Partnering with Raising Stones, we were delighted to host our fam in Monaco this year, where the focus was very much on sustainability in our industry, and the fantastic work Raising Stones is doing via their Act for Heritage Project for the region.
With it’s lens on CSR, Raising Stones is convinced that they can transform our industry quickly, but to expedite the process, their organization has created an immediate and deeply integrated initiative within the events sector. This initiative is designed to raise awareness and, more importantly, provide an immediate and unifying response to concretely advocate for causes and engage all stakeholders and consumers, and we loved hearing all about it. Talking about the initiative whilst exploring Monaco was very much our focus for this fam and hugely insightful. Our members have taken so much back to their roles, and we are still discussing it.
Our members were fortunate enough to stay at the Hermitage Hotel for both nights of the fam, and what a property.
Situated in the heart of Monte Carlo, the Hermitage Hotel symbolizes timeless elegance and refinement. This historic palace hotel boasts exquisite Belle Époque architecture, luxurious accommodations, and impeccable service. With its stunning meeting and event spaces, it is the perfect venue for conferences, seminars, and corporate retreats.
- Meeting and Event Spaces: The Hermitage Hotel offers a range of elegant event spaces, including the Salle Belle Époque, the Eiffel Room, and the Salle Belle Vue Terrace. Each offers breath-taking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Monaco skyline. For more information and reservations, visit the Hermitage Hotel website.
We have attached our full agenda for this fam, as there was just too much to cover in the blog post. Our highlights, though were:
Grimaldi Forum: Where Innovation Meets Inspiration
For larger-scale events and conventions, the Grimaldi Forum is Monaco’s premier congress and exhibition center. Located just steps away from the Mediterranean Sea, this state-of-the-art venue offers over 35,000 square meters of flexible event space, equipped with the latest technology and amenities.
- Meeting and Event Spaces: The Grimaldi Forum features a variety of versatile spaces, including auditoriums, conference rooms, and exhibition halls, capable of accommodating events of all sizes. For more information and bookings, visit the Grimaldi Forum website.
Where we ate!
Every event in Monaco wouldn’t be complete with experiencing its world-class culinary scene. From chic cafes to gourmet restaurants, Monaco offers an array of dining options to tantalize your taste buds, and on this fam, we were lucky enough to sample some amazing food – two of our venues were:
- Café de Paris: A legendary landmark in Monte Carlo, Café de Paris is synonymous with elegance and sophistication. With its iconic outdoor terrace overlooking the famous Casino Square, this historic brasserie is the perfect setting for a memorable dining experience. We were lucky enough to be situated in the semi-private dining room—our own space but still part of the very glamorous hustle and bustle of the restaurant.
- Buddha Bar: This stylish restaurant and lounge offers Asian-inspired cuisine and innovative cocktails in a chic and vibrant setting. I get the feeling this is THE place to be seen. Again, we were fortunate to have our own private dining room. The food here was amazing and is the perfect location for a private, ad-on dinner for your event.
We also explored Monte Carlo Casino
For a truly unforgettable event, consider hosting a soirée at the legendary Monte Carlo Casino. With its glamorous surroundings and rich history, the casino offers a variety of event spaces ideal for galas, receptions, and private parties.
- Types of Events: Whether you’re planning a corporate gala, product launch, or charity fundraiser, the Monte Carlo Casino offers a range of stunning venues, including the Salles des Amériques, the Salle Blanche, and the iconic Atrium.
As part of the fam, we spent a great deal of time in one of our hotel’s meeting rooms discussing CSR initiatives, what we are doing and what we should be doing when it comes to sustainability for our events and the locations in which we hold them. As part of our working sessions, we were lucky enough to hear from so many different speakers and, where fortunate to delve into apps and technology for being more accountable for the impact our events have on the environment.
One of our Featured Speakers: Celine Cousteau
Renowned filmmaker, explorer, and environmental advocate, Celine Cousteau is a captivating speaker who very much inspired us with her passion for conservation and storytelling. As the granddaughter of legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, Celine carries on his legacy by advocating for protecting our planet’s oceans and wildlife.
Celine would be an amazing speaker for your next event; she blew us away with her passion and we just loved all of our speakers – so much food for thought.
We had the best few days exploring Moncao for events (some of it on electric bikes as well). If you would like any further information on any of the properties we visited or on the Heritage Project, please let us know, and we can connect you.
Our member events are for members only, and we pride ourselves on being for corporate, in-house events managers only. If you want to join us, drop us a line.
