Month: February 2018

Sylvie Biancheri, General Director of Grimaldi Forum Monaco

ML: Can you tell us a little about your background, and the path that led to your current position of General Director, Grimaldi Forum Monaco?
SB: I am Parisian, and moved to Monaco in 1995 with my husband Franck, a Monegasque, who had the opportunity to join the Department of Finance and Economy as General Director.

It was a turning point in my career. Since 1983, I had mainly been working for banks (Export Financing) and insurance brokers (Political and Financial Risks). I spent two years at the Monaco Tourism Board where I learned about business tourism and then in 1998, when the Grimaldi Forum was still under construction, I was asked to put together a small team of three to elaborate a strategy, both in culture and business tourism, and to prepare the Forum’s operations. It was an amazing experience as we started essentially from zero!

ML: Can you please provide a brief history with some key facts and figures for our readers who may not be familiar with the Grimaldi Forum.
SB: Inaugurated in July 2000, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco is the Congress Centre of the Principality of Monaco, hosting one hundred professional events per year: trade shows, product launches, conventions, conferences, gala dinners …

This state-of-art building offers 35,000m² of exhibition and functional space, comprising also the Salle des Princes, which, with 1800 seats, is the largest auditorium in Monaco.

With nearly €17 million turnover, the Grimaldi Forum has achieved record results in 2016 and 2017, generating more than €55 million in economic benefits for the Principality. It is a great source of pride for the 136 employees representing 46 trades through events that welcome more than 220,000 visitors per year.

Since October 2008 the Grimaldi Forum has held ISO 14001:2015 environmental management certification.

ML: Does Grimaldi Forum focus on business and trade?
SB: No, the Grimaldi Forum is also an unparalleled venue providing a cultural programme focused on three major themes: exhibitions, music and dance.

Every summer the Grimaldi Forum Monaco puts on a major thematic exhibition devoted to a leading arts movement, a heritage or civilisation subject.

ML: Since the award of its ISO 14001 certification in October 2008, Grimaldi Forum has continued with its eco-initiatives to reduce waste, water and energy. Can you tell us about the Forum’s commitment to the environment, and how this aligns with the government’s objective of a carbon-neutral Principality by 2050?
SB: As we are ISO 14001 certified, we work daily to reduce the impact of our event activity on the environment. This translates into concrete action in terms of reducing our energy and water consumption, effectively sorting waste, adapting a policy of purchasing eco-labelled products or services, and a willingness to raise awareness via our communication.
In other words, we immediately responded to the government’s call for a successful energy transition in the country. We signed the National Pact, and have seen strong results already: a 19.2 percent reduction in power consumption with a 62.7 percent reduction in water consumption since our certification in 2008.

We focus on searching for new energy solutions, such as solar panels, like the plan drawn up by the State as part of its Energy Transition initiative.

ML: How do you plan the yearly agenda? Is there a division of events dedicated to culture or congresses, for example?
SB: The development of our agenda is a clever mix between the needs of our business customers who are solicited as part of our commercial prospecting – which represents nearly 80 percent of our events, the requests of cultural entities of the Principality who wish to take advantage of the Grimaldi Forum to showcase their great performances, and Grimaldi Forum’s own productions, shows and especially art exhibitions, like in the summer, which require two years of preparatory work.

ML: Regarding congresses and conferences, how does the Grimaldi Forum compete internationally in Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Events (MICE) market? Which cities do you see as your main competitors?
SB: The MICE industry is developing today into an increasingly competitive environment. All tourist destinations try to attract congresses and conferences, which constitute a significant economic windfall. Our main competitors are the major European capitals – Paris, Berlin, Vienna, London … but also the more Mediterranean destinations, like Barcelona and Cannes.
But our assets give us an edge over our competition: a destination with an international reputation, finely-tuned operations, expertise and quality service to meet market demands – which our customers greatly appreciate. And thanks to innovation in all areas, we are always looking for ways to strengthen our attractiveness.

