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The Realities of Attending the Cannes Festival

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The Cannes Lions Awards is what you make it. I've attended many marketing conferences, but nothing compares to the Cannes Awards—where people arrive biased and leave inspired.


It's incredible to be in the room with smart, creative, and strategic professionals at the forefront of creativity. As a marketing professional or a student, the festival gives you hope and a desire to be the best version of yourself—as a person, marketer, business partner, etc.


You're liable to have a quick run-in with your dream company's Global Head of Strategy, chat your way into a very exclusive beach, or have lunch with the Meta posse (literally, this happened for another student). Cannes is a place where positions are respected and admired, but there is a sense of humbleness, gratefulness, and willingness to give back.


However, to have a great Cannes experience, there are a few things all NYU students should consider during the week. Here are five things you should think about.


  1. Prioritize your schedule. Use the app to find the panels you want to attend that are the best for you. While you'll make great friends on the trip, you must attend events, brand beaches, and panels that align with your future career goals.

  2. Bring a portable charger. It's pretty self-explanatory, but it should serve as a reminder to bring a charger. LinkedIn QR codes are the easiest way to connect with anyone. If you run into your favorite executive, there's a 99% chance they will easily pull up their code, so having a full battery and ready to scan is key.

  3. Dress light. If you don't own linens, I suggest purchasing them before the trip. There are stores all around, so you'll still have the option to buy them. Nonetheless, linens and flowy clothes might be the best attire for the South of France, as well as constant walking.

  4. Find the brands that offer the best breakfast and lunch. These brands spend thousands of dollars to be at the festival, including food. As a student traveling for two weeks, spending on coffee and croissants may start to add up. During the 2024 festival, Meta Beach was the best beach for coffee and healthy snacks/hydration. MediaLink had the best complimentary alcoholic beverages.

  5. Say yes to the exclusive happy hours. My best advice to a younger student/colleague was, "If you get invited, go." Use your best judgment when possible, but this festival is for you to take advantage of any opportunity. Exclusive events and late-night happy hours happen, and you're more likely to build an intimate connection with a C-suite executive if you attend those events. Note: use your best judgment, and don't overconsume.

  6. Say no when you're exhausted. There are many panels, parties, and events, but you know your limit. The days are long, hot, and exhausting, so don't feel bad when you don't have the energy to say yes to an event.


Ultimately, the trip will be worth it. The entire two weeks of the program are tiring, but it's also exhilarating and a peek into your future. There's no way to prepare for this beast of a festival, but I hope any student who attends approaches it as a great opportunity for the start of their career.


Have fun, and prioritize yourself!







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