Rosa Faizzad’s Post

For those of you navigating the whirlwind that is the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity this week, here are some tippy tips from us at Alfonsina

Could the secret to unforgettable experiences lie not in what we do, but in #whowemeet❔❔   "The Friendship Metric in Hospitality" coined by Susie Arnett uncovers the magic of #GuestToGuest (G2G) value co-creation, revealing that the most memorable moments - be it at a bustling theatre festival or a thought-provoking museum tour - stem from often unplanned human connection.   The memories that linger longest aren't those of formally structured events and experiences, but of our meaningful interactions with other guests and visitors along the way.   Explore this paradigm shift: where #eventsuccess is measured by the depth of connection, transforming mere visits into lifelong memories:

As an Event Coordinator, meticulous planning and empathy are key. Understanding and honouring the diverse beliefs of your team is paramount. Inclusivity is essential; treating everyone with respect sets the foundation for a successful event. As we approach the season of Year End Functions, let us ensure that everyone is catered for, from food, music, transport etc. Remember it is the thought that counts. This event comes once a year make it memorable, people always remember how you made them feel #EventCoordinator

Everyone knows industry speak can be overwhelming. It’s a whole other language entirely when that corporate lingo is taken to the French Riviera. In case you need a refresher, here’s a cheeky digest of what people might say while they’re at #CannesLions — and what they actually mean. #CannesLions2024

After 12 years on the trot I decided to take a break from Cannes this year. To do Cannes well requires a big type of energy. Energy I don’t have to spare at the minute. The undeniable thing about the festival is that it’s great for meeting people. My FOMO levels have been pretty minimal, but missing out on meeting clients, colleagues and friends from around the world - new and old - is definitely what I've missed the most. Egos, yachts, beach parties et al aside, the reason companies can justify the expense for an excursion to the South of France is that it drives business. The maths work, as evidenced by the increasing size of the festival. Check out Brian Morrissey’s ‘The Rebooting’ newsletter for a robust case in support of this (link below). But the downside to that bloatedness is that there seems to be a growing divide in terms of access, which only serves to support those organisations with the financial clout to pay for a private performance with Lenny Kravitz/dinner at Hotel-du-Cap/transatlantic travel on a chartered private jet (none of these are made up). As Lola Bakare phrased it, there are ‘layers of social stratification’ that seem to be deepening. Part of me says fair enough, it’s a feature not a bug. But then I saw Brian Collins & co’s invitation to escape for “small, curated (but unfussy) events about the real creative and business challenges of the day.” Yes, in a chateau, but open to all. Which has me thinking, if an event like Cannes becomes a meeting venue exclusively for those with the deepest pockets, then we need a new way to convene for the thousands of small and medium sized independent creative and technology companies that make up this industry. How do you possibly rise above the noise as one of those - not just in Cannes, but for the other 51 weeks of the year too? In an oversaturated market the opportunity for differentiation is clear, but it feels like new spaces are needed for the best new and existing independent entities to get the spotlight. Not another industry echo chamber dominated by the same people/companies, but a space that showcases the best and most exciting brains in a way that drives business, not just likes, pats on the back and strokes of the ego. I have some thoughts on what that could be, but it ought to be shaped by the industry so I’d love to know what other people think. If you’re reading this and feel the same way, drop me a DM and let’s chat. 

Why Celebrating Festivals Matters in Today's World 🌍✨ In the fast-paced, digitally connected lives we lead today, festivals hold a unique importance. They are more than just cultural traditions; they are essential for bringing us together, grounding us, and reminding us of the values we cherish. Celebrating festivals allows us to pause, reflect, and reconnect—with our families, communities, and even ourselves. In our workplaces, these celebrations promote diversity and inclusivity, fostering a sense of unity and mutual respect. They serve as a reminder that beyond our daily routines and tasks, we are part of a broader, vibrant culture that thrives on togetherness and shared joy. In today’s world, where stress and burnout are real concerns, taking time to celebrate not only boosts our morale but also strengthens our bonds with others, creating a more supportive and positive environment. So, let’s continue to honor these traditions, embrace cultural diversity, and use these moments of celebration to refresh, inspire, and connect. 🎉🌱 #FestivalCelebrations #CulturalDiversity #Community #Inclusivity #Wellbeing #PositiveCulture

