Beyond the event brief
An Event Planner's Guide to Monaco
Monaco is a destination like nowhere else.
A country that can fit into Hyde Park with an area of just 2 km², but one that shines on the international stage known for hosting word-class F1 events, yacht shows, and exhibitions. Its name is synonymous with leading hospitality and unforgettable experiences, all minutes apart.
Broadsword joined micebook at their inaugural legacy trip for Nineteen Shadow Board members, bringing next-generation event agency leaders to the Principality of Monaco for three days. With a curated programme in partnership with Visit Monaco, the group was able to experience all that Monaco has to offer from luxurious hotels and internationally renowned venues to vintage car experiences and historical tours.
Central to micebook’s Nineteen Shadow Board experience, the trip allowed for meaningful relationships and connections to be formed for the next-gen industry members starting with a Friday afternoon transfer from Nice Airport to Monaco via a seven-minute helicopter ride!
As icebreakers go, the helicopter ride was an incomparable way to fast-track connections, giving us a shared experience from the outset so that by the time we arrived at Amù at The Fairmont Monte Carlo for lunch, conversations were already flowing and the tone was set for a fast-paced, energetic trip.
Day one: Hotels in Monaco
The Fairmont is the largest hotel in the south of France offering unparalleled ocean views on one side and, on the other, the iconic F1 Grand Prix Hairpin corner. Its rooftop pool, Nicki Beach, and its rooftop restaurant, Amù, along with grand conference spaces offer spectacular backdrops for events and dining.
From there we visited numerous hotels equally as impressive, but all offering distinct settings. The Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel is vibrant and contemporary, following a recent art-deco renovation and its Mediterranean Garden and the sand-bottom lagoon pool stand out as magical settings for private hire.
The Hôtel De Paris is one of the most famous luxury hotels, with iconic views over Casino Square and its Princess Grace Suite; a two-floor space home to the princess’s own artwork and personal souvenirs. Along with grand event spaces, Hôtel De Paris is also home to a hidden gem ten metres underground. The group visited Les Caves:Monte-Carlo Wine Cellars for an exclusive tour and wine tasting where we learned about its 150-year history which has brought more than 300,000 bottles of wine to the space
Finally the Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo offers an elegant, Belle Époque setting that brings the arts and culture of the era to life, stamped by eminent artists including Gustave Eiffel, whose domed mezzanine is a highlight. Included in the 14 banquet and meeting rooms that can accommodate 400 guests, are the Salle Eiffel and the hotel’s second listed historic monument; The Salle Belle Epoque.
Day two: Unique venues in Monaco
On day two, the group was able to experience Monaco from every angle, first stopping at its new district of Mareterra, meaning ‘where the land meets the sea’, before taking vintage cars up into the mountainside and exploring Monaco-Ville, Monaco’s old town known as the rock and home to the Prince’s Palace. The day showed just how much Monaco’s venues have to offer beyond the norm and beyond our expectations: from grand terrace settings to modern business centres and innovative hubs for sustainability and ocean protection.
The Grimaldi Forum for example, is a benchmark conference and cultural centre in the heart of Monaco and winner of micebook’s Best International Venue award. Boasting 40,000 m² of modular space to host conferences, exhibitions and major events under its spectacular glass design, it’s a pioneer in its sector being ISO 14001 certified since 2008 and ISO 20121 certified since 2023.
The Musée Océanographique in Monaco-Ville is well known for its cliffside building, but there is much more to discover inside. It hosts a journey into the marine world and a commitment to protecting the oceans true to the legacy of Prince Albert I who led 28 expeditions. Within this unique space, events can be hosted for up to 1,200 guests in cocktail format with a conference hall for 250 guests, an aquarium area available for receptions, and a top-floor terrace offering 500 m² of open space with 360° views of Monaco and the Mediterranean.
When the sun began to set, we arrived at the contemporary Novotel for spritzes at its rooftop space. Novotel demonstrated just how to enhance an experience to make it memorable, with custom sun hats personalised by their calligrapher given to us as bespoke gifts.
We then headed to dinner at the prestigious Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo. From the entryway’s seasonal floral installation to Karl Lagerfeld’s Odyssey sundeck, the hotel is a beautiful setting that offers ten design-led private event spaces including a theatre with capacity of 110. The Carré d’Or Suite on the top floor stands out for its breathtaking views of Monte-Carlo.
Day three: Business events in Monaco
Day three was all about fresh perspectives, with shadow board members joining a panel at the lifestyle hotel, The Columbus’ Bar to discuss with local partners the current event landscape in both the UK and European markets, as well as how they’re moving the industry forward together with a focus on transparency and partnership.
We then took to the water in a boat experience exploring the French Riviera in style, before landing at our final destination: Le Méridien’s private beach. Le Méridien’s Sea Club is an adjoining conference centre with four levels, 19 equipped meeting rooms, capacity for up to 2,000 people, and panoramic views of the Mediterranean: an inspiring environment for conferences and corporate gatherings.
We had a final lunch together at their restaurant, Muse, before saying goodbye to the incredible destination, taking away new connections with industry peers and a wealth of knowledge on Monaco to bring back to our clients.
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Interested in planning a global event?
Looking for the right destination for your next global flagship or planning an exhibition or leadership retreat in Monaco? Speak to Broadsword for full-service event support from communications, planning and logistics to venue sourcing, event management and technical production. As a global corporate event agency, we believe every project is an opportunity to inspire audiences, connect people and spark ideas.. Get in touch with our global team to start the conversation.
