- Because of the coronavirus, no event has been held at the Cité des Congrès since March.
- The emblematic place of Nantes, which is used to host shows and conferences, suffered a loss of turnover of 60% compared to the year 2019.
- Denis Caille, the managing director, is optimistic about the relaunch of events (mostly postponed) in the second half.
"It was good to see people again ..." This is how, this Thursday, Denis Caille, the director general of the Cité des Congrès, concluded the press conference to relaunch Nantes equipment. It must be said that the Cité des Congrès has been desperately empty since mid-March and the start of confinement. "We took an immediate wall of inactivity," recognizes Denis Caille. A hundred events - congresses and shows - were to take place between March and July, none could be held. This represents for the Cité des Congrès a loss of turnover compared to 2019 of 60%, i.e. four or five million euros.
"Our financial situation is healthy," reassures the CEO, with in particular a turnover of 11.5 million in 2019 and a little more than 20 million euros in 2018, "a year out of the ordinary". The time is therefore not to worry. "We are pragmatic and aware of reality," explains Denis Caille. We have a situation which presents itself with optimism, with many events rescheduled. We hope that the pandemic decreases in intensity and that seems to be the case, and we hope that people will want to consume the economic and cultural event. "
Still a doubt for the shows, less for the congresses
If the health context allows, the public will in any case have a choice. With all the reports, the Cité des Congrès will offer 114 events (instead of 77 initially) over the second half of the year until December. "We have a full agenda, but an uncertain agenda," sums up Denis Caille, who specifies that all health protocols will be implemented for everyone's safety. If the congresses including the one on the cold chain in August should all be held, a doubt still remains today on the shows. “Producers / turners are waiting for strong signals from the state on how to bring the public together and make sure that artists can produce in confined spaces. Julie Zenatti (postponement of her April concert) is in all cases planned to open the cultural ball in early September.
The Cité des Congrès, which in the future imagines "hybrid events combining digital and face-to-face", announces that "whatever format is chosen, the 20 years of Utopiales will be well maintained at the end of October". Just like Nantes Digital Week in September.
The extension project suspended
An optimistic table blackened at the start of the week by the announcement of Johanna Rolland, who to seduce Julie Laernoes (EELV) in the context of the second round of municipal elections in Nantes, to agree to suspend the extension project of the Cité des Congrès . The works were scheduled to start in 2023 for the opening of the new building in 2026. Objective: to be able to host more events and greater diversity. "I refrain from answering that, answered Denis Caille, questioned about this about-face by the mayor of Nantes and this halt for the development of the Cité des Congrès. It is a subject of political exchange. I have an opinion, but I will give it to elected officials instead. "
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- Deconfinement
- Culture
- Nantes
- Show