thebid An Association Meetings International special supplement

thebid An Association Meetings International special supplement

STAND ONLYLYON VISIT US AT IMEX There s no place like Eurexpo Lyon when it comes to event hosting. Jump Affaires Publiques - Crédit photo : Getty images, Francis Mainard. AVAILABLE SOON A 2,400 SEAT AUDITORIUM Why settle for anything less? +33(0)4 72 22 33 44 www.eurexpo.com The Eurexpo Lyon Convention and Exhibition Centre provides 110,000m² of floor space for trade shows, congresses a nd e v e nt s, b o a s t i ng 1 2 exhibition halls, an independent Convention area and 21 meeting rooms. Eurexpo caters to your every need, providing the perfect venue for any successful event. Make sure Eurexpo Lyon is on your list-why settle for anything less?

welcome ONLYLYON Gérard Collomb, Senator Mayor of Lyon, welcomes international association events to his dynamic city Lyon is a city facing the future with many ambitious projects The city of Lyon has reached a turning point in its development strategy targeting large association industry events. The increasing number of large international events hosted in the city together with the constant rise in international business travellers is undoubtedly due to Lyon s visitor appeal. Indeed, Unesco World heritage-listed Lyon, at the heart of the Rhone Alpes region and at the crossroads of Europe, is recognised as being one of the most highly regarded destinations in terms of hospitality and professionalism dedicated to the running and organisation of large scale events. Lyon is a dynamic city that is among the most beautiful and attractive cities in Europe. Lyon has many assets: its Cité Internationale district and its Convention Centre, designed by Renzo Piano; its modern infrastructure; its high quality hotel offer; its excellent accessibility and transport facilities; its enterprising spirit; its creativity; the beauty of its urban and natural areas; its cultural, intellectual and social variety - all contribute to the success of your events in Lyon. Not only will event organisers find a city transformed, but a city facing the future with many ambitious projects including a new amphitheatre planned to open at Eurexpo exhibitions hall, able to seat up to 4,000 persons. There is a constantly growing accommodation offer with many new hotels either planned or under construction in the city centre, Part-Dieu and the Confluence districts. There is also the major urban renovation of the Confluence district and along the Rhone river banks. The city and all those involved in tourism will do their utmost to guarantee the warmest welcome to all visitors. Welcome to Lyon! Gérard Collomb, Senator Mayor of Lyon l y o n t h e b i d ( III )

A world-cla Lyon has everything an international association organiser could possibly want, writes Sally Trelford, together with a range of stylish French qualities that help to make it somewhere truly special. It deserves to become better known on the world stage Lyon epitomises everything that visitors understand France does so well. It is a very attractive city with two rivers and large green parks. Its beautifully-preserved Renaissance district has been accredited as a UNESCO World Heritage site yet its modern architecture is equally striking. And it is famous even within France for its gastronomy. This is really something special, says Valerie Ducaud, director of the Lyon Convention Bureau. We have great quality but it is not too pricey. Our caterers are excellent and it is amazing what we can offer within budget. Surrounded by the Beaujolais wine districts, there are many evocative chateaux not far from the city centre in which to indulge in wine tastings and memorable gala dinners or lunches while admiring the vineyards and landscaped gardens. The Alps can be seen along the horizon. But Lyon is also a bustling business city with large universities ensuring there is plenty of culture and nightlife on offer as well. Lyon attracts many medical and bio-technology events because of their links with the hospitals and universities. In fact Lyon was ranked number two in France for association congresses by the UIA in 2008. All of this makes Lyon a worthy destination in its own right and delegates will certainly wish to extend their stay even if it s just for a weekend. But Lyon offers much more, particularly for international associations. It is situated at the heart of Europe so it is very easy to get to. The hotel selection is wide ranging and of good quality 15,000 rooms in all (see page viii). And its convention facilities rival anything available elsewhere in Europe (see page vi). Only in Lyon! Lyon Convention Bureau The aim of the Lyon Convention Bureau is to help organisers plan their projects from start to finish. They can offer free and impartial advice each step of the way. Some of the services on offer include: 1 Provide information on the city 2 Draw up specifications for each event 3 Prepare and send out a call for tender to the service providers who are members of the Bureau 4 Put organisers in touch with related stakeholders and local businesses 5 Organise and fund site inspections 6 Present and support bids put before decision-making committees { IV } l y o n t h e b i d

