Choosing Saint-Nazaire for your business event means…

… Discovering a dynamic and innovative region of France … Enjoying the attractive surroundings of a city by the sea … Organizing a gala evening in a setting which is unique in Europe … Knowing that costs will be very reasonable … Relying on the expertise of Visit Saint-Nazaire … Staying in a city which is very easy to get to

PRESS FILE Press Manager: Andrea KLOSE Phone 0033 228 54 08 05 /0033 689 88 29 05 [email protected]

Economic dynamism, innovation and diversification Ideally situated on the Loire estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, Saint-Nazaire boasts a dynamic tradition of creating, building, innovating and opening up to the world. The economy of the city and this region has always been in the vanguard of major industrial challenges. It can be said that innovation is a state of mind in Saint-Nazaire. Saint-Nazaire’s key industrial sectors, which more than once have been ahead of their time, are clearly focused on excellence: • • •

Shipbuilding Aircraft manufacture Renewable marine energy sources

Choosing Saint-Nazaire for your events, meetings or seminars, means being in close contact with that dynamism of constant research into innovation and sustainable development. It is also the opportunity to discover major industrial sites, such as the shipyard STX France or the Airbus factory, where Visit Saint-Nazaire organizes exclusive guided tours (see photos below).

An attractive “City by the sea” Between the Loire River and the Atlantic Ocean, Saint-Nazaire enjoys an outstanding maritime environment, with a beautiful seaside promenade, 20 beaches and a coastal footpath (the Customs Officer’s Path). The city is however not a seaside resort but a real working community which is lively all year long, a true “city by the sea”. During events, this environment can be put to good use for example for outdoor team-building activities, possibly on one of the beaches. In terms of accommodation, Saint-Nazaire has 1,050 rooms on offer (841 in three-star and 157 in two-star hotels). Prices are a far cry from what would be expected in a seaside resort, so it’s easy to keep an event’s budget at reasonable levels.

Unique in Europe: Escal’Atlantic, the Ocean Liner Experience, an exclusive venue for corporate events Escal’Atlantic’s exceptional setting, evocative of the golden age of legendary ocean liners, is unique in Europe and represents a spectacular venue for gala evenings and corporate events. Its setting is directly inspired by the interiors of yesterday’s ocean liners, which gives Escal’Atlantic its unmistakeable atmosphere. The “Harbour Lounge”, which opens onto the harbour basin, only adds to the enchantment of the venue. Escal’Atlantic offers various possibilities for cocktails or gala evenings, re-creating a very special transatlantic ambiance. It is also possible to customize the whole of Escal’Atlantic, a total surface of more than 3,700 square metres, for up to 600 guests. “The Captain’s Port of Call”, “Legendary Cruise” or “Transatlantic Crossing”, are only some of the evocative names for gala evenings which fully take advantage of this extraordinary venue.

Among the numerous French and international companies which have already come aboard Escal’Atlantic for outstanding events, there are: Cartier, Mercedes-Benz, Airbus, STX Europe, Vinci, Orange France, Société Générale, Sanofi-Aventis, Oméga Pharma, Dior, L'Oréal, TOTAL, EDF, Spie, The Worldwide Network of Port Cities and many mor.

A large range of events Visit Saint-Nazaire provides customized service and turnkey products in a large range of events. > Gala evenings aboard Escal’Atlantic (see previous page). > Seminars and professional meetings, for between 15 and 466 participants For example : One full day seminar with leisure activities. - One day combining work meeting, coffee break, lunch and incentive activities (which can be guided tours of the shipyard, the Airbus factory, the harbour terminals or various team-building activities), starting at 54,50€ per participant (exclusive of tax). Residential seminar. - Two days / one night with access to the meeting rooms, coffee breaks, accommodation in single rooms, full board, starting at 160€ per participant (exclusive of tax, accommodation in a three-star hotel). > Conventions Visit Saint-Nazaire can put at companies’ disposal various venues with an urban and maritime feel in the “Ville-Port” area, thus turning the harbour area into one big location which can adapt perfectly to major events. In June 2012, the conference of the Worldwide Network of Port Cities took place here in this format, with 450 delegates from 46 countries benefiting from direct translations in three languages. Comments from both the organizers and delegates were unanimously enthusiastic.

Event logistics: just one contact to manage everything Visit Saint-Nazaire’s considerable experience working with local partners and service providers guarantees customized solutions to best meet the specifications of every project. Projects benefit from the expertise of a dedicated team, from the organization of tours and visits, motivational events, gala evenings, to technical and logistical matters, communication and marketing. Visit Saint-Nazaire shares the goals and hosting policy of various organizations in the region: •

It closely works with partners such as the Cité Nantes Events Centre, the Journey to Nantes, the Atlantia Events Centre in La Baule and the Tourist Board in La Baule ;

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It is affiliated to the Nantes Saint-Nazaire International Agency Nantes Just Imagine and has signed the charter for hosting events;

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It is a member of the Destination Affaires business club in the Guérande Peninsula.

Contacts For business events: Ms Valérie PICARD – phone 00 33 228 54 08 02 / 00 33 684 80 95 40 – [email protected]

For the press: Ms Andrea KLOSE - phone 00 33 228 54 08 05 / 00 336 89 88 29 05 – [email protected]

For all enquiries, estimates etc.: [email protected]

Brochures and data sheets can be downloaded on www.visit-saint-nazaire.com > Groups & MICE.

How to get to Saint-Nazaire By plane: • • •

Nantes International Airport (45 minutes by car) Business airfield in Saint-Nazaire Airfield in La Baule Escoublac (20 minutes by car)

By train: • • • •

Saint-Nazaire has a TGV (High-speed train) railway station Direct and daily links by TGV to Paris (2 hours 50) Direct and daily links by TGV to Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Paris Airport (4 hours) Via Nantes, daily links to major French cities such as Lyon, Lille, Strasbourg

By car: • •

Approx. 4 hours from Paris on the A11 motorway Approx. 50 minutes from Nantes on a dual carriageway