Grimaldi Forum in Monaco: How the world-class congress centre celebrates its anniversary
In its 25th year and after a major reconstruction, the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco has received a prestigious award as the best international congress centre. The M&IT Awards, presented in London, confirmed the leadership of the Monegasque venue among 200 contenders from around the world. This is already the 20th award in the history of the centre, which has surpassed even competitors from Barcelona and PortAventura.
🏛 Congress Palace with princely grandeur
Grimaldi Forum is not just a congress centre, but an architectural symbol of modern Monaco. The 35,000 m² building is located between the sea and the famous Monte-Carlo Casino. After the recent reconstruction, the centre received:
- New state-of-the-art conference rooms
- Improved acoustics in the main hall for 4000 seats
- Modern catering zones
“This award is recognition of our philosophy: combining princely luxury with innovative solutions,” notes the centre’s director Sylvie Biancheri.
In 2025, the Grimaldi Forum hosted 85 international events.
🌍 International recognition: twenty awards for quality
The M&IT Awards is considered the “Oscar” in the field of business tourism. The jury consists of 500 experts from the UK. Grimaldi Forum has won in categories such as:
- Best international congress centre (2025)
- For sustainable tourism (2019)
- For innovation (2015)
“45% of clients return to us — the best indicator in the industry,” emphasizes Biancheri.
🎭 Culture and business under one roof
The uniqueness of the Grimaldi Forum lies in the combination of business and cultural events. In addition to congresses, the following take place here:
- Exhibitions of contemporary art
- Ballet and opera premieres
- Concerts by global stars
The main hall of the centre can be transformed into a theatre with 1800 seats in 6 hours.
🏆 Competitors and advantages: why choose Monaco
In the final of the award, Grimaldi Forum surpassed:
- International Congress Centre of Barcelona
- Congress Hall of PortAventura
Key advantages of the Monegasque venue:
- Safety and prestige of the location
- Staff speaking 8 languages
- Own beach club for event participants
🌱 Ecology as part of the philosophy
Since 2020, the centre has been implementing the “Green Forum” program:
- 100% of electricity from renewable sources
- Recycling system for 90% of waste
- Partnership with local food suppliers
“Sustainable development is not a trend, but our responsibility to the Mediterranean,” the centre’s management states.
🚀 Plans for the new 25th anniversary
For the anniversary, the centre has announced:
- Loyalty program for regular clients
- Collaborations with museums on the French Riviera
- Digital solutions for hybrid events
By 2030, investments in modernization will amount to 15 million euros.
— — — Photo: x360o / Pexels