The best events at Cannes Lions provided a space to network

Of course, while Cannes Lions is ostensibly about showcasing and celebrating creative work, I quickly realized its true essence lies in the connections made between attendees. A networking event par excellence.

The cabana activations exemplified this blend of social interaction and brand presence. Unlike traditional exhibition spaces, these beachfront havens prioritized hospitality and created the perfect atmosphere to meet and be met.

À la plage

Seeing many brands showing up differently, with a ‘bespoke to beach’ vibe, was unexpected, and a great reflection of how to tailor to the occasion. Pinterest created a beach-relevant aesthetic and grabbing every opportunity to be playful - their brand experience Manifestival was chocablock 24/7.

The participatory Stagwell Sport Beach was a masterclass in how to stand out from the sea of sails, with amazing curated content. And with sports activations such as Meta Pickleball, partners could get fully behind the concept.

Meanwhile, MediaLink showcased premium networking, meeting and thought leadership space design, with VIP business experience at its heart. A week of unforgettable experiences and programming helped to empower a huge number of conversations.

Amazon A’maison took the prize for showstopper activation. Its scale, programming, and stunning use of space made for a buzzy and vibrant experience. The whole thing provided a perfectly balanced, and powerful, combination of work and play.

What are you thinking?

As well as the social connections, there was the thought leadership. AI was naturally the biggest topic on the agenda, overshadowing other equally important industry themes, such as sustainability and DEI. Much discussion on the subject came with a deep focus on dispelling fears around the revolution underway, looking at how this already established tech is a channel and catalyst for creativity, rather than set to be its replacement.

Microsoft showed sensitivity to this with a pared-back space, cutting through the noise, with a simple gallery of work named Discover the Art of the Prompt, which I found highly effective in its simplicity.

Great spaces and interesting talks could also be found away from the beach – including at some of the smaller suites. A bigger venue is defo needed next year for the packed-out Female Quotient, please! LinkedIn delivered a high-quality content program and took full advantage of its rooftop location to encourage networking chats.

There was sensory overload at the TikTok garden – with so much to see and hear, the space was both exciting, and overwhelming. Step forward then Ascential’s Zen Garden, a space that embodied the joys of a moment of calm, and Amazon’s Glow Ups, which offered a helping hand with keeping chic in the heat.

The sheer number of activations, talks, and meetings could be overwhelming for a newcomer, making careful research and planning essential. My advice? Seek out the smaller experiences, bring shoes to survive 50,000 steps per day, and take shelter when needed in the Palais.

And, as with a magical trip to Disney, leave a little space for serendipity.