WATER, MOUNTAINS AND HISTORY
Rhône-Alpes: The MICE Crossroads of Western Europe
By Mark T. Bayod

When most people think Rhône-Alpes they think ‘ski’ – not ideal for MICE you might say, however, Rhône-Alpes offers so much more.  Situated at the heart of Western Europe and bordering with Switzerland and Italy, the geography of this region ranges from the fertile wine-producing Beaujolais to the exhilarating heights of Mont Blanc, from the stunning valleys carved by its myriad rivers to the crystalline lakes filled by the same.

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
Historically, the Rhône-Alpes region, Lyon in particular, has been a crossroads for the Romans, the French and more recently for Europeans in general.  Rhône-Alpes Tourism (www.rhonealpes-meeting.info) and the Lyon Tourist Office & Conventions Bureau (www.en.lyon-france.com) have been fighting hard to change the image of the area from transportation hub to MICE destination… and it shows!  Of Lyon’s total tourism, 70% is now attributed to business travel.  Not one to rest on its laurels, Lyon is very aware of impending changes in incentive laws, especially regarding the pharmaceutical industry.  “They will certainly affect our tourism.  30% of our business travel is medical and/or pharmaceutical.  This sector is thinking about its approach to incentives, particularly in the field of research & development,” said Gerald Buscemi, Development Manager, Lyon Tourist Office & Conventions Bureau.

“Pharmaceutical companies will continue to provide excellent, although shorter, programmes.  Now is really the time to promote ourselves as these events will no longer be held in the West Indies and other exotic locations.  The focus will be on the presentation of the product but will also include gastronomic dinners and leisure activities, which should actually play in our favour,” said Marie-Catherine Vidal, Development Manager & Medical Market Expert, Lyon Tourist Office & Convention Bureau.

LYON THE UNEXPECTED
Lyon’s image has changed constantly since it was capital of the three Gauls in Roman times.  It has passed through a dark, industrial phase to a mysterious, undiscovered phase finally settling on the far more attractive title of the city of light.  A well deserved title, as Lyon is not only the birthplace of cinema, but is also host to the spectacular Light Festival (www.en.lyon-france.com/page/p-556/art_id-/) held on 8 December every year.  For cinephile groups, the first films ever made and the equipment used to film them can be seen at the Lumière Museum (www.institut-lumiere.com), constructed on the same site as the first ever film shoot.

Built on the confluence of the Rhône and the Saone, water plays an essential role in Lyon.  For an aquatic event, why not take cruise on the rivers and enjoy your product launch, gala dinner, incentive or tailor-made event by night or by day in luxury (www.bateauvolupte.com, up to 100 pax; www.naviginter.fr, up to 300 pax).

Lyon has an undoubtedly noble past.  ‘Capital of the Resistance’ during WWII, the city’s unique architecture of secret passageways, traboules (from the Latin trans ambulare), allowed operatives to escape the Gestapo.  Small groups can follow in the footsteps of these war heroes with a team-building treasure hunt through the UNESCO World Heritage Croix-Rousse quarter, while at the same time discovering the architecture hidden behind seemingly closed doors (maps and more info available on demand from Lyon Tourist Office & Conventions Bureau, www.en.lyon-france.com).  Traditionally called the hill that works, the Croix-Rousse is also home to the Lyonnais silk industry.  A visit to the Atelier de Soierie will allow groups to see the screen printing (aka. A la Lyonnaise) technique and perhaps take home some silk scarves with their own company logos (www.atelierdesoierie.com).

To accompany the hill that works is the Fourvière quarter, the hill that prays, upon which stands the Basilica.  This architecturally eclectic building dominates the city and is worth a visit.  Also atop the hill is the magnificent Villa Florentine Relais & Châteaux Hotel (www.villaflorentine.com, 28 rooms).  With its impeccable views over Lyon and luxurious charm, the hotel is ideal for lavish incentives (ironic when one considers that it used to be an austere convent!).  Chef Davy Tissot prepares exquisite food at the hotel’s Michelin 1 star restaurant, Les Terrasses de Lyon.

To impress clients, a dinner at Paul Bocuse’s Michelin 3 star restaurant, L'Auberge du Pont de Collognes, is ideal.  Old school service and décor make the meal quite an experience (www.bocuse.fr).  For an earthier (and cheaper!) experience try some of the local terroir cuisine at the Mâchonnerie Bouchon Lyonnais.

For accommodation in the centre of town there is the cosy and beautiful 4* Cour des Loges (www.courdesloges.com, 62 rooms).  With its glass roofed interior courtyard come dining room and 2 x 25 m² dedicated business areas it is well suited for small meetings in a relaxed environment.  The Italian owned Boscolo Grand Hotel (www.boscolohotels.com, 140 rooms) sits on the bank of the Rhône and offers 7 elegant meeting rooms that can accommodate 10-80 people.  For a bit of school nostalgia, the 3* Collège Hotel (www.college-hotel.com, 39 rooms) serves your breakfast at a school desk and meetings are held in the school style library.  The Sofitel Lyon Bellecour (www.sofitel.com, 165 rooms) has excellent meeting facilities for both small and large groups.