ML: What are the trends you are seeing in the business tourism market and how does Grimaldi Forum Monaco adapt to these demands?
SB: Business tourism is living in exciting times – for participants, planners and venues! The Grimaldi Forum Monaco builds its strengths on successful customer experiences, its capacity to innovate and its strategy to satisfy a constantly emerging MICE market. Main trends in the business tourism market:

Value for money: The Grimaldi Forum offers an unequalled quality/price ratio. This is mainly due to the expertise and professionalism of our teams (140 people covering more than 40 different professions), as well as our high standards in terms of customer service. Hospitality and specialised service are very important features at Grimaldi Forum Monaco, which is a key player in helping to make Monaco a business and cultural destination.

“All-inclusive venues for human-friendly event playgrounds”: To quote Event Manager Blog, venues have an increasingly impactful role in helping planners enhance event experiences. As an event-friendly venue, Grimaldi Forum provides end-to-end services while remaining flexible to planners to help them create immersive experiences.

Innovation: Today events need to reach out, connect and share! We have responded to this market demand by proving the necessary digital and technological infrastructure, and also by designing new services for our clients.

Safety and security: Whether physical or cyber, security is top on planners’ agendas. Monaco benefits from a well-known reputation in this field.

Sustainability: For the last 10 years, sustainability has been a growing trend in the industry. Due to our ISO 14001 certification ten years ago, we focus our attention on six priorities: Energy, Water, Waste Sorting, Green Products & Procurement Policy, Prevention of Environmental Risks, and Communication.

ML: How much secondary revenue do congresses and conferences at Grimaldi Forum generate for the Principality?
SB: A congress at the Grimaldi Forum is on average between 600 and 1,500 people … per day. For certain events, such as the World Anti-Aging Congress, we exceed the 10,000 professionals who need to stay, eat, move and work in good conditions, and efficiently –everything is within walking distance … The economic spin-off represents around €55 million per year.

ML: What have been some of the Forum’s biggest ever successes – Francis Bacon, the Forbidden City, TEDxMonteCarlo, Top Marques, sports, music?
SB: The most successful event held at the Grimaldi Forum was the Grace Kelly exhibition in 2007 with 135,000 visitors in two months.

But success is not only measured by attendance, it depends also on the nature of the event, whether business or cultural … but we do emphasise that any event taking place at the Grimaldi Forum is considered a quality event. This is the strength of the Grimaldi Forum brand, which echoes the richness of our programming.

ML: Any future events or expansion plans for Grimaldi Forum you can share?
SB: The future development of the Grimaldi Forum inevitably involves the land extension
project, which will allow us to expand over the next 10 years. With almost 6,000 m², we will increase our exhibition space by 50 percent and be able to organise three simultaneous events. This is a great opportunity … In the meantime, our goal is to minimise the impact on our business and to remain fully operational to our customers.

For more see the Grimaldi Forum Monaco website. Article first published February 15, 2018.

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Bibi Morelli Schofield, Owner and Managing Director of Morelli’s Gelato

ML: Tell us about your professional background. You were a lawyer but now run Morelli’s Gelato – the family ice cream business, with a franchise in Monaco.
BMS: It’s true, I began my career as a lawyer, both as a Member of the NY Bar and then in the UK where I worked as a Banking Lawyer with Clifford Chance, spending several years working in their London, Madrid and Milan offices. Much as I enjoyed this environment, I felt I wanted the challenge and autonomy of launching my own business.

Following my father’s decision at the time to retire imminently and my observations of the gelato market, both from living in Italy and travelling abroad, I decided that the expansion of the ice cream business internationally would be a great project and chose to join the family business, taking it into its 5th generation of family management.

After a few years based in other places, we ended up in this part of the world for various reasons, not least that I have family here. It is also well connected to London and conveniently located in terms of access to Italian suppliers. Along with security and good weather, access to sea and mountains and a vibrant international community, it is for us a perfect location.

ML: What are some of your favourite family activities in Monaco? Where’s your preferred spot for some quiet time in Monaco?
BMS: My favourite attractions in Monaco in terms of family time with my husband and Celeste, our 7-year-old daughter, are long walks along the seafront including the lovely Japanese garden, with of course an ice cream at Morelli’s as the cherry on top! Having spent the last 10 years in Zimbabwe, we love nature and wildlife, and will also escape into the surrounding mountains for long hikes whenever time permits.

