Nantes and Saint-Nazaire are rising destinations for business tourism in France, thanks to their dynamic and committed ecosystem. With excellent accessibility, a reputation for creativity, and unique venues, these cities provide the ideal setting for hosting seminars, conferences, and trade shows. Backed by a Convention Bureau uniting more than 90 public and private stakeholders, the local business tourism sector is rallying to tackle tomorrow’s environmental and social challenges.
A committed ecosystem
Business tourism, or MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), covers all activities linked to professional events such as seminars, congresses, symposiums, trade fairs, and incentive trips.
In Nantes and Saint-Nazaire, this dynamic ecosystem combines all the key providers for organising a successful professional event: privatisable venues, event agencies, catering companies, event service providers, and hotels. The sector is supported by the Convention Bureau, which brings together over 90 public and private stakeholders across the events value chain, alongside major infrastructures like La Cité des Congrès and the Exponantes Exhibition Centre. Le Voyage à Nantes and its iconic venues, such as the Château, Les Nefs, and the Machines de l’Île, enhance the offering, making the territory a key destination for professional events.
Key figures
+130
congresses held annually
1 000
professional events (seminars, conferences, teambuilding, roadshows, etc.)
+50
trade fairs and exhibitions hosted
583 €
average total spend per conference delegate per stay
9th
national rank in ICCA 2023 classification
Nantes, the promise of a “step aside”
In the capital of western France, the events sector stands out through creativity and social and environmental commitment. Just 2 hours from Paris by high-speed train and accessible via its international airport, Nantes offers an ideal setting with a dense transport network and a “15-minute city” layout. A diverse selection of unique venues, from the Machines de l’Île to former palaces, converted factories, castles, and cultural venues, enables the hosting of all types of events.
Saint-Nazaire, where industry meets the sea
In Saint-Nazaire, just 1 hour from Nantes, business tourism blends industrial heritage and seaside experiences. Its iconic sites, including the Submarine Base, Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyards, and the offshore wind farm, offer visitors immersive industrial experiences. Meanwhile, the seafront, 20 beaches, and the Brière marshland, France’s second largest wetland, provide relaxation and team-building opportunities.
Focus on the convention bureau
The Nantes and Saint-Nazaire Convention Bureau, part of Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement, is a team of 8 people with 97 members from the events sector.
Its missions include:
- PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS TOURISM by developing a sustainability roadmap in collaboration with local stakeholders
- PROMOTING THE DESTINATION of Nantes & Saint-Nazaire to organisers of professional events (seminars, teambuilding, corporate events, training, congresses, conventions, etc.)
- SERVING AS THE ENTRY POINT for event organisers and providing free expert advice on the territory’s event resources
- GUARANTEEING HIGH-QUALITY HOSPITALITY for all professional events hosted in the region
- UNITING ALL EVENTS SECTOR STAKEHOLDERS via its member network
- GENERATING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES for the Convention Bureau’s members
Actions for more sustainable business tourism
Convention Bureau members are committed to more sustainable and socially responsible business tourism.
With the Bureau’s support, they experiment with innovative initiatives, such as reducing food waste and promoting social inclusion. Partnerships, especially with ADEME, help raise awareness about decarbonising the sector, accelerating the green transition. The Convention Bureau runs working groups and collaborative initiatives to enhance the customer experience and put sustainability and inclusion at the core of the territory’s business tourism practices.
Fighting food waste: A key priority
In France, 4 million tonnes of edible food are wasted each year—24 kg per person. Reducing food waste is therefore a major challenge for the business events industry.
In Nantes, an innovative initiative was launched to halve food waste by 2025 in business tourism. Since 2022, the Convention Bureau and its partners have implemented concrete actions after measuring waste at 10 events. Solutions include avoiding buffets, choosing set menus, and anticipating participant numbers more accurately. These actions are backed by a charter of commitment and a practical guide to raise awareness among organisers and suppliers.
Nantes Saint-Nazaire is positioning itself as a pioneer territory in the fight against food waste, with the aim of making these practices the new standard in the events industry.
