Advice.
Advice.
Festival Advice
Talk to everyone. Seriously. Walking into the week, it can be really intimidating at first. I remember thinking I had nothing valuable to add to a conversation with a CMO, but I quickly realized that wasn't true. Everyone is there because they love creativity and want to connect. Some of my favorite conversations happened while waiting in line or sitting next to someone before a talk. You truly never know who you're standing next to or where that connection could lead.
Festival Advice
Get there early! I cannot stress this enough. I thought arriving 15 minutes before a talk was plenty of time...I was very wrong. The lines get long, venues fill up quickly, and some talks even reach capacity. If there's a session you really want to see, give yourself extra time so you don't miss it. Also, don't feel like you have to stick with your friends all day long. If there's a talk you're excited about and they want to go somewhere else, split up!
Trip Advice
Believe everyone when they tell you it's hot. Meryl and Sami warned us before the trip, but I still wasn't prepared. It is HOT. Pack lightweight clothes, comfortable shoes, and buy yourself a portable fan before you leave. Trust me, you'll use it every single day.
Trip Advice
Leave room in your suitcase. I got to France with my suitcase weighing 49.5 pounds, thinking I was all set. I definitely wasn't. Between shopping, souvenirs, festival merch, and all the little things you pick up throughout the week, you'll end up bringing home way more than you planned.
Trip Advice
Would I recommend this trip? Absolutely. A million times yes. This experience completely changed the way I think about creativity, networking, and my future career. I met so many incredible people and genuinely learned more in two weeks than I have in an entire semester of classes. I left feeling inspired, motivated, and excited for what's next in a way that's hard to put into words. Everyone says it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and after experiencing it myself, I couldn't agree more.
Festival Advice
Don't just go to the talks with the biggest names. Meeting famous people is definitely cool, but I honestly learned so much more from the smaller sessions. Those speakers shared advice that actually applied to where I am in my career, and they were much easier to connect with afterward. Don't overlook the smaller talks—they ended up being some of my favorites.
Take advantage of the food trucks!
Closing Statement