Global Experience Specialists (GES) EMEA has opened a Paris office and facility, part of the UK-based event services group’s strategic expansion across the region. The move follows announcements of new operations in Qatar and India, as well as the continued evolution of the business’s Dubai office.
GES has also recruited a team of local French talent based in Paris. Thibault Mervaillie is heading up the new team in France and said: “This is an exciting time for the French market which has grown consistently since Covid. Our aim is to strengthen our existing customer relationships and develop new partnerships. We want to bring global expertise, delivered locally by French-speaking teams with in-depth knowledge of the national event landscape.”
The arrival of GES in France should help existing EMEA clients looking to expand their events across the region, the group believes. As part of the launch, GES has joined UNIMEV, the French industry trade body for event and exhibition organisers, venues and suppliers.
“France welcomes around 1.8m congress attendees each year, and we’re delighted to see renowned global businesses such as GES investing in the French event market and dedicating resources to our expanding industry,” said Frédéric Pitrou, délégué général of UNIMEV. “As members of UNIMEV, GES can be a real asset to our association, bringing expertise and market knowledge from around the world.”
Dean Linehan, vice-president, client relations, GES EMEA, added: “Across the globe, we’re expanding our presence by putting boots on the ground, and hiring highly experienced, highly talented, local people. It means we can continue to offer clients a strengthened team that specialises in these crucial markets. GES already serviced several events in France, including JEC World and Enlit Europe, Paris Packaging Week, and SIFER.
“Likewise, our joining UNIMEV, combined with our commitment to best practice geo-adaption, underlines that we’re keen to continue to help organisers produce the most authentic and successful event formats that are relevant and engaging to local markets. With our infrastructure, we are well placed to deliver events in France and across the continent.”
