GDP in countries is possibly the factor that most directly correlates with attendance and registrations at Cannes, according to historical data, as more than price, distance or country size, when economies are affected, participation is directly affected. With a global economy in chaos, 2009 will be a year where we could expect similar, or perhaps lower, levels of participation.
In these circumstances, visibly, it will be more important than ever to emphasize creativity as the axis to overcome ourselves, where innovation and new ways will require many minds igniting solutions, proposals, avenues. Even so, their prices will remain unchanged, although with the situation of the Euro today, it is less expensive to go to the festival now, as a registration for a young person under 28 years, will cost €999 for the whole week, while half a week will be €575. The full week delegate will cost €2,195, or the 3-day registration will cost €1,499. I remind all those who are university students that the 3-day pass will cost “only” €575.
Although these prices seem expensive, I must insist that they really are not, as no festival or similar experience gives so much for the money. The quality and quantity of seminars and workshops, the awards, the screenings, the overall experience and everything you get per day at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, makes the “value” unbeatable. By the way, I must add, more and more clients come every day and therefore, more and more sectors interested in creativity and winning ideas are added every day.
In this meeting, the history of our Young Lions was a very positive surprise, especially when we learned that initially we had 66 couples participating to go to the competition in Cannes. Likewise, yesterday we received confirmation that we will have to wait one more week to know what spaces we were granted for 2009, since we have applied for Print or Film, precisely the most desired categories in the world, apart from Media, which has been a revelation of interest and participation.
While the values of the Festival were highlighted, be they neutrality, premium, networking, learning, globality and at the center of it all, creativity, it is also a time to meet and connect with many of the representatives, with whom we share experiences that teach, and also some moments to enjoy, as in these photos from last night at the invitation dinner of the organizers.
In this photo with representatives from Colombia, Argentina and Brazil among others.
And in this one with representatives from Honduras, Panama, Guatemala, Venezuela, Mexico and Festival representatives, such as Amand Benfell in PR.
In this picture, a few meters away from being back at the host hotel, with representatives from Honduras, Venezuela and Guatemala.
When I see these photographs, it is inevitable that the mantra “success is succession, success is succession” comes back to my mind. And because of this, what has been built so far has a key to sustainable success: succession.
Everything we have learned will be passed on to others, everything we are adding for creativity in Costa Rica, is and will always be for everyone. Nothing that happens is personal, but absolutely for the collective good. The time that is set aside and the costs that are assumed are little, compared to what is gained, and for this reason, nothing is more important than succession, in everything we do.
Notes like this one, precisely, are oriented to share, to challenge, to inspire and encourage everyone to continue on the road to a creative Costa Rica. After 4 lions in 2008, we must go to Cannes next year and return to the stage, confirming that we are a community of creatives on fire with the idea of becoming winners in the big world.
Cheers!