INTRODUCTION Paris Geneva Lyon Turin ss city Barcelona Marseille For congresses of more than 1,500 participants, the City of Lyon offers the ONLY LYON Events package. This includes the following services: + Free use of the City Hall s prestigious rooms for an evening reception for example a welcome reception or gala dinner + Free public transport passes for buses, underground and tramways for all participants (value: 2 per day per person) + Higher frequencies at key stops throughout the public transport system + Free event signage and bunting on the Quai Charles de Gaulle (Convention Centre) and on the main bridges of the city + Dedicated Tourist Office booth at the event location + Documentation pack on site for attendees + Free Shopping Pass for participants offering discounts in partner establishments. subject to conditions Contacts Lyon Convention Bureau www.lyon-france.com lyoncvb@lyon-france.com Valerie Ducaud Director vducaud@lyon-france.com Edmund Hazlewood Development manager UK/USA/Canada ehazlewood@lyon-france.com Eric Bancilhon Development manager France/Switzerland/ Spain/ Italy/Asia ebancilhon@lyon-france.com Marie-Catherine Vidal Development manager Belgium/Luxembourg/ Netherlands/Germany/ Austria/Scandinavia mcvidal@lyon-france.com Getting to Lyon The Saint Exupery airport, 25km from the city centre, offers flights to more than 100 destinations worldwide including lowcost carriers. A new Rhonexpress tramway will open this summer and link the airport with the city centre Part-Dieu station in 30 minutes, with departures every 15 minutes at peak times. Lyon is at the heart of the European rail network and offers three stations, including the airport, with TGV high-speed trains. 23 return journeys a day connect to Paris in less than two hours and 31 to Marseille in one hour and 40 minutes. Lyon is also at the centre of a 1,000km motorway network. Geneva is 1.5 hours away and the Alps just two hours; Turin and Marseille approx three hours, Paris four and Barcelona six. l y o n t h e b i d ( V )

Discover the The Lyon Convention Centre is one of the city s gems but it is just one of many fantastic facilities available for large events Lyon Convention Centre France s most recent convention centre, the Lyon Convention Centre complex, was completed in 2006 and deserves to be better known internationally. When it is described by the city as its jewel in the crown, for once this is no exaggeration. An extraordinary and beautiful building designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, it is situated between the River Rhone and the Tete d Or Park. Located in the Cité Internationale district, it is 25 minutes from the airport and 12 minutes by a new trolleybus service from the TGV high-speed railway station. The complex offers almost a kilometre of bold facades and covers nearly 50 acres. With a strong modern look and clean lines, it is a light, airy, pleasant place to be. In fact, it is stunning. With more than 25,000 sqm of space, it has a magnificent 3,000-seater semi-circular Amphitheatre, which opens on to the stage and wings. It also has two smaller amphitheatres seating 300 and 900 plus six forums with a total exhibition area of 8,400 sqm and 26 meeting rooms. The Cité Internationale has always had sustainable development at its core and the emphasis has been on renewable energy in particular. The Lyon Convention Centre can provide details on its responsible management and eco-attitude, recycling, eco-designed product rental, fair trade products and responsible purchase practices, as well as the green elements built into the fabric of the building. Also on site are 500 hotel rooms, 14 bars and restaurants, 100 companies, concierge service, museum, 14 film theatres and shops, while adjacent are 260 acres of parkland. Eurexpo the Lyon Convention and Exhibition Centre Situated between Lyon city centre and Lyon Saint Exupery Airport, Eurexpo is 10 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from the city centre. The largest exhibition centre outside Paris, it is located on a 110 hectare site and ranks in the top 20 largest exhibition centres in Europe. Eurexpo is currently undergoing a renovation of the welcome area together with a huge expansion due to be completed by the end of 2010. The extension will add another 10,000 sqm to the already vast space, which will include a modular auditorium seating from 1,000 to 4,200 in retractable tiered seating. Spacious and modern, it currently offers 12 separate but connecting halls (of 2,000 to 12,000 sqm), a 12,000 sqm hall without pillars, 50,000 sqm for outdoor exhibitions, a 4x4 vehicle track, eight restaurants and bars plus 13,000 car parking spaces. Eurexpo offers five modular rooms and has direct access to three halls. There is also a golf course nearby. { VI } l y o n t h e b i d