The Hidden Impact of Event Ambiance It’s the secret sauce for unforgettable experiences. An event’s ambiance is often overlooked, yet it’s the critical element that shapes the entire experience. From the lighting to the music—each piece sets the tone and directly influences how guests feel and engage. The right mood can turn an ordinary event into an extraordinary, memorable one. Remember: People might forget what was said, but they’ll never forget how the event made them feel! If you want your events to be unforgettable, focus on the ambiance. #EventManagement #EventExperience #AmbianceMatters #EventPlanning #CustomerEngagement #IntroGroup #IntroEvents

Five days until kick off for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. This will be my 12th consecutive Festival and each year there are more and more ‘Top Tips’ from the Jurors, team, and repeat festival attendees on how to “do Cannes”. Of course it would be remiss of me to offer anything other than the most #Effective tips - so here are my Top Tips on how to have an Effective #CannesLions. 1. Plan your diary - arrange breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffees, afternoon cocktails, post dinner drinks, early morning swims, parties, Festival sessions (and of course don’t forget to diarise 15.15-15.45 Thursday 20 June https://lnkd.in/eBthy4yb) - its not everyday you will get to see me taking on the role of an Inglorious B***ard CEO (seriously), whilst we unpack brand new findings from a comprehensive study into levels of alignment across the CEO/CFO/CMO trifecta… 2. Get ready for your diary to not go at all to plan. 3. Carry portable phone charges - see point above - everybody's day becomes fluid (some fluidity more down to rose consumption than others) - get ready to reschedule, rebook and reset. 4. Plan at least two days post #CannesLions to do your follow up, not just resetting your liver, but your reaching out to those new and old contacts you bumped into on the Croisette and nailing those potential new business opportunities. 5. Flat comfortable shoes are a must - its been said before, but that doesn’t make it any less effective. The Croissette is just under 1.5miles long, and whilst you won’t need to head to the end of it, and back, every time.. you will be making multiple trips up and down throughout the day. Day in day out. Comfortable shoes, trust me… 6. And as a corollary to the above, a bike is even bigger win…. 7. Check out the work in the basement - when else do you get time to see the BEST creativity from all over the world in the one place. Take it - and question it, what worked, how do you think it worked, review and learn. 8. Check out the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity #CreativeEffectiveness Awards show - I’m honoured to be a Cannes Lions Effectiveness master, and to have helped pull the criteria together for its launch back in 2011. Fast forward to 2024 and its an effective way of seeing at a glance commercial creativity at work. 9. Talk to everyone, The Effectiveness Partnership is a UK-based business and we have built our worldwide client base through sometimes serendipitous conversations on the Croisette. 🌍 10. Talk to me. We have helped deliver hundreds actually frankly 1000's of effectiveness cases across #CannesLions, #Effies, WARC, IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising) and more. And we do this by upskilling your team and embedding cultures of effectiveness in clients and agency teams. Message me - it will be the most effective thing you do across the 5 days of the Festival.

6 months ago I was approached by my client, asking for my help. She wanted to play the piano at the annual themed conference party. Having only just started lessons, it was an ambitious goal. She knew it, but was determined. Nobody knew about it, just her band mates and I. It would be a surprise to the rest of her team and to their guests. The theme of the party was aviation - of course, the song had to be Great Balls of Fire. So we set about recreating the infamous bar scene from Top Gun, complete with a Maverick look-a-like. The beauty of moments like this, is of course, watching the sheer exhilaration, experienced by my client - the nerves diminished, and her confidence soured. Not only that though - the sheer joy as guests improvised, becoming backing singers; the beaming smiles of pride on the faces of my clients colleagues, the happiness experienced, as guests belted out the words 'Great Balls of Fire'! And me - I am constantly and immensely in awe of Annette Allen, not only for learning a difficult piece in such a short time, but for embracing the moment, and ultimately creating THE BEST moment of the night. It was a privilige to be part of it and to help facilitate. This is what we do at Sneaky Experience Events. We help create unique experiences, we facilitate fun, promote playfulness and deliver smiles. ...... oh, and we're really good at keeping secrets too! #SneakyExperienceEvents #UniqueExperiences #EventPlanning

🎄 𝐀 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲🎄 Have you ever felt the beauty of simplicity, just like in A Charlie Brown Christmas? A Charlie Brown Christmas reminds us that simplicity can be deeply touching and profoundly beautiful. In a world filled with elaborate events, sometimes less truly is more. By focusing on meaningful content and genuine interactions, we can create unforgettable experiences without the need for extravagance. Let’s embrace simplicity! 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭. If you would like help finding the perfect hotel for your next event, lets connect!