Nautic Forum – may 28 and 29, may – Interview with Philippe Fourrier

Nautic Forum in Saint-Malo: “One of the most beautiful convention centers in France”

The French Water Sports and Boating Federation, whose mission is to bring together stakeholders in the industry, co-organizes the Nautic Forum and oversees its program. The global communications agency Ilago, meanwhile, manages all logistics and communications for the event.

Philippe Fourrier, CEO of Ilago, alongside Saint-Malo Mayor Gilles Lurton, reflects on the organization of the first Nautic Forum.

©Nautic Forum

“The goal of this conference, as is its purpose, was to bring together the entire French boating ecosystem: from the boating industry and marinas to sports federations and tourism stakeholders.
The value of this event lies not in focusing on a single segment, but in bringing the entire ecosystem together.”

The Palais du Grand Large is a must-see when visiting Saint-Malo. Saint-Malo is not only a key destination for water sports, but also because hosting this event holds political significance for Breton stakeholders, starting with the Brittany region, which is a partner of the forum.

We had 260 attendees over the course of the one-and-a-half-day conference. For a first-time event—and given the challenging times the boating industry is facing—this is a very good result. We are very pleased with it.

"The Palais du Grand Large is breathtaking—it’s rare to find a venue like this. The building is perfectly suited for an event like the Nautic Forum, which accommodates around 300 people; it’s magical. There’s a sense of cohesion between the main conference hall and the break area. It’s clearly one of the most beautiful convention centers in France."