How to get the most from Monte Carlo Rendez-Vous
This year marks the 62nd anniversary of the Monte Carlo Rendez-Vous, the best-attended conference in the reinsurance event calendar. While the wider reinsurance market enjoys some breathing space in August after half year results and July renewals, Rein4ce is busy organising media meetings, creating copy and organising schedules for our clients in Monte.
Whilst the RVS is held in one of the most glamorous places in the world, the reality of trying to make it through those four days is not as glitzy as it may seem. It’s not all rubbing shoulders, impressing connections and closing big business deals over gourmet dinners and fancy cocktails.
In fact, a long day at a conference, spent rushing from meeting to meeting, less than leisurely lunches and desperately trying to remember which business card matches which face, hours of small talk and constantly smiling can leave you feeling a bit like a deflated balloon at the end of the day.
Luckily, our team of seasoned professionals have attended more than a few Rendez-Vous and have all picked up a few handy survival tips along the way!
The Rein4ce team pictured at last year’s Monte Carlo Rendez-Vous
What to wear at Monte Carlo Rendez-Vous
This tip is mainly aimed at the women (or men… it is 2018 after all!). Wear comfy shoes – not a tip our own @ILSdiva listens to. Monte Carlo is not designed for wearing heels, you will be on your feet all day running from meeting to meeting and the place is full of steep inclines.
Our suggestion is to get some glitzy sandals or if you must wear heels grab a pair of roll up shoes that fit into your designer Chanel clutch bag to switch into when your feet can’t take it any longer – you will thank us later! For women, there is no such thing as too sparkly. Monte Carlo is bling central.
And for men, make sure you pack extra shirts as its very sweaty and you will need double the amount you think. Also watch out for the sockless loafer wearers and the panama hats on the plane out to Nice.
Don’t forget to eat
While this may seem like an obvious one it is something most people can forget to do when trying to navigate their way around a day at the conference. At the risk of sounding like your mum, don’t skip meals and make sure you drink enough water.
It is definitely not the easiest place in the world to grab some food on the go, but if you get prepared before the madness kicks off properly on the Sunday you’ll reap the benefits later. Breakfast bars or a handful of nuts are the way to go – if you have time when you land in Monte Carlo get to your nearest supermarket and load up on grab-and-go items to stuff in your bag while you are running around the next four days.
Network, network, network
The Monte Carlo Rendez-Vous is one of the only, if not THE only, time the entire reinsurance industry is in one place all at the same time. This makes it a must-attend event for those in the industry and means, while you are probably shattered as the days go on, the parties are networking gold mines.
Plan your evenings to hit up the parties where the people you need to meet will be almost all the large companies have events and make sure you are on the guest list – Swiss Re, Sirius, PWC, EY, SCOR, Guernsey, Ed, Canopius as well as the official Monte Carlo RVS party at the Fairmont and many others host glamourous dos.
If all else fails the SCOR lounge is where the entire contingency of the conference will end up at the end of the night, so you will be bound to meet people there as well.
Business cards are essential – and follow up
DO NOT forget your business cards! Give them out to everybody you meet – you never know who you will meet and one day they may need someone like you. When you get that business, you will thank your lucky stars you always keep your business cards with you.
And remember the golden rule of networking – follow up when you get home with an email, a call or a coffee.
I reckon we can all relate to Barbie when the Rendez-Vous finishes
Don’t party network too hard on the first night
We really aren’t trying to sound like your mum – promise! With the champagne flowing freely it can be easy to get caught up in the moment and before you know it your dancing on the tables at the Sass Bar or trying to find a nightclub that’s open so you can dad dance like Ross Kemp (see video below).
You end up going to bed at 4am and have a breakfast meeting at 8am. There are four days of the conference with dinners and cocktail parties scheduled for every night so pace yourself the days are busy, and the nights are long, try not to burn out before you’ve even started.
Don’t forget Berocca and Rennie
Berocca and Rennie are the seasoned professionals best friend – along with paracetamol and ibuprofen. Just in case you didn’t manage to stick to tip number four, always be prepared. As you peel your eyes open in the morning from another night at the Sass Bar, gulp down a glass of Berocca and water (maybe with some paracetamol).
Also take some Rennie – because champagne gives you heartburn (#firstworldproblems).
Stick to these steps and you will find yourself fighting fit for the rest of the day ready to do a repeat!
Bonus tip – look out for the Rein4ce team at Monte Carlo Rendez-Vous
The @rein4cePR dream team will be out in full force, CEO Mairi Mallon (aka @reinsurancegirl), MD Stephen Breen (aka @reinsurancePR), Senior Account Executive Sarah Hills (aka @ILSdiva), Account Executives Helen Smith (aka @helensmithpr) and Conal Urquhart (aka @conalu) and Junior Account Executive Caitlin Jennings (aka @rein4ceCaitlin).
Come and say hello at the event, or keep an eye on Twitter for updates during the conference.