Conference venues space Centre de Congres l Espace Tete d Or Located by the park and with easy access to the airport, highspeed train and motorway, this multi-functional space offers a main area of 2,400 sqm and many meeting rooms. Undergoing a renovation programme, this flexible centre can accommodate from ten to 3,000 people. Halle Tony Garnier Cleverly renovated in 2000, this historic building was originally a grand market dating back to the early 20th century. Now a flexible venue with its historical features carefully preserved, it offers an uninterrupted area of 182,920 sqft on one level, which is ideal for hosting prestigious events. It is popular for concerts and shows as well as conventions and exhibitions. In response to our clients requests, we are building a large extension and new entrance to be completed this year Anne Marie Baezner, Eurexpo Double Mixte This intriguing building is taking the unusual step of advertising itself as the new low-cost venue in town. It is deliberately positioning itself to win business. Says Jacques Chalvin: We own the building so we can decide the price. We wanted to propose something different to the market and we are the first low cost offer in the event industry. In total there are 10,000 sqm of space, with two levels: 4,800 and 4,200 sqm. Chalvin says the building works best for groups of more than 600 but it can accommodate up to 2,500. It can also host a gala dinner for 600. Located within the university district, there are no noise restrictions in the evening, the local transport is excellent and there is a lot of free parking. But don t be mis-led, this is a venue run by professionals who understand this industry. They just want to be pragmatic in difficult economic times and ensure business keeps flowing through their doors. So if budgets are squeezed for your next event, keep Double Mixte in mind. l y o n t h e b i d ( VII )

Where to stay From riverside luxury to stylish budget properties, Lyon offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all pockets. Here is just a selection of what s available hotel rooms in greater lyon HHHHH and HHHH 1,746 HHH 3,352 HH 4,572 0 and H 2,267 Hotel apartments 2,500 Total 14,437 Sofitel Lyon Bellecour Aline Périer HHHHH sofitel bellecour Lyon s first five-star property is the gorgeous Sofitel Bellecour. Situated on the banks of the Rhone river, it is ideally located for Lyon s old town. The hotel has been completely refurbished and now boasts fabulous interiors. The Trois Dames restaurant offers stunning views. www.sofitel.com Beds: 164 Meeting rooms: 12 Largest theatre-style capacity: 380 HHHH hotel de la cite concorde Within easy walking distance of the Convention Centre and Tete d Or park, this hotel was designed by Renzo Piano and bears all his hallmarks of elegance and modernity. It offers lovely views. www.concorde-hotels.com Beds: 164 Meeting rooms: 15 Largest theatre-style capacity: 80 HHHH lyon metropole & spa This hotel has opened the largest urban spa in France the Lyon Plage Wellness & Spa. More than 2,500 sqm of facilities include a hydrojet circuit, pools, steam baths, saunas, jacuzzi, fitness and relaxation rooms, beauty salon and tennis courts. www.lyonmetropole.com Beds: 118 Meeting rooms: 8 Largest theatre-style capacity: 250 { VIII } l y o n t h e b i d

hotels HHHH la cour des loges Situated in the heart of old Lyon s Renaissance district, this atmospheric property manages to stylishly incorporate modern, luxury facilities including a swimming pool - in an historic building. www.courdesloges.com Beds: 61 Meeting rooms: 4 Largest theatre-style capacity: 80 HHHH villa florentine This enchanting hotel sits atop Fourviere and offers fantastic views of the city. A gorgeous blend of Renaissance splendour and Italian design, it also offers a gastronomic restaurant. www.villaflorentine.com Beds: 28 Meeting rooms: 4 Largest theatre-style capacity: 75 HHHH hilton lyon Situated very close to the Lyon Convention Centre in the heart of the Cité Internationale, this modern hotel offers views over the Tete d Or Park and the Rhone river. It is an excellent meeting hotel. www.hilton.com Beds: 199 Meeting rooms: 16 Largest theatre-style capacity: 425 HHHH le royal This elegant hotel is located between the Rhone and Saone rivers and is a landmark property in the city. It overlooks the Place Bellecour and prides itself on offering its guests a taste of French art de vivre. www.accorhotels.com Beds: 80 HHH le collège hôtel This charming property is situated in the heart of old Lyon, a Unesco World Heritage site. It offers a blend of historic and modern together with lovely city views from its terraces and balconies. It can seat up to 80 classroom-style. www.college-hotel.com Beds: 39 Meeting rooms: 4 Largest theatre-style capacity: 50 l y o n t h e b i d ( IX )

