France’s meeting and events industry continues to consolidate its representative associations. Shortly after the merger with LEADS, an association bringing together stand design and event design professionals, French meetings industry council UNIMEV and PRESTALIANS, have announced their merger as of 1 April 2023.
After two years of crisis, French events sector professional are demonstrating a real desire to come together and federate. Coming together in a new united professional body should lead to more effective interaction with the public authorities and with the industry’s ecosystem of professionals, customers and partners.
After carrying out many actions together, the rapprochement between two weighty professional organisations is a logical follow-up which the partners believe will be beneficial to the whole sector.
It is understood that negotiations are being conducted to bring other groupings into the new fold, while preserving the particularities and expertise of each association.
The latest merger protocol creates a ‘stands and exhibition space' section within the new-look UNIMEV.
The President of PRESTALIANS is integrated into the Board of Directors of UNIMEV following the merger.
A statement from Renaud Hamaide and Pierre-Louis Roucaries (pictured) (co-presidents of UNIMEV) ran: “The meaning of these rapprochements is to continue the efforts to consolidate, recognise and defend the sector. We have some large events on the horizon, such as the Rugby World Cup, and many other projects so the need to federate is essential."
Stéphane Leopold (chairman of PRESTALIANS) added: “This merger allows us to make our contribution to the creation of the sector of the professional meeting industry. It also aims to build weight and representativeness with public authorities."
UNIMEV currently boasts over 300 member companies making up nearly 85% of the industry’s operations, including French and world-class leaders specialising in event organisation, hospitality and service provision.
