Forum Economique Breton, September 6 and 7, 2023 - Interview with Christian Pousset, General Secretary of the event.

At Le Grand Large, "we feel a positive vibe".

The 4th edition of the Forum Économique Breton welcomed 4,200 delegates to the Palais du Grand Large on September 6 and 7, 2023. As Christian Pousset, the event's general secretary, explains, this popular meeting of economic players remains faithful to Saint-Malo and its convention center.

As a preamble, for those who may not be familiar with the FEB, could you introduce the congress?

The FEB is, in a way, the back-to-school event for Breton stakeholders. Its originality lies in the fact that it brings together public and private players: companies, local authorities, Pôle emploi, ADEC, CCI, citizens and researchers. All with the same objective: to co-construct new economic models that will fertilize the region, and that are sustainable and inclusive. At the FEB, supported by the Brittany Region, we listen to the many voices involved in cultivating this "vivre-ensemble". And we do business, which is part of the life of a region: business leaders have told us that the two days they spend at FEB are equivalent to a year's worth of meetings.

Why did you choose the Grand Large for the first edition of the FEB?

In my opinion, Le Grand Large is one of the most appropriate convention infrastructures. Let me explain: today, a convention center must be beautiful without being expensive, connected without being merely digital, and offer a high quality of service. Le Grand Large is all of these things. Its transparency, luminosity and openness to the sea and tides make it a genuine building. You feel the truth of the place, you feel a positive vibe.

Did its location play a role in your choice?

When you're creating an event, being 2 hours 15 minutes from Paris by train is obviously an advantage. We also took into account the very high quality of the hotel infrastructure in Saint Malo. A case in point? The Hôtel Océania, next door to the convention center. Its privatization at sustainable rates is appreciated by companies who are more careful with their spending, for both economic and philosophical reasons.

You've just announced that the FEB will be based in Saint-Malo until 2028. How will the convention evolve?

I'd like to get Breton cultural players on board. You can't talk about economic development without talking about culture. Sponsorship and the cultural footprint will certainly be on the agenda for future editions.

Further information: FEB - Forum Économique Breton - Penser la Bretagne de demain (fe-breton.bzh)

Interview conducted by Béatrice Ercksen.