Ultimate Guide to Cannes Lions

Ultimate Guide to Cannes Lions

Cannes Lions isn’t your typical industry advertising event. It’s where 12,000 + marketers, creatives, ad-tech pros, and brand CMOs trade fluorescent boardrooms for rosé, rooftops, and super-yacht decks in the French Riviera each year.  

Over five consecutive festivals I’ve sprint-walked the Croisette in 34°C heat, racked up breakfast at cafés that doubled as deal rooms, and learned exactly which panels are worth missing for a chance coffee queue conversation.

This year I’m not making the trip, so instead of squeezing in another 30-meeting week and a midnight dash to the Gutter Bar, I’m turning my hard-won playbook into something useful. Consider this the ultimate guide to Cannes Lions that I wish I’d had my rookie year. These are equal parts survival manual and business strategy.

Inside you’ll find the practical details people forget to mention: why “no drinks before 5 p.m.” keeps deals on track, how a 20-minute hill walk can undo a perfect schedule, and why the best conversation of my career started while waiting for a session to open its doors.

Whether you’re a brand marketer, agency lead, or ad-tech seller heading to Cannes Lions for the first time, these tips will help you avoid rookie mistakes, lock in real business, and fly home with more than a tote bag and a sunburn.

25 Essential Tips to Cannes Lions

Tip 1 – Define Your Mission Before Arrival

With panels, parties, beach cabanas, super yachts and “quick coffees” vying for your attention, Cannes Lions can distract and overwhelm even the most seasoned pros. Before you land, decide exactly what success looks like: closing or materially advancing an in-flight deal; reconnecting with five to six senior agency partners you rarely see in person; sitting down with key SSPs and partner DSPs to grill them on the newest features you can bring back to clients; and attending at least one session that sharpens your POV on contextual, CTV, or retail media. The mantra must be Fail to plan, plan to fail, or as I prefer the 6Ps – Prior Preparation Prevents a Piss-Poor Performance. So write your mission on the first page of your notebook (or pin it in Notes) and share it with your team. When the eighth “can we grab 15 minutes?” hits your inbox, use this roadmap to decide whether to accept, defer, or politely decline.

Tip 2 – Think Strategically About Flights to Cannes. 

For a few years, multiple flight delays taught me that routing through London or other European cities meant inevitable Sunday delays and missing meetings scheduled straight after arrival. 

For the last few years, I fly direct into Nice’s Côte d’Azur Airport on Emirates from Dubai, but many U.S. carriers now offer direct routes too

For the last 2 years I arrived Saturday, depart Wednesday. Most of the key networking happens Sunday to Wednesday morning. 

Consistency is king. Emirates has been rock-solid for on-time arrivals and that crucial Wednesday departure (which gets me back home to Sydney late Friday night just in time for the weekend). 

Bonus networking at the lounge and on the plane. Some of the planes from London are full of AdTech people. One year, lining up to board in Nice, I struck up a chat with then Aussie F1 Driver Daniel Ricciardo—proving you never know who’ll be in your row.

Tip 3 – Book Your Accommodation Early, Like, Really Early

All the beachfront hotels and top Airbnbs are snapped up literally 12 months in advance. My strategy? The moment Cannes wraps, I lock in my spot for next year, ideally 2–3 streets back from the Croisette (walkability without beachfront premium) and must-have air conditioning. You’ll pay a fortune for anything with a view. 

We used Airbnb once and got burned by a cancellation a month before arrival – lesson learned. Now I work with a local “fixer” who lines up multiple options, from boutique apartments to serviced residences. Last year he told me organized 300+ rooms. If you’re stuck, DM me for his contact info.

Location matters: one year we stayed opposite the Rue du Marché—fantastic vibe but a hike if your first meeting is near Hotel Martinez on the east end. Another year, Mike and I were on Rue Florian—six great restaurants, but club music thumped until 1 a.m. We adapted by embracing the energy: quick shirt-change, back out again. Unless your forced, don’t be tempted by scenic hillside spots—they can be 20 to 60 minutes’ walk from the action and sometimes sketchy at night.

Tip 4 – Plan Your Transport and Don’t Rely on Uber

I’ve learned the hard way that Uber in Cannes can be hit or miss—one year tensions with taxi drivers got so bad that an Uber driver’s car was set alight near Nice airport. Nowadays, I always pre-book a private transfer (I’ve used the same driver for years; DM me if you need his details).

Once you’re in town, ditch rideshares for your feet, walking the Croisette is often faster than crawling through gridlock. Hosts of villa events on the hills usually arrange shuttles; just confirm the pickup point when you RSVP.

