The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes is the 1st site in the department to be awarded the SAFETY SITE label.
The Alpes-Maritimes prefecture awarded this label on Thursday 31 January 2019 in the presence of Stéphane DAGUIN, the under Prefect of Grasse, David LISNARD, Mayor of Cannes, Christophe BRIEZ, Central Commissioner- Head of the Western District and Claire-Anne REIX, Chairwoman of the Palais des Festivals, who all signed the CONVENTION.
A well-deserved quality mark
SAFETY SITE is the recognition of the safety and security policy operated by the Town of Cannes and the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, in close collaboration with the police forces, emergency services, national and local institutions and internal teams.
The “tourism and safety” programme, launched on 20 April 2017 by the Ministry of the Interior, aims to increase the safety of tourists welcomed in France. The program plans for the deployment, in each department, of safety conventions in tourist sites identified in advance, and which must benefit from security measures unique to their configuration. The “safety site” label is an addition to these conventions and forms the subject of monitoring by the department’s “tourism-safety” commission. In an ever-more sensitive setting, the Palais is committed to a pro-active approach with the public authorities, so as to optimize the hosting of major professional events, shows and festivals. Cannes has a duty to combine its efforts in order to guarantee a high level of safety, with almost 280,000 accredited professional visitors to the Palais per year and almost 3 million leisure tourists welcomed each year by the destination.
Vigilance and prevention : everyday priorities
Within the framework of the relaunch plan that began in 2016, to ensure France remains the No. 1 tourist destination in the world and offers its visitors every safety guarantee during their stay, the Ministry of the Interior has taken strong measures to coordinate the actions implemented at national and department level, and also to identify tourist sites offering the highest safety guarantees by awarding them a label.
In awarding the SAFETY SITE label to the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes, the Prefecture is recognizing the undertakings made and the measures taken on a day-to-day basis and their compliance with the high degree of vigilance and prevention required by the State. The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes is the first site in the Alpes-Maritimes to be awarded the label. This label was awarded after a study of the means and methods implemented by the Palais, the No. 1 site in the department hosting the public (ERP). Observation of the exercises undertaken to improve the mechanisms an ensure the reactions, the regularity of the tests organized, and an audit performed in situ are gauges for the concrete actions taken by the Palais des Festivals.
“The label illustrates the commitment made by the Palais teams, in a responsible partnership spirit. This is a voluntary undertaking to make events safe, in conjunction with all the region’s security forces: the town of Cannes and the State services” emphasized Claire-Anne REIX, Chairwoman of the Palais.
A high and suitable level of vigilance
The safety processes and mechanisms deployed, during professional events, trade fairs and conferences, and also for all events, shows and festivals meet a high and suitable level of vigilance. «This distinction is an important one. It confirms our efforts and our undertakings, positions the site as a safe location and recognizes the teams’ know-how. For event organizers, it is also the guarantee of offering their public optimum safety conditions. This remains a high expectation of delegates, particularly those from the USA and Asia” specified Philippe LECLERC, Director of Safety and Security at the Palais.
Lastly, for David LISNARD, Mayor of Cannes “This distinction is fully in line with the Town’s safety actions. Cannes has the densest CCTV network in France, with 629 cameras. We were the first Town in France to implement a communal Terrorist Risk Prevention Plan as of 2016. In Cannes, a global village, all the new layouts are considered so as to best protect the people of Cannes, conference delegates and visitors".
Today, the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes can display the SAFETY SITE logo, a noteworthy and reassuring element for the international clientele welcomed in Cannes.
The key points in the Palais’ Safety and Security mechanism
- A team mobilized 24/7 - all year round
- A site covered by CCTV
- Regular simulations
- Regular exercises
- An internal training plan
- Risk awareness programme for all staff
- Constant surveillance
- A qualified team of almost 40 permanent staff members
For all events
- A provisional and suitable security plan
- Metal detectors
- Visual checks and a strengthened presence in accordance with the number of accredited guests
- Cooperation with the municipal and national police forces
- Implementation of a dedicated and developing mechanism
- Tailor-made CCTV
Collaboration and partnerships
- With the State services
- With the event organizers
- With the police forces
- With the department’s socio-professionals
- With the reference training institutes