How to prepare for your first Cannes Lions

Last year, I had the chance to attend Cannes Lions for the first time, and it was a truly unforgettable and extremely tiring week. This year, I’ll be watching it all unfold from afar, but it’s made me reflect on what I wish I had known before I went.

If you're heading to Cannes for the first time, here are some tips to help you make the most of the week, stay energised, and soak in every bit of the experience. Trust me - it’s a whirlwind.

Prepare for a marathon

Cannes Lions is entirely a game of endurance. You’ll walk several miles a day (the Croisette is longer than it looks), run between sessions and meetings, squeeze in food and drink on the go, and still somehow end up networking late into the night. 

You need to pack smart, opting for comfortable shoes, layers to take you from early morning to late evening with ease, and most importantly, as many portable chargers as you can find. 

Don’t overpack the schedule 

The Cannes agenda is absolutely packed with keynotes, sessions and it's tempting to have every minute planned, but the best experiences are normally off-schedule. 

Prioritise your most important meetings, but save time to go on a spontaneous wander down the beach or sit in on a session with an influencer or celebrity you would otherwise never get to see in person.

Network without the pressure 

Remember that everyone at Cannes is just a regular person. You don’t have to be ready to pitch or perform at every interaction. 

Some of the best connections are formed during casual conversations at events or while waiting for a session. It’s most important to be present and let conversations flow naturally.

Be serendipitous 

The most memorable moments aren’t always the ones you plan for. Cannes is a playground of creativity and ideas. 

Between meetings, you should watch a panel outside of your industry, or say yes to an invite you’d otherwise not be able to take up. You never know what may come of that.

And most importantly, look after yourself 

It is no secret that Cannes involves bottles and bottles of rosé, and very few opportunities to take a break, but if you’re not careful you’ll run out of energy far too quickly. 

Always carry a water bottle with you to stay hydrated on the go, especially on warmer days, and make sure you eat real meals. Pre-plan where you know you can grab a bite to eat, whether that’s at your team’s base or on the go with clients, and take any moment you can to recharge. 

Remember…

If this is your first time, soak in every second of it. Take notes, get out there and be open. Most importantly, don’t forget to look around once in a while. It’s important to realise how lucky you are to be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the most creative minds in the world, under the Côte d’Azur sun, no matter how tired you are.