Grimaldi Forum toasts success at annual Galette des Rois celebration

With a packed schedule of events this year, the Grimaldi Forum has already surpassed its turnover record of 2019, confirming Monaco’s position as a key event destination.

More than 500 clients, partners and journalists gathered on Tuesday evening at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco (GFM) for its annual meeting. The event was an opportunity for Sylvie Biancheri, the General Director of the Grimaldi Forum, to give an update on the results of Monaco’s largest congress and exhibition centre, while celebrating the Epiphany with copious amounts of Galette des Rois and champagne.

And there was certainly reason to celebrate. It was revealed that 2023 was a great year for the GFM, with 115 events and exceptional attendance levels. Among the best performing were the luxury trade show Top Marques, which saw 25,000 visitors, and the anti-ageing congress AMWC, which lured in 15,000 attendees. The summer exhibition ‘Monet in Full Light’ pulled in a record crowd of 120,000 in just two months.

See more: ‘Monet en pleine lumière’ breaks records, next three exhibitions revealed

In total, the GFM managed to achieve a 90% turnover of 2019, its best year to date.

Sylvie Biancheri delivering her presentation to the crowd, including Minister of State Pierre Dartout. Photo by Monaco Life

2024 is on track to break all records

The disruptive Covid years appear to be long gone, with Biancheri revealing that the Grimaldi Forum has attracted a host of new events this year, including the Junk Kouture sustainable fashion competition in February, the Padel Best Expo and Moretti Fine Arts in April, and the SLB Digital Forum in September. These are in addition to the GFM’s returning events like the Job Forum in February and Ever Monaco in November.

See more: Upcoming Monaco Pour l’Emploi jobs forum will feature “more ambitious format”

In a continuing show of support for the Grimaldi Forum, CMB Monaco has also renewed its sponsorship agreement with the convention centre for the 19th year running.

“CMB and the Grimaldi Forum both have very strong DNA, but with a vision on the outside world, so we are pleased to be the two organisations that make Monaco shine,” CMB CEO Francesco Grosoli told Monaco Life.

The annual Epiphany celebration and Galette des Rois feast has grown to include a progress report on the GMF. Photo by Monaco Life

The highlight of 2024 will, of course, be the summer exhibition, which this year is themed ‘Turner, the sublime heritage’ (Turner, le sublime héritage), in collaboration with the Tate museum. It will be dedicated to J.M.W. Turner, one of the greatest European painters of the 19th century, and present 80 masterpieces in dialogue with contemporary artists including Katie Paterson, Mark Rothko and Roni Horn. The exhibition will run from 6th July to 1st September 2024.

While this year is set to be record-breaking, 2025 is even more exciting, with the delivery of the extension of the Grimaldi Forum that will add 50% more exhibition space both inside and outside – and all this in its 25th anniversary year.

See more in our Instagram reel below…

 

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Main photo source: Grimaldi Forum Monaco