From Dream to Reality (and a Whole Lot of Sunscreen): My First Cannes Lions Experience

Attending the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has been on my vision board since sophomore year back when I was first figuring out what the word "branding" even meant, and thought “experiential marketing” just sounded cool and vaguely mysterious. Fast forward a few years (and quite a few marketing classes, internships, and late-night campaign brainstorms later), and there I was: in Cannes. Standing under the Riviera sun, badge around my neck, matcha in hand, wondering how on Earth I got lucky enough to be there. Spoiler alert: it lived up to every expectation I had and then some.

Let’s get one thing out of the way: it was hot. Like “walking through a hairdryer on full blast” hot. I’m not sure if I sweat more from the Mediterranean heat or from trying to keep up with all the brilliant ideas flying around me. Either way Cannes, you came in steamy. But, somehow, the heat added to the magic. Every brand had their space dialed in—cabanas lining the beach, each one a fully immersive world of its own. From interactive demos to exclusive panels to spontaneous live performances, it was clear: these weren’t just marketing activations. They were experiences, carefully crafted to tell stories, evoke emotion, and connect in ways that go far beyond a screen. This, for me, was the moment that solidified my passion for event planning and experiential marketing. I’ve always loved building things people can feel, and being at Cannes was like watching a masterclass in exactly that.

Over the course of the week, I sat in on incredible talks hosted by companies like The Female Quotient, Outfront Media, Canva, Amazon, MediaLink, Havas, and DoorDash, just to name a few. These weren’t just panelists, they were thought leaders, CMOs, creative directors, founders, and innovators. People who have shaped the way we understand culture, storytelling, and consumer behavior today.

Some of the key themes and takeaways that really stuck with me:

• Brand authenticity is everything. If you don’t define your brand’s voice, someone else will do it for you.

• Curiosity is the marketer’s superpower. Creativity doesn’t just belong in art—it’s a tool for building smarter, more human solutions.

• Be multicultural and multigenerational in everything. We can’t market to the world if we’re only speaking to part of it.

• Relationships fuel the industry. It’s not just who you know, it's how you show up for them, consistently and authentically.

• Failure is part of the process. The most successful people in the room were the ones who failed fast, learned faster, and never stopped evolving.

Each conversation left me thinking deeper about the kind of marketer I want to be not just skilled, but intentional, inclusive, and adaptable.

What I thought would be a week of panels and photo ops turned out to be so much more. It was a crash course in excellence, a chance to build community, and a spark that reignited my belief in the power of bold ideas. I left Cannes with a notebook full of insights, a phone full of new contacts, and a heart full of gratitude. This wasn’t just an event. It was a chapter in my story and I have a feeling it's only the beginning.

One day, I hope to be back on that stage this time not just watching others win awards, but accepting one of my own. Until then, I’ll keep dreaming big, staying curious, and yes, always packing extra sunscreen.

Thanks, Cannes. You were unforgettable.