I adore any of the outside spaces at the Yacht Club for quiet time … absolutely beautiful views and very serene.

ML: What is something that would surprise people to learn about being a Mom in Monaco?
BMS: Notwithstanding the reputation for glamour, I have found most of the mothers here to be very grounded particularly in terms of parenting – there is a wonderful camaraderie and a great support system, all the more lively for the exotic mix of cultures. Fun fairs, bowling, ice skating, gingerbread houses and so on … all form part of a mother’s life here too. My experience with the International School of Monaco Early Years has been a very positive one and one which I would recommend to any mother.

ML: What made you decide to become a lawyer? What were the good and bad aspects about that lifestyle?
BMS: We have a history of lawyers in the family, not least my grandfather who amongst other things was the Minister of Justice in Venezuela and, as one of the driving forces behind Venezuela’s democracy, was a truly inspirational figure to me and to all who knew him.

I guess I also displayed the right characteristics for this as a child and from an early age enjoyed debating, reading and so forth.

There were many good aspects of life as a lawyer. I hugely appreciate, for example, the skills set one develops which is transferable to most other walks of life. Attention to detail, project management, teamwork, working under pressure and commitment to the task at hand were central to that environment. It was challenging and demanding but we were also excellently supported.

As for the negative, very late nights, even all-nighters and weekends, at the office, were not unusual and although in itself this did not bother me, I did not enjoy not having any autonomy over my own time. It wasn’t so much that you had to work all night, it was that it was not my decision which night that would be! It was also a very specialised area of law and I preferred the idea of working across a broader range of subjects.

ML: Morelli’s Gelato has been dishing out ice cream since 1907. What’s the history of the company?
BMS: Morelli’s began in 1907 when my great-great-grandfather walked from Southern Italy near Naples to the UK and started selling handmade ice cream from the back of a bicycle. Over the next four generations of Morelli’s, the business developed from bikes to vans to coastal stores across the UK selling not only ice cream but sundaes and shakes and coffees and cakes … but we always continued the tradition of freshly made gelato and, of course, the “secret family recipe” containing milk, cream and sugar. Our original store in Broadstairs, which seats 180 people and opened in 1932, is still there today in all its retro glory and is a much-loved nostalgic destination for visitors to the area.

ML: Part of your vision when you took over from your father was to export boutique stores to unique destinations. Can you talk about your ideas for development, and how your legal background helped the expansion process?
BMS: I had noticed that in many countries the only real ice cream presence was in brands such as Häagen Dazs/Ben and Jerry’s/Baskin-Robbins. I felt that a luxury “fresh” gelato like ours offering quality, heritage and a differentiated concept, which included our signature eye-catching sundaes, would be very well received. It also made sense to me to focus on destinations with good weather all year round and a strong tourist element, rather than a rollout of parlours in the UK where there is such strong seasonality.

This desire to export our concept to foreign countries together with the know-how in our business and my legal background led me to establish a franchise concept, which I used as the vehicle for expansion. Essentially I packaged the knowledge we had in our business into manuals and systems, which could be easily followed by our partners, and the franchise model enabled relatively rapid growth supported by local partners with local knowledge in each territory. My vision – now 10 years ago – was to change the way people in far flung lands perceived ice cream … that fresh gelato made from the very best ingredients was a wonderful and completely different thing to ice cream in a plastic tub. Over the last decade, I believe gelato has already become more synonymous with a better, healthier option.

ML: Morelli’s has been sold in Monaco at the Café de Paris for the last 10 years through SBM as your Monaco partner. How did this happen?
BMS: We approached SBM ten years ago because we felt that with such a prestigious location in perhaps the world’s most exclusive square, the Café de Paris deserved the best. As a family we have been based in Monaco for over 40 years, we understand the market, we have a unique 111 year old family heritage with our product, and we have been honoured to partner with SBM to offer customers something totally exclusive and beautiful rather than just ordinary “scoops” on offer from a homogenous, ubiquitous brand.

