November 2021 • PharmaTimes Magazine • 7
// BUSINESS INSIGHT //
Keeping up with the trends and new innovation – while remaining reactive – is how Monaco, as a nation and a business destination, aims to thrive. The world’s most famous principality has a proud history of pioneering medical excellence and always ensures that there is a connection between the theme of a congress and local specialist fields.
Superbly located at the heart of Europe, this country is considered the safest nation in the world, where public health is always a priority – now more than ever.
Monaco has world class centres of excellence, thanks to expertise in the arenas of cardiology, gynaecology & obstetrics, emergency medicine, traumatology, orthopaedic, clinical gerontology & memory centre and wider medical biology.
Indeed, Monaco’s Cardio-Thoracic centre is the only facility in Europe with a dedicated robot designed to carry out mitral valve repair.
As well as being an aspirational hub with a legacy of achievement, Monaco also offers elite levels of service, security, accessibility and unrivalled hotels. Meanwhile, its multi-award winning Grimaldi Forum Monaco – a modern eco-certified Congress Centre – reinforces Monaco’s strong commitment to sustainability and digital transformation.
Future proofing
For the pharma industry – which relies on confidentiality, clean data, reliable technology and elite presentation options – Monaco offers a peerless package which follows European regulations and compliance guidelines, ensuring that medical ethics are always respected.
Stephan Degueurce-Roberge, Visit Monaco’s Managing Director in the UK, has witnessed the principality’s increasingly compelling partnership with the healthcare industry. “It has always been a priority for Monaco to deliver a truly accomplished medical environment with a host of safe and secure hotels, restaurants and event spaces,” he explains. “The principality presents a unique package to congress organisers, including cutting-edge meeting spaces, advice, harmonised prices and value for money.”
Following the challenges of the previous 18 months, event organisers can now safely host 100% virtual or hybrid events in Monaco.
“The Grimaldi Forum Monaco has implemented a new hybrid studio with a permanent, modular and evolving platform for the organisation of TV Broadcast and webinars,” enthuses Stephan. “Most of our venues are now capable of hosting these flexible occasions and, recently, a hybrid wine tasting was even held in the cellar of Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo!”
The Grimaldi Forum Monaco adapts to make all projects truly unique and is only a short walk from the Principality’s largest hotels. It offers 35,000 square meters of floor space, three auditoriums, 40 meeting rooms and the ability to welcome up to 3,000 guests.
Inspiring confidence
Of course, pharma industry events often occur on a grand scale and Monaco’s three largest hotels – Fairmont Monte Carlo, Le Meridien Beach Plaza and Monte-Carlo Bay hotel – all carry a 4-star rating and together they offer 1200 bedrooms, representing 50% of Monaco total hotel capacity.
Furthermore, meetings and conventions account for 40% of the annual activity of each hotel. These magnificent properties also have recreational areas, but these are minor compared to their formidable business infrastructure, which really sets them apart. In addition, there is an array of magnificent 3-star hotels, including the Novotel Monte-Carlo and the Columbus Monte-Carlo.
The perception that such an exquisite setting and attention to detail is unobtainable is a myth. It is widely recognised by many loyal medical entities that the prices of hotels in Monaco are actually equal to or lower than equivalent accommodation in many major European cities.
And, make no mistake, so much of drug development and pharmaceuticals is about seizing the day – being at a certain place and at a certain time can make all the difference.
Stay in the moment, Visit Monaco!
To discover how you can host your next pharma event, meeting or roundtable in Monaco go to cvbvisitmonaco.com/en
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