LYON CONVENTION CENTRE & SALLE 3000
Lyon is not found wanting for conference facilities.  The Convention Centre currently boasts the Lumière auditorium (900 seats), the Pasteur amphitheatre (300 seats), a 300 m² ballroom, a 3000 m² pillarless exhibition hall, 16 meeting rooms and a rooftop terrace.  The rather spectacular Salle 3000 (opens June 2006) will triple the Convention Centre’s capacity, adding a 3000 seat modular amphitheatre, 1500 m² of meeting rooms and extending the current exhibition hall with an additional 5400 m² of floor space.  Furthermore, the already excellent public transport infrastructure will be improved with a dedicated tram line to and from Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport.

Adjoining the Lyon Convention Centre is the Hilton with 201 rooms and 14 meeting rooms (www.hilton-lyon.com). Guests and conference goers can dine at the Hilton Brasserie or for more exotic tastes, The Blue Elephant Thai restaurant with its relaxing water features.  For those who enjoy a gamble, the Hilton is also home to ‘The Pharaoh’ Casino.

By the end of 2006 the 3* Hôtel de la Cité and a 3* apartment hotel will open their doors, adding 169 rooms and 100 apartments to the site.  With this new and improved convention centre, Lyon will meet the needs of the most demanding conference organisers.  For more detailed information click here.

THE VENICE OF THE ALPS
Conveniently located only 40 km from Geneva International Airport are Annecy and Europe’s purest lake.  This charming town which has been compared to Venice for its canals (unlike Venice, you could drink from these canals!) is an idyllic MICE destination.  Facilities are available for all sizes of events.  The Annecy theatre seats 986 and has an adjoining exhibition / banquet hall with 450 m² floor space.  For smaller events the Atria Centre offers a 150 person amphitheatre and 10 conference rooms, whereas the exhibition centre boasts a 2300 person capacity.

Medieval themed gala dinners can be held at Annecy Castle Museum (180 pax) on Tuesdays when it closes its doors to the public.  Entertainment ranges from fire-spitting to sword fight re-enactments.  Other castles in the area are also available to host events.  For more information on conference facilities and castles contact Annecy Congres (www.lac-annecy.com).

On the shore of the Annecy lake looking out to the ‘Pre-Alps’ sits the Imperial Palace hotel (www.hotel-imperial-palace.com).  With one of the best equipped congress centres in France, it can accommodate any where from 5 to 600 people in its 21 multi-function rooms – all of which have views of the lake!  After a day’s meetings one can enjoy a gamble at the hotel casino or simply soak one’s feet in the lake (20-24°C water in summer).  La Voile restaurant provides excellent food and regularly brings in chefs and waiting staff from specific countries (China, Morocco and Turkey amongst others) for the occasional themed evening.  Another dining option is to take a boat across the lake to La Guinguette du Pêcheur or to have dinner onboard the MS Libellule (www.annecy-croisieres.com, up to 280 pax).

Annecy is also accessible from Paris by TGV (3h30), by plane from Paris-Orly and by car from Lyon (125 km).

TO SKI OR NOT TO SKI?
Traditionally skiing is not ideal for meetings & incentives due to a lack of facilities, the risk of injury involved and the difference in abilities of participants.  The charming little town / ski station of La Clusaz, however, offers some interesting possibilities.

There are two hotels in La Clusaz offering meeting facilities.  The 3* Hôtel Alpen Roc (www.hotel-alpenroc.fr, 107 rooms) has a total of 327 m² divided over 8 rooms dedicated to business and the Hôtel Beauregard (www.hotel-beauregard.fr, 95 rooms) has 4 conference rooms of up to 160 m² and 9 meeting rooms.

As for activities, Takamaka (www.takamaka.fr) can organise a snow racket walk under the starry night sky, including a hot wine pit stop and traditional savoyard dinner at the Châlet du Lac (www.lechaletdulac.net).  Takamaka can also arrange such original activities as telemark skiing initiations with prize ceremony, horse drawn skiing (aka. crazy horse), dog sledding and even an underground fondue (not for claustrophobics!).

OTHER ACTIVITIES IN RHÔNE-ALPES
Rhône-Alpes offers a plethora of other activities.  For your motor sports needs, DCM (www.cottaz.com) offers everything from go-karting to formula 1 racing.  For a truly memorable experience, the charismatic Charles Gauby, a psychologist turned adventurer, can take up to 75 people over the Alps to Italy in 15 hot-air balloons (www.objectif-montgolfiere.com).  Alternatively, he also offers luxury drives (Porches, 4WDs, etc.) to visit the Beaujolais cellars for some wine tasting.

Golf initiations can be held at the Golf Albon-Senaud hotel (www.golf-albon.com, 61 rooms).  With its 27-hole course and meeting facilities for up to 150 people this French château makes a perfect place to combine work and play.