It is known that business tourism is a very lucrative branch, both in terms of image and economic outcomes (you know the famous multiplier effect of 3 between hotel expenses and various costs of each delegate) generated by it. As a result, international competition is very tight, even fierce, and it is essential that the quality and functionality of the venues are up to the stakes.
“We have very professional partners in GL Events, and their demands make us very open to listening. Indeed, the Acropolis Palace dates back to 1985, and it is logical that many things are no longer up to current standards, which are much more stringent than those of that time, and we all agree that the level of our welcome must be of international standing. With our delegate, we have planned a multi-year intervention plan for 37 million euros, which also includes interventions at the Palais des Expositions that is part of the same complex. GL Events has taken on the first phase of works (for 7.9 million euros), which are underway, with an extension during the Christmas period that will allow for the renovation of the Agora, Muses, and Apollon spaces (with its magnificent acoustics, one of the best at the European level), as well as the entrance hall which will be turned into an open space. The City, as the owner, will be responsible for major repair work and compliance (costing 27.2 million euros), for which several phases of interventions are already planned. The whole will be completed in 2012,” comments Rudy Salles, who serves as host.
Indeed, the project is imposing and suggests, at its completion, a new Acropolis Palace of great beauty and especially very functional concerning the requirements of delegates. Internationally, Nice is mainly competing with Vienna, Berlin, and Lisbon, highlighting the necessity of being particularly well equipped to have chances of success.
It should not be forgotten that delegating management to GL Events revived the activity that had deteriorated over the past few years (when it was entrusted to the Nice Acropolis association), forcing the city to make substantial cash injections to counter poor operational results.
GL Events, a company based in Lyon but with international reach, has managed to revitalize this activity, and while the economic crisis has reduced the size of business tourism with a negative growth rate between 30 and 40%, Nice has suffered much less, limiting itself to a result of -8%.
Lastly, another piece of good news was communicated by Rudy Salles: the Cinematheque, which occupies spaces within the Acropolis Palace, will soon be relocated elsewhere (to the Mercury Cinema, Garibaldi Square?) The same option is also considered for the bowling alley, whose permanence is, however, protected by a commercial lease. It is said that negotiations are underway between the City Services and the tenant company to find a consensual solution and move the bowling alley to another location, thus allowing for a significant expansion of the exhibition space.
Acropolis Palace and Exhibition Hall (delegate GL Events) also feature:
– 14,000 m² of surface for the Acropolis Palace
– 17,000 m² of surface for the Exhibition Hall
– 16 million euros in annual revenue (previous management average was 10 million)
– 38 congresses (expected in 2012: > 40 / previous management average: 20)
– 56 permanent employees with an increase up to 120 in certain cases
– 200,000 overnight stays
– 60 million euros in spending by delegates
