#SBS23 Guest Spotlight: Paris Entertainment Company

Ahead of TheStadiumBusiness Summit 2023, Nicolas Dupeux, Chief Executive of Paris Entertainment Company, discusses what’s on the agenda for the organisation in the lead-up to next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in the city.

Paris Entertainment Company manages three venues in the French capital: Accor Arena, Bataclan and Adidas Arena.

Dupeux has headed up Accor Arena since January 2018 and assumed responsibility for Adidas Arena in July 2020 and Bataclan in November 2021. He previously worked as Director of Business Solutions at Disneyland Paris.

Accor Arena will host basketball, artistic gymnastics, trampolining and wheelchair basketball events during Paris 2024. Adidas Arena will stage badminton, rhythmic gymnastics, para badminton and para powerlifting during the Games.

Dupeux recently joined the board of directors at European Arenas Association (EAA). He will be directly repsonsible for EAA members from the central European region.

TheStadiumBusiness.com: What are the key current challenges and opportunities in the arena marketplace?

Nicolas Dupeux: “The challenge is to succeed in renewing the very strong enthusiasm for entertainment which was expressed by the audience during the previous season, with impressive record sales and sold-out events.

“We are trying to diversify revenues in order to meet growing investment needs to continue to offer a venue at the top of international standards and an ever stronger and enhanced experience, thus fostering customer loyalty.

“Being more and more exemplary in terms of CSR (energy, water, inclusiveness, easy access for all, environmental impact), is a priority. Productions and federations are increasingly involved and the venues, including their service providers, must support this major change in our industry.”

TSB: What are the most interesting trends you are witnessing in the arena sector?

ND: “Developing an experiential approach and customising the experience to each audience (B2C and B2B).

“The increasingly active involvement of partners – upstream and downstream of events – who are looking for originality/pop-up events/activations and to go beyond the simple visibility of their logo.

“In terms of digital tools, trends include increasing and enhancing the experience, as well as smoothening the purchase and resale experience. Digital tools also support organisers to sell better, sell more, and amplify their event.”

TSB: What’s on the roadmap for Paris Entertainment Company over the next six to 12 months?

ND: “To deepen Paris Entertainment Company’s status as a reference in our industry with its unique offer (three venues, three capacities, three positionings).

“Anchoring our transformation around a ‘destination venue’ model, and hosting Olympic competitions for Paris 2024 at the Accor Arena and at the Adidas Arena.”

TSB: What are you looking forward to most about the Summit?

ND: “It is crucial to keep on extending our knowledge about the entertainment market. I am looking forward to meeting my counterparts to share our best practices and impulse synergies.

“It’s always beneficial to keep up to date with what the other venues and our industry are doing. A summit like this one can also enable new innovative projects with brands.”

JOIN NICOLAS DUPEUX – AND HUNDREDS OF COLLEAGUES FROM THE SECTOR – AT THESTADIUMBUSINESS SUMMIT 2023 IN MANCHESTER ON 28-29 JUNE. SIGN UP HERE.