Tip 5 – Register for Every Relevant Event… Right Now

Party lists and events sometimes fill up in seconds (like the Spotify concerts which have featured artists) The key is RSVP early and cast a wide net. Spend an hour combing through event guides, Cannes party calendars, and AdTech community threads. If something looks even remotely useful, register. You can always decline later, but you won’t get a second chance to RSVP.

Pro tip:

📸 Screenshot your confirmations – not all organizers send calendar invites or reminders.

📝 Keep a separate note or folder with all your accepted events so you can navigate quickly.

🎉 Be ready for last-minute invites too – some of the best events get planned the night before, and often come through new contacts, casual meetups, or brand reps on the ground.

The goal? Options. Cannes Lions rewards those who are both prepared and flexible

Tip 6 – Plan Meetings Well in Advance

We start at least a month before Cannes Lions by creating a shared Google Doc wishlist of everyone we want to meet. Whether they’ve confirmed attendance or not and include a short note on why each conversation matters. Link every name back to their Salesforce record so follow-ups and reporting happen automatically. Then set up a custom Calendly booking page just for Cannes that syncs with your Google Calendar: this solves global time-zone headaches and centralises phone numbers, meeting locations, and dial-in links. A week out, have your assistant confirm each appointment, and always prepare three contact methods (WhatsApp, SMS/iMessage, plus email) in case someone’s tracking via a different channel. Finally, keep backup prospects on standby nearby so if a slot frees up, you’re ready to pivot.

Tip 7 – Map Out Learning & Logistical Anchors First

Before you lock in meetings, drop every can’t-miss keynote, panel, and brand activation into your calendar. This does two things: ensures you don’t skip sessions you actually care about, and shows you where you’ll be in Cannes at any given time. The Croisette stretches over 2 km from end to end, so schussing from Amazon Port on the west to Microsoft Beach on the east can easily take 20 minutes in the heat. Build in at least 30 minutes between appointments to avoid frantic sprints and missed handshakes.

Tip 8 – Structure Your Day for Maximum Meetings

Cannes Lions can be chaotic, but with the right rhythm, you can fit in a huge number of meaningful touchpoints. Last year, I did 33 meetings in four days by sticking to a structure:

• 🥐 Breakfast meeting (8:00–9:00am) at a reliable café
• 📍 7–8 meetings/day, each ~30 minutes with 30-min buffer slots
• 🍸 Drinks meeting during sunset (prime networking hour)
• 🍽  Dinner booking each night

It sounds intense, but when you’re only seeing many of these global contacts once a year, it’s worth the effort.

Pro tip: Keep location in mind—walking the Croisette takes time, especially from the Microsoft Beach (east) to the Amazon Port (west).

Tip 9 – Dress for Distance – Not the Runway

You’ll walk more than you think. Last year I did over 50k steps. From the Palais to beach clubs to pop-up activations, comfortable shoes are non-negotiable—even if they’re not your flashiest pair. If you’re hopping on and off yachts, choose slip-on footwear that won’t slow you down.

For men, linen shirts and shorts are perfect for the South-of-France vibe—light, breathable, and camera-ready. Don’t shy away from dressy shorts; they strike the right balance between style and comfort.

I don’t profess to know much about women’s fashion, but I’ve seen that flowy dresses, wide-leg linen pants, and dressy shorts work well—stylish enough for meetings, yet cool in 34 °C heat.

And hats are truly essential: most streets and beachfront queues offer almost no shade, so bring something that protects your face. I’m a cap guy myself, but fedora-style hats are on-trend and practical.

Tip 10 – Stay Hydrated

It sounds basic, but dehydration and hangry meltdowns are real in 34 °C heat and non-stop pace. Carry a small refillable water bottle, you can top up nearly anywhere. I pack snacks like almonds or muesli bars so you’re never hunting for food between meetings.

Tip 11 – What to Wear at Cannes Lions 

Cannes is hot, humid, and filled with walking—so pack accordingly. Style matters, but comfort wins the day.

What Here’s what works:

👔 For men: Linen shirts, breathable polos, and tailored shorts are perfectly fine. Think “summer smart casual.” Shoes that are easy to slip on and off are essential—especially if you’re stepping on and off yachts.

👗 For women: Flowy dresses, wide-leg linen pants, and dressy shorts are cool, stylish, and flexible enough for both daytime meetings and evening events.

🧢 Accessories: Hats are non-negotiable. Most event spaces and queues have minimal shade. Whether you’re into caps or fedoras, bring one. And don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses

Pro tip: The Croisette is deceptively long. You’ll easily rack up 10,000+ steps a day so be sure to wear shoes you trust.

