From a Single Office to a Nationwide Web
Founded in 2010 in Mulhouse, eastern France, INNOV’events has climbed in just over a decade to become the country’s leading corporate event-agency network. The brand now unites 40+ locations—from Lille to Marseille, via Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes and Strasbourg—delivering more than ****0 B2B events every year.
Its secret sauce is a deliberately “glocal” franchise model: each branch is run by a local entrepreneur who taps into a national back-office—procurement, ESG, creative studios—guaranteeing buying power and consistent quality.
Brussels and Barcelona: First Bridgeheads Abroad
In 2023 and 2024 INNOV’events crossed its first borders. The Brussels office already stages European-scale conventions for institutions and fintech scale-ups, while Barcelona bets on universities, the 22@ start-up hub and Fira Gran Via tech expos to build its client base. Together, the two pilot markets generated almost ****million in revenue in their inaugural years.
An Export-Ready Blueprint
The Alsace head office remains lean—just a dozen staff—but relies on an established network of scenographers, XR studios and “locavore” caterers. Local agencies replicate the method: sourcing off-beat venues, crafting story-driven scenography, and handing clients turnkey ESG reports (carbon footprint, responsible purchasing).
Europe Firmly in the Crosshairs
With an average Google rating of 4.8/5 and a client repeat-rate of 82 %, INNOV’events has set an ambitious course: ten new European offices by end-2027. Target countries:
- United Kingdom – London
- Spain – Madrid, Seville
- Germany – Munich, Frankfurt
- Netherlands – Amsterdam
- Italy – Milan, Rome
- Portugal – Lisbon, Porto
“Whether you need a team-building in Lyon or a convention in Lisbon, companies want a partner who delivers the same standard everywhere. Our network structure makes us naturally ‘Europeanisable’,” says **** ****.
A Buoyant Market, Headwinds or Not
Industry body Unimev reports that the French B2B event market bounced back to 107 % of its pre-Covid level in 2024. Growth is fuelled by two forces: the full-scale return to in-person gatherings and intense ESG pressure pushing procurement teams toward suppliers who can prove their impact. INNOV’events ticks both boxes: local proximity (fewer travel kilometres, terroir sourcing) and systematic carbon accounting.
Franchise Power: Agility Meets Resilience
Unlike a fully integrated chain, each INNOV’events outlet is financially autonomous—an asset when weathering shocks such as logistics inflation or calendar disruption. “Our model preserves SME agility while delivering the fire-power of a national group,” **** sums up.
Next Up: Tech and Data
Headquarters is developing a proprietary real-time ROI dashboard (eNPS, MQL, CO₂) for clients—industrialising reporting and extending the competitive edge ahead of planned forays into Germany and the Benelux.
A Telling Success
From one small Mulhouse agency fifteen years ago, INNOV’events now spans every major French city and two European capitals. Its stated aim—to become Europe’s go-to corporate event partner with local roots—looks increasingly within reach. For companies seeking a provider who blends terroir flair with international standards, the message is clear: the stage is now continental, and INNOV’events plans to be both backstage… and under the spotlight.
