In partnership with Monaco Convention Bureau, the micebook Shadow Board headed to Monaco for The Legacy Retreat, a three-day programme designed to showcase a different side to the destination and challenge perceptions of what it can offer for meetings and events.
From helicopter transfers and classic cars to historic wine cellars, venue visits and a boat trip around the bay, the group experienced Monaco from every angle, while also getting the chance to connect, share ideas and offer their own perspectives on the future of the events industry.
After an early morning check-in on 11 September, the Shadow Board took to the skies, ready to discover what Monaco had in store. On arrival at Nice Airport, we were split into groups and whisked away by helicopter, flying along the coast and into Monaco in suitably spectacular style.
Our first stop was Amù at Fairmont Monte Carlo, where we enjoyed welcome drinks at Nikki Beach before sitting down to a three-course lunch overlooking the Mediterranean. It was a chance for the group to get to know each other, as well as some of the Monaco Convention Bureau partners who would be joining us throughout the weekend. We then headed off for a site visit, exploring the Fairmont Monte Carlo and its meetings and events offering.
Hosted across three hotels, Le Méridien Beach Plaza, Fairmont Monte Carlo and Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, we had time for a quick freshen up before heading out again to explore some of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer properties.
The tour took in Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo and Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, with a standout moment at the Hôtel de Paris, where we explored the Presidential Suite and watched the sun set from its terrace.
Next, we headed beneath the Hôtel de Paris to Les Caves de l’Hôtel de Paris, where we explored the historic wine cellars and enjoyed a tasting. Home to around 350,000 bottles, including a cognac dating back to 1815, the cellars are among the largest hotel wine cellars in the world.
Dinner that evening was at Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo, where we were joined by Monaco Convention Bureau and its partners for delicious Pan-Asian cuisine in a private dining room. A small group of us then headed to the Casino de Monte-Carlo, where we managed to lose Chet’s €20 in record time. With our fortunes quickly diminished, we called it a night and headed back to our hotels for some well-earned rest.
Classic cars and Monaco icons
Saturday began at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, where we enjoyed a tour of the impressive venue. Following a presentation on the creation and construction of the Grimaldi Forum, we were met by CMX Events for one of the weekend’s highlights: a classic car drive through Monaco and into the French countryside.
From a red 1964 Ford Mustang to a retro Porsche 911, we set off in convoy, taking in the sights and stopping for plenty of photos along the way. And with the number of passers-by photographing us, we felt something of a tourist attraction ourselves.
After a brief site visit at Port Palace Hôtel, we headed into Monaco’s Old Town for lunch, followed by a tour of the Oceanographic Museum.
Perched on the cliffside overlooking the Mediterranean, the building is almost as impressive as the collections housed inside. Its 100-metre-long limestone façade is decorated with intricate references to marine life, from waves and seaweed to shellfish, octopuses and ships’ bows.
Our guide then took us through the narrow streets of Monaco-Ville, sharing stories from the principality’s history as we passed Monaco Cathedral, where Prince Rainier III married Grace Kelly in 1956, and the Prince’s Palace, the official residence of the Grimaldi family.
After changing for dinner, we headed to Novotel Monte Carlo for sunset, where Ikebana Events was waiting with hat decorating and a generous amount of Aperol. The group settled in for drinks, conversation and plenty of photos against the Monaco skyline.
From there, we headed to Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo for another site visit, where the pool and hotel exterior provided the backdrop for a micebook-branded cocktail before dinner. We rounded off the evening over a three-course meal in a private dining room before heading back to our respective hotels.
The next generation has its say
Sunday morning gave the Shadow Board the chance to switch from experiencing the destination to sharing their own views on the industry, with the panel ‘The Industry Tomorrow: Perspectives from the UK Shadow Board’ at Columbus Hotel Monte-Carlo.
Bringing together Beth Spacey of Strive Events Agency, Sophie Burn of XSEM and Naomi Hartnick of Emota, the 45-minute discussion offered an honest look at the future of the events industry from the perspective of its next generation.
The conversation explored their initial perceptions of Monaco and whether the weekend had changed them, alongside the latest trends shaping client expectations and some of the uncomfortable truths facing the events industry today.
After some audience questions and a little post panel networking, the ShadowBoard joined Raising Stones for a Boat trip around the Bay, where Rosé flowed and hats flew (quite literally), and we were spoilt with a view of Monaco from the water.
Pulling into Le Méridien Beach Plaza, we embarked on our final site visit of the weekend before sitting down for lunch by the beach, reflecting on the trip and soaking up the last of the Mediterranean sunshine before heading home.
Attendees on The Legacy Retreat represented XSEM, Nteractive, Strata, Top Banana, Your Event Solutions, Goose Live Events, Emota, Broadsword, Lemon Lane, VeSpace and Strive Events Agency.
A huge thank you to Monaco Convention Bureau for hosting the micebook Shadow Board for The Legacy Retreat, and to all the partners who helped bring the three-day programme to life and gave us such a memorable introduction to the destination.
See the full event photo album here