Bienvenue à Paris: The 2024 Opening Ceremony

For the World, the Olympics are a time for us to come together and celebrate a long-lasting tradition of athletes leaving their mark on the world. For planners, it's a treasure trove of inspiration—driven by themes, culture, and trends that ripple out from this grand event to help shape our creative designs.

If you were like me, you were glued to the TV, captivated by the stunning display of creativity and drama that the event producers meticulously crafted - it was nothing short of a showstopper. Most blogs are going to point out the obvious, but in true Access fashion, we’re going to dig a bit deeper. Let's explore the magic of Paris 2024 and uncover key takeaways that will influence the world of special events.

Setting The Stage: Think Outside the Arena (or Ballroom)

Like corporate planners looking for an offsite event space, the Olympics wanted to get out of the stadium and bring the Opening Ceremony to the streets.  Paris seamlessly wove its iconic landscape into the fabric of the Olympics, creating a unique and immersive experience by making the city their stadium! The beauty of the Paris skyline was their backdrop as the Seine River anchored the parade of Olympians floating through, while bridges acted as décor and stages for various musical performances (new & old) to easily meld with the iconic history of this beautiful city. Not only was this a great choice to showcase the city, but it was also an incredibly creative use of resources.  While the rain might have dampened the streets, it sure didn’t dim this event’s sparkle.

Pro Tip:  While the weather didn’t dampen this event, it could make yours a bit soggy. Ensure you always have a backup weather plan when doing an outdoor event (on the minds of just about every meeting and event planner watching live).

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Coloration: Paris in Pink

Colors have a way of making us feel something, good or bad – and that feeling resonates for people in different ways. There was one color that stood out from the stereotypical colors we’ve seen in the past. The use of pink was everything to me. But this isn’t just any pink; it’s romantic, it’s dreamy, it’s quintessentially Parisian. It’s like living in a Monet painting, and I am here for it. From the feather poms that were used in the Lady Gaga performance to the filter on iconic French art and scenery that was placed along the river with a pink glow; this well thought out inclusion alluded to the romanticism that is Paris. Coloration at its core will make you feel something and that is exactly what Paris intended to do and succeeded.

Pro Tip:  While every company wants to ensure their brand colors are prominently displayed; try a new approach and inspire your attendees with a statement color that could be tied into your overall theming for the year.

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Culture: A Parisian Tapestry

When a company hosts their corporate meeting in a new destination, they facilitate a shared experience that allows their attendees to come together and be immersed in the local culture, all the while experiencing something new and impactful. The Olympics are also meant to do the same and to show the world what makes the chosen city stand out; and the culture of Paris was centerstage Friday evening like no other.

Let’s start with the pièce de resistance.  The reintroduction of Notre Dame’s bells. After the devastating fire in 2019, hearing those bells ring out again is nothing short of magical. It’s a symbol of resilience, of history preserved and celebrated. Paris is showing the world that it’s not just about moving forward but also about honoring and cherishing the past.

Paris and fashion go hand in hand like needle and thread (pun intended).  It’s those fashionable trends that come from the runways of Paris and trickle down into how we design corporate events. The fact that they took the iconic fashion show and used the silhouette of the Eiffel Tower as the runway left me wanting and craving more.  It also helped break up the programing and keep us engaged in what typically could be a lengthy (some might say boring) introduction of each team.

And can we talk about the medals? Let’s just say, they are to die for. To be presented with a medal is a lifetime achievement… but done so on Louis Vuitton trays?! Come on, not only are they an iconic French brand, but also a work of art. But wait, there’s more – the medals themselves contain metal carved from the Eiffel Tower. Yes, you read that right. Every Olympian gets to take home a piece of Paris, a tangible memory of their triumph in the City of Light.

Pro Tip: By infusing the charm and culture of what makes your chosen city special, it will resonate with your attendees and will help make them feel part of something bigger than themselves.

Storytelling: The Parisian Narrative

Every element of the opening Ceremony of the Olympics told a story – the story of France, of Paris, and its indelible mark on the world. From the French Revolution to the runways of haute couture, Paris has always been a beacon of innovation and style - And this ceremony was no different.  There is a story to be told.

The athletes are the protagonists, with Paris as the enchanting backdrop. The use of the city’s landmarks, the celebration of French artistry, and the inclusive spirit all weave together to create a narrative that’s as captivating as a Victor Hugo novel. It’s a love letter to Paris and its global influence – in revolution, in fashion, in design.

Throughout the night, the story of Paris, France was encapsulated on the world stage, and it made us feel it. From the Marie Antoniette beheaded singers blended with the heavy metal rock sounds, to the emotional moment of red streamers representing the bloodshed from the movement, there were so many simple nods to iconic French heritage and key moments in history that all came together to make this such a memorable night.

The Louve scene where the artwork are all seen scurrying around trying to find the missing Mona Lisa, which was so beautifully done, paired with the gentleman playing the piano so tenderly in the rain – in the rain! It was equally as beautiful as it was entertaining to watch.

Not only did Paris change up the typical ‘cauldron lighting’ to be an ember glowing hot air balloon, but they were again able to weave in the French heritage. This element paid homage to the country’s hot air balloon history.  Did you know the first ever hot air balloon took off and landed in Paris in 1783?

The best was saved for last, with the anticipated return of Céline Dion. Céline closed out the opening ceremony with her first performance since she announced her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome in 2022.  Set at the base of the Eiffel Tower, Celine performed “L’Hymne à l’Amour” (Hymn to Love) by the French singer Édith Piaf to close out the iconic evening.

The 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony was a testament to the power of diversity, the allure of French culture, and the art of storytelling. It celebrated everything that makes Paris extraordinary—and was nothing short of fabulous.

Pro Tip: Crafting a compelling narrative that intertwines history, culture, and emotion will elevate your event, making it an unforgettable shared experience.

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