Tip 12 – Pace Yourself with Alcohol

Carrying on from staying well hydrated, Cannes Lions is a marathon, not a sprint. With rosé flowing from late morning and rooftop parties kicking off before sunset, it’s tempting to start early. For me, it’s very much a business trip with back-to-back meetings, so I have a strict rule: no alcohol before 5 p.m. That way, you stay sharp, hydrated, and in control.

And while rosé may be the Croisette’s signature sip, don’t feel obliged. Cannes boasts Champagnes and French wines you rarely find elsewhere. My go-to? A chilled glass of bubbles. 

Pro tip: Nothing good happens after midnight. Despite the peer pressure to head to the Gutter Bar, head back, rest up, and be ready to hit the ground running tomorrow.

Tip 13 – Bring Two Rechargeable Battery Packs

Your mobile phone is your lifeline at Cannes Lions for calendars, maps, photos and on-the-fly notes. Don’t let it die. I bring two high-capacity power banks: one in your pocket, one charging back in the room. By rotating them, you’ll never scramble for an outlet or feel tethered to a wall. I opt for the Apple MagSafe ones so that cables are not required. 

Tip 14 – Download Google Maps Offline

International data roaming can get pricey, and when thousands of delegates flood Cannes Lions, local phone networks can choke. Before you board your flight, open Google Maps and download offline maps for both Cannes / Nice area. You’ll thank me later. 

Tip 15 – You Probably Don’t Need a Delegate Pass 

Unless you’re in a creative role, on a jury, or dead-set on attending Palais sessions and awards seminars, you can safely skip the €3,000+ delegate badge to Cannes Lions. For AdTech, media, and data pros, all the value is outside the Palais—on the beaches, rooftops, cafés, ports, and along the Croisette. I’ve never been locked out of a single meaningful meeting or party for lack of a pass.

Tip 16 – Join the AdTech Cannes Forum

Don’t fly blind—plug into Jon Walsh’s Cannes WhatsApp group. It’s the real-time back-channel where media, ad-tech, and data pros share last-minute party invites, pop-up activations, and off-the-radar meeting spots. Introduce yourself early, contribute intel, and you’ll have a built-in network the moment you touch down.

Tip 17 – Set Up a QR Code for Your Contact Details

It’s 2025—everyone should have a QR code ready to go. Whether it links to your LinkedIn profile, a digital business card, or a custom landing page with your contact info and calendar, it’s a frictionless way to exchange details in a fast-paced environment. You don’t want to be fumbling with phones or manually typing emails in the heat. Pro tip: Save your QR code as your lock screen or pin it to your Favorites in Photos so you can flash it instantly when needed.

Tip 18 – Don’t Underestimate Business Cards

Sure, QR codes are great—but at Cannes Lions, business cards are still the fastest and most reliable exchange method. You’re often standing, holding a drink, or between meetings—passing a card is easier than unlocking a phone or dealing with spotty Wi-Fi.

I always carry a small stack. But the key is how you capture the moment. I snap a photo of every card I receive and immediately record a quick note—who they are, what we talked about, any next steps. I send these straight to my assistant, and she logs them directly into Salesforce, so nothing falls through the cracks.

Pro tip: Business cards disappear fast—especially in beach bags, badge holders, or jacket pockets. The photo backup is your safety net.

Tip 19 –  Use Voice Notes to Capture Meeting Intel

The days at Cannes Lions are a blur and after 5 or 6 meetings, everything starts to blend together. That’s why I record a voice memo right after each meeting, capturing the essentials while it’s still fresh. I send those notes straight to my assistant, who logs them in Salesforce immediately with meeting details, lead source, and any promised follow-up items. It keeps our data clean, our pipeline moving, and makes post-event outreach so much easier.

Pro tip: If you’re solo, even recording a quick voice note into your own phone can be a lifesaver when you’re reviewing conversations later.

Tip 20 – Set Up Salesforce (or Your CRM) with Email Templates Before You Go. 

Don’t wait until you’re back from Cannes Lions to start thinking about lead tracking. Before you even board the plane, we set up:

• Lead source = Cannes
• Lead Description is the year (e.g. 2025)
• A dedicated Salesforce Campaign for the event – so everything is trackable.
• Preloaded email templates for media kits, targeting info, one-pagers, etc.

This structure helps us track every meeting, every follow-up, and ultimately the ROI of Cannes. It also makes it easy to build next year’s shortlist, since past attendees are usually back again.

Tip 21 – Follow-Up Timing Is Everything

Cannes Lions is noisy. Literally and figuratively. Sending follow-ups during the festival week? They’ll get buried, missed and forgotten. 

Instead, we schedule all our follow up for the Tuesday or Wednesday after Cannes. That’s when people are back at their desks, inboxes are calming down, and they’re finally ready to reconnect.

