Paris has touched the hearts of those whose job is to share the wonders of this unrivalled city.


Helena Hradilova, Director - International Congresses, AIMS International Group
European Quality Management Forum - EFQM - from 27 October to 29 October 2008

“ Paris is a lovely and unique place - also for the congress organizers - for its choice of exclusive venues, first class hotels, fine dining restaurants… But it takes a human touch to be able to envisage the meeting possibilities, to choose the right place, to carry out the preparatory work and to finally have an event that any planner in the world would be delighted to be associated with. By saying this we would like to thank the Paris Convention Bureau for their assistance, professional advice and help that enabled us to hold such a successful event. Merci et bravo.”



Peter Schmid, managing director, Conference Wise

“I don't want to sound corny but what really appeals to me are the charm and the whole way of life out there. There are hotels to suit all budgets as well, which is always a huge advantage. Somewhere such as the Concorde Saint-Lazare is very nice without being OTT, so it suits a certain level. Then of course you have the grand hotels such as Le Crillon and the Ritz, which are just a different world. It's the way you are looked after - you're made to feel important. A lot of places elsewhere think they've got this, but in Paris it's the real thing.”



Lorraine Joyce, sales director, Airtrack

“Paris offers a vast range of wonderful sporting events. Roland Garros is always a really prestigious tournament and seems to be growing in popularity again with UK clients. There is a real sense of occasion. The same can also be said of Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - it is extremely coulourful and there are very high levels of hospitality. People get dressed up in the same way as they would for Royal Ascot - it's fabulous. The great thing is that you can attend one of these events, then follow it with whatever you like, whether that be a trip to Disneyland or some classic culture.”



Yvette Brogarth, managing director, Conference Style

“The thing I love about Paris is the service. They understand precisely what it means to be in the hospitality trade. I have had several experiences in the UK where the receptionists look as if they've been thrown out of bed and act like they're doing guests a favour just being there. You might drive for two and a half hours for a meeting and not even be offered a glass of water. You never get any of that in Paris - they seem to be extremely appreciative that you are there, and the attention to detail is always spot on.”



Sandra Roberts, managing director, Cambria House Corporate Hospitality

“The cuisine in Paris is excellent. Dinner at Fouquet's, off the Champs-Elysées, is always a fantastic experience - they do amazing foie gras and the service is faultless - but you find real quality throughout the city. There is always so much going on, all through the day and into the early hours of the morning. It has held on to that special ambience, the whole Paris in the Spring effect, which really makes the city exciting. It can't be easy for cities to keep that kind of atmosphere, but it's something that they've managed to do superbly in Paris. I love the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe too - it's an excellent showcase for Paris.”



Professor Jacques Belghiti, President 2005 of the ACHBT
10th World Congress of International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association - Paris 2012:

“I prepared the candidacy of Paris to show that there are many hepatic surgeons and many good publications in France. Other factors such as the locations were all prepared by the Paris Convention Bureau. I received a great deal of very efficient and very important support from this office. They notably showed us that Paris has a lot of good hotels, not only with three stars or above, but also two stars. It was exactly like the Olympic Game (only Paris won this time!). But I didn’t vote, as I was a candidate.”



Guilène Valette, Events Manager - Union Internationale des Avocats
51st Congress of the Union Internationale des Avocats, from 31 October to 4 November 2007, at the Méridien Montparnasse (1,300 participants):

“Paris is an ideal destination for the organisation of an international congress. The city offers a wide variety of services and amenities (welcome, catering, hostesses, interpreters, entertainment, transport, audiovisual, accommodation, etc.). We would especially like to thank the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau for their professionalism and their advice. Our congress was a huge success with 30% more participants.”