. The Vieux-Port and the Le Suquet hill (five-minute walk, excellent view, zero badge required) do the job. For a proper lunch that isn’t festival food, Beatrice recommends heading to the Marché Forville area, the restaurants around the covered market are a world away from the Croisette rush.

3. Treat logistics as part of the creative idea

In Cannes, the real magic often happens before the build: in the delivery windows, the technical drawings, the approvals, the backup materials and the person who knows which route the truck should take. “One project needed a premium finish but had a tight installation window,” Beatrice recalls. “By producing key elements locally and pre-assembling before arrival, we kept the final installation focused on detailing instead of problem-solving.” A strong build plan knows what can be produced locally, what needs to ship, and what happens when something is delayed. This is not the boring part. This is the part that protects the creative idea.

Crew catering tip:
Skip the overpriced festival options. The boulangeries around the Marché Forville do excellent sandwiches and can handle larger orders if you call ahead. Your crew will thank you.

4. Make your space work beyond hospitality

Your space can do more than host coffee and conversations. Think of it as a small content engine: short interviews, client quotes, a micro-session, a backdrop for social posts, a product demo on camera.

The best Cannes spaces work twice: once during the festival, and once after it. A five-day presence can easily become:

• a month of LinkedIn content
• a client recap film
• internal thought leadership
• sales follow-up material
• proof for next year’s concept

Not every wall needs a logo. Some walls need good light, good sound and a reason for people to say something interesting.

5. Work with a local partner

Cannes is not a large city absorbing a large event. It’s a town of 75,000 people absorbing 12,000 delegates plus their entourages, gear and catering requirements. The supply side taps out fast and so does local knowledge. “We know which venues have access issues, which suppliers are reliable under pressure, and which shortcuts save time,” says Beatrice.

A local partner doesn’t just reduce transport costs and last-minute pressure. They give you a direct line to the venue, the city and the crew and a build that feels like it belongs there rather than one that was shipped in and hoped for the best.

One more thing: start earlier than you think. No, even earlier.

Here's the uncomfortable truth: the best venues along the Croisette are often locked in 10 to 12 months before the festival. By the time most agencies finish their internal approvals, the good spots are gone. The same goes for AV crews, construction teams, furniture rental and catering. If you’re reading this the week before Cannes wondering if you can still pull something off... Yes, probably, with the right local partner. But next year, start in September.

Got questions about building at Cannes in 2027? Ask Marcel. He'll answer honestly. Even if the answer is "you should have called us six months ago."