ML: In today’s environment of wellbeing and healthy living, how do you market ice cream?
BMS: I don’t believe that people want to forego their treats, albeit in search of a healthy lifestyle. People will still enjoy cakes, desserts and, of course, ice cream…. I do however believe that a more discerning consumer will seek to ensure that when they do have a treat, or buy one for their family, that it is fresh, good quality and made with healthy, natural ingredients. If you are going to have a treat, it does not need to be “junk food”. This is where our product is easy to market. We produce our ice cream fresh, on site, every day, in every store. We use no artificial colourings or flavourings and no hydrogenated fat. We source our ingredients meticulously and have strong product provenance to ensure the best quality of that particular item, for example, cacao from Venezuela and coffee from Kilimanjaro.

ML: I heard that Morelli’s makes ice cream for dogs?
BMS: Indeed! We launched a canine gelato (no lactose, very low sugar) last year in the UK to great acclaim. I absolutely adore dogs and our 1932 seaside ice cream parlour in Broadstairs, where many customers come in after walking their dogs along the seafront, is dog-friendly. I thought it would be fun that any customer of the parlour would receive a scoop as a treat for their dog, which would ordinarily just watch everyone enjoying their food and drink. I cannot, however, claim this to have been a financial success as somewhat indulgently we preferred to make the dog scoops complimentary to ensure they all received one!

ML: If you could have three magic business wishes, how would you expand/develop your business?
BMS: In Monaco, if I could have three business wishes, I would love to introduce in conjunction with SBM i) yacht/home delivery of fresh gelato …perhaps on cute purple Vespas; ii) another all year round location(s) around the principality to attract a wider customer base beyond the Café de Paris where we have a summer presence only; and iii) provide wholesale supply to bars/restaurants/hotels/events in Monaco. And if the genie were feeling generous then just for fun iv) a dog gelato, too.

ML: What’s the hardest part of running a family business? What is the advantage/disadvantage of being a woman in business?
BMS: It can be difficult to ever get away from a family business. It pervades most of your family life – dinners and weekends and holidays – it’s always part of the conversation. And if you ever feel like you would like a change, you can’t exactly resign. It also means much more to you than just a commercial venture where “you win some and you lose some”. You have so much more invested in terms of emotion and pride and I guess a weighty feeling of responsibility to those who worked hard before you to get it this far and those who come after you to whom you should be able to hand a legacy.

I have never, ever found it a disadvantage to be a woman in law or in business. On the contrary, I feel that if anything, it has been a benefit to be a woman in a “man’s” world – I have always felt respected and comfortable and I am very sorry that so many women feel they have had such negative experiences. I am fortunate that this has not been the case for me.

ML: How do you organise your day?
BMS: I refuse to wake up until there is at least some daylight! I then take a minimum of 45 minutes to do a daily exercise/meditation routine. I drop our daughter at school and have a coffee. After that the working day begins and I try to have most of my work done by the time my daughter arrives back home. We try to cook and eat dinner together as a family. There is always the me/mother/businesswoman/wife/daughter/friend balance to achieve. It is really not always easy to juggle everything, particularly if you throw travel into the mix, but it is an absolute privilege to have the richness of a life with all facets represented. I am lucky to have a hugely supportive husband and wonderful parents based in Monaco who are happy to help in the day if necessary.

ML: What is the one device you cannot live without?
BMS: According to my husband, my iPhone! Closely followed by my Sonos. I have never and still do not own a TV and I am not a social media person – mercifully, no Facebook, Instagram etc.

ML: How would you describe the female community in Monaco?
BMS: Exotic, glamorous, friendly and fun.

ML: What is something you’ve always wanted to try or do?
BMS: There is so much. I love yoga, meditation, hiking and wildlife. I love music, food and wine. Bucket list ranges from a Tantrayana retreat in Bhutan to walking the Camino de Santiago, seeing the gorillas in Uganda or taking a wine course in Bordeaux …

ML: We have to know … what’s your favourite ice cream flavour?
BMS: Our signature soft-serve dairy Vanilla – every time.

Article first published February 12, 2018.

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In 2010, Natasha Frost-Savio set up Pink Ribbon Monaco, a non-profit association which raises awareness on methods of early breast cancer detection and prevention through various campaigns. One of its main events is the annual 5-km charity walk that takes place this year on Sunday, March 11, at 10:30 am.