For a sparkling occasion Organisers looking for a special venue in which to hold a gala dinner, lunch or even a conference or product launch are truly spoilt for choice in Lyon. Below is just a taste of what s on offer From a 1925 Art Deco brasserie seating up to 500 to a river oil tanker offering a platform for up to 700 in a stylish and dynamic event space, there is every type of party venue you could wish for in Lyon. There are museums, aquariums, restaurant boats, terraces and even an opera house in which to host parties, dinners and receptions. Lyon, however, is also surrounded by the glorious wine region of Beaujolais. So particularly appealing to international groups is the opportunity to explore some of the beautiful scenery, be hosted at one of the many fabulous chateaux and have an opportunity to taste some of the world-famous local wines. Here are a selection of just a few. château de bagnols HHHH L In the heart of the Beaujolais region just 17 miles from Lyon, this is an important historic monument and an elegant five-star property with 21 apartments. A fantastic venue for conferences, product launches, lunches and dinners, its rich cultural setting combines with modern facilities and high quality finishes, service and catering. Authentic regional cuisine is offered by Matthieu Fontaine, a Michelin-awarded chef, and his team. There are six private rooms seating up to 80 theatre-style or 130 for a banquet. www.chateaudebagnols.fr château de pizay HHHH Located around 45 minutes from Lyon, this is ideal for gala evenings, lunches and all manner of events. The beautiful castle is surrounded by vineyards and woods and a charming garden. Situated in Morgon, guests are sure to want to include wine-tasting. There are 48 duplex suites plus 14 rooms. Ideal for outdoor activities, there is also a tennis court and 1,000 sqm spa. The quality of the food is, of course, exceptional. There are seven meeting rooms seating up to 300 theatre-style or for a banquet. www.chateau-pizay.com abbaye de collonges paul bocuse Just three miles outside Lyon, on the banks of the river Saone, this is the perfect spot for large events that require a large, covered area. The Abbaye can house exhibitions, seated events for 100-490 guests and cocktail receptions for 600 to 800. A totally modular space, it is air-conditioned and has wheelchair access. www.bocuse.com { X } l y o n t h e b i d

Special venues château de st trys Nestled among pastures and vineyards, the Château de Saint Trys overlooks the Saône River and the Dombes plains. This listed stately home, privately owned since the 17th century, welcomes guests to its sophisticated facilities. It offers two elegant rooms, a large terrace (630 sqm) of golden stone and an orangery surrounded by an Italian-style cloister and terraces. Many of the event spaces offer fabulous panoramic views over the valley. The chateau can seat between 180 and 550 guests or host receptions for up to 700. chapelle de la trinité The Chapel of the Trinity is recognised as one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Lyon. Located in the heart of Lyon s Presqu ile, this city centre venue makes for a magical backdrop to an elegant evening. In the 18th century this building was at the centre of the dazzling social and cultural life of the city. Today it can host 200 at dinner, 500 at a conference or 400 at a cocktail reception. www.lachapelle-lyon.org château de corcelles Located on the border between Burgundy and Beaujolais, this magnificent 15th-century building is a classified monument 35 minutes north of Lyon. Surrounded by vineyards and a stately park, it offers glorious views. There are three small meeting rooms but its main attraction for events is The Cellar Le Chai. This hugely atmospheric space faces the castle so offers lovely views, which are lit up at night. This room can accommodate 600 for cocktails, 450 for dinner or 300 at a conference followed by a meal. www.chateaudecorcelles.fr Nicolas Robin ASTEROIDE LYON INTERNATIONAL The New DMC - PCO in Lyon! 12 good years of experience Come and meet us at IMEX or EIBTM 2010 Contact: Sophie VOISIN www.lyon-international.com l y o n t h e b i d ( XI )

TOURISM AND CONVENTIONS be here be you Jean-Noël Leblanc - Bontemps A city of nuance and emotions, Lyon brings out the best in you naturally. Here, creativity and talent shine as one. Listen to your heart, discover yourself, follow your instinct. Your life will take on new intensity in Lyon. www.lyon-france.com