Because we’ve built out templated follow-ups in advance (media kits, targeting decks, campaign recaps, etc.) my assistant writes up drafts for me so all I do is review and send with a personalized touch from the original meeting.

Timing + preparation = results.

Tip 22 – Serendipity is Cannes Lions 

Some of the most valuable meetings in Cannes  don’t happen at the Carlton or on a yacht. They happen in the wild while walking down a side street. 

One year, I struck up a random conversation with someone in line for a panel. Turns out, he was the head of marketing at a major pharmaceutical brand. We kept in touch, and two years later, we’re still doing business.

Another example, while walking to dinner last year I ran into Australian of Year, Dylan Alcott who was in Cannes for an Award.

This is Cannes Lions magic:

• Waiting in line for an event? Say hello.
• Sitting solo at a Croisette café? Someone will join.
• Standing at the bar at a rooftop party? Strike up a conversation.
• Sharing a bench outside the Palais? Ask what they’ve seen that’s been good.

People are more open, less guarded, and expecting to network. Unlike other conferences, Cannes is designed for chance encounters—and everyone’s wearing multiple hats.

Moral of the story:

✅ Be curious.

✅ Be approachable.

✅ Be intentional.

That unplanned coffee chat or line conversation might lead to the most impactful connection of your entire trip.

Tip 23 – Expect (and Embrace) Last-Minute Plans

At Cannes, plans are fluid. You’ll meet someone in the morning who invites you to a dinner that didn’t exist the night before. Or a brand will announce a yacht event during happy hour. These last-minute pivots aren’t the exception—they’re the norm.

Some of the best connections and deals we’ve made happened thanks to being open, available, and quick to say yes. That doesn’t mean overbooking—but it does mean leaving room in your calendar for spontaneous value.

Pro tip: Always carry a backup outfit if you’re out for the day—you never know when a 5pm chat turns into a 7pm dinner with someone important. 

Tip 24 – Leaving Cannes: Plan Your Exit Strategy

It might sound simple, but getting out of Cannes smoothly requires almost as much planning as getting in. After a jam-packed week of meetings, panels, and rosé-fueled networking, the last thing you want is a chaotic departure.

Book your airport transfer early. Don’t rely on Uber or taxis last minute. Pre-arranged drivers are your best bet—especially if you’re leaving Wednesday or Thursday morning, when thousands of attendees are doing the exact same thing.

Leave plenty of time at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport.

Mid-week, the airport is slammed. I’ve nearly missed connecting flights to Europe more than once—not because of delays, but because it took over an hour just to get inside the airport, then check in, clear security and clear customs. 

Here’s the departure game plan:

• Fly out Wednesday or Thursday—that’s the natural exodus.
• Factor in Croisette congestion and traffic + airport congestion. Even your driver will likely suggest an early pickup.
• Arrive at the airport 2.5–3 hours before your flight, even for intra-Europe.
• Use lounge access if you have it—it’s a calm oasis before the flight and is great for networking.

Tip 25 – Daily on LinkedIn During the Week

If you’re in Cannes, you need to show you’re in Cannes. Become an influencer on your socials. Daily LinkedIn posts are a lightweight but powerful way to stay visible to clients, prospects, and peers—all without hard selling.

Use each post to share:

 👥 A conversation or meeting highlight

 🎤 An insight from a panel or speaker

📸 A photo of a session, beach setup, or industry event

💡 A quick takeaway or POV related to your space

Take lots of photos throughout the week—they’ll become valuable content for both real-time and post-event posts. 

Even short, real-time posts build credibility and keep you top-of-mind. People watch quietly, even if they don’t engage right away and they’ll remember who was actively involved when they’re back at their desk the week after. I’ve even picked up last-minute meetings from people who saw my updates on LinkedIn.

Pro tip: Tag people you met (when appropriate), use relevant hashtags (#CannesLions, #AdTech, #Marketing), and always include a small takeaway that offers value.

Final Thoughts on Cannes Lions

Cannes Lions isn’t just about the awards, it’s about the conversations, connections, and collisions that happen in between. Whether you’re on a yacht, in a panel queue, or walking the Croisette in 34°C heat, every moment is a networking opportunity.

If it’s your first year, don’t stress about getting everything perfect. You’ll learn fast. But if you’re prepared with a plan, good shoes, some snacks, and a little flexibility you’ll leave Cannes with more than just a sunburn. You’ll leave with deals in motion, new partners, and ideas you wouldn’t have uncovered anywhere else.

And finally, have fun. Cannes has a magic and buzz to it. People are relaxed, open, and genuinely curious. Talk to strangers. Say yes. Drink water. And take time to appreciate how rare it is for the entire global industry to be in one place.

Here’s to your most productive and memorable Cannes Lion yet.