The idea for Pink Ribbon Monaco came to Natasha – who recently co-founded with her husband the Blue Coast Brewing Company – when she felt that not enough was said about a disease that “affects/has affected/will affect everyone at some point”.

“Early detection can save lives, and it broke my heart to know that so much suffering could be prevented by a free – albeit unpleasant – quick exam. Here in Monaco at the Princess Grace Hospital (CHPG), we are fortunate enough to have an amazing team of specialists and a state-of-the-art mammography system.”

For women who work or live in Monaco, free exams are offered from the age of 50, five years before many others countries commence screening. Contact the CHPG screening centre for information.

The cost to register for the 7th Pink Ribbon Monaco Walk is €30, a contribution which helps to illuminate various Monegasque landmarks in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as well as to organise informative Q&A conferences and other campaigns in Monaco, and assist the Centre de Dépistage du CHPG (Princess Grace Hospital Screening Centre) led by Dr Daniel Rouison.

Registration can be done online but also in person right up until the walk starts (“No excuses!” says Natasha). This year, the Running Expo, with shops and animations in conjunction with the 10 km Monaco Run also taking place on March 11 – will be held in Port Hercule, Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, and Sunday from 8 am to 12:30 pm. Here, participants can pick up pink T-shirts as well as bibs on which personalised messages of support “to the person whose courage and strength have touched you” can be written.

All children are welcome (free for under-13s) and, as Natasha points out, “even if there are a few steps on your way to the Palace, it is a fun and easy walk!”

Known for its energetic ambience and “pink dress code” (“anything goes”), the Pink Ribbon Monaco Walk has become an eagerly awaited event, with some participants this year coming from Avignon.

“This association means a lot to me, as I hoped to create a few days when women could get together, be silly in pink costumes while raising awareness about a terrible disease, but one that can be beaten,” Natasha shares.

“The Pink Ribbon Monaco Walk is a day when we can have fun, enjoy life, celebrate others and praise the strength of our friends and family who are fighting or have fought breast cancer. Taking the seriousness away for a minute, to celebrate life. I have so much admiration for all these ladies.”

But as Nathalie reminds all ladies, “Check your breasts regularly just in case you feel something abnormal and if you do, do not brush it off – talk to a specialist. Just don’t put it off.”

Pink Ribbon Monaco needs volunteers on the day. Contact: office@pinkribbon.mc. Article first published February 13, 2018.

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AIDS awareness for students

Organisers of Venice in Monte-Carlo, which includes the Grand Masked Ball on Saturday, February 17, have announced that part of the benefits of the evening will be donated to the Foyer de l’Enfance Princesse Charlene (the Princess Charlene Home for Children).

The Princess Charlene Home for Children officially opened on February 1, 2012, in the presence of the Prince and Princess, and then Minister of State Michel Roger, along with members of the government.

Located at 9 rue Bellevue, the building was built on the site where the former Dominican convent once stood. Each year, around thirty children and teenagers from Monaco live at the Home for Children, which aims to help to protect minors in danger, and to help parents reinvest in their parental duties.

“In 2015, 44 children were welcomed,” Huguette Woodroffe, Deputy Director, told l’Obervateur de Monaco in April 2016. “The average placement is two to three years. But it can go from a few hours … to several years.”

Of the 30 minors, most are between the ages of 14 and 18, with one-third being Monegasques, one-third French, and the other third a mix of nationalities.

“And behind every child placed lurks a story of a family in crisis. Sometimes conjugal violence or psychological difficulties. Sometimes health problems or single parenting situations that are difficult to live with.”

The Princess Charlene Home for Children project was implemented by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in cooperation with the Ministry for Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development, and demonstrates a commitment to continue to make Monaco a model country in the social sector.

Under the High Patronage of Prince Albert, Venice Monte-Carlo will take place later this month, and the Grand Masked Ball – complete with period costumes and “a sumptuous and dreamlike show” – will be held at the Salle des Étoiles.

More than 70 artists, musicians, acrobats and dancers will host the Grand Ball, which will pay tribute to the City of Venice and the Principality of Monaco, and see economic players, members of royal families, philanthropists, celebrities, opinion leaders, distinguished academics and representatives of the world media all gather to recreate the atmosphere of this golden age.

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