Festival Tips: What I Wish I Knew Before Cannes

• Dress comfortably but cute. You’ll be walking everywhere, so bring comfy shoes and airy clothes—but still look put-together since it’s a professional setting and there are tons of photo ops.

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• Go to the smaller talks! They’re usually way more insightful, less crowded, and you actually get to talk to the speakers after.​

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• Make sure your LinkedIn is ready to go before you arrive. You’ll be meeting a ton of people, and it helps to look polished when you’re connecting afterward.

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• Talk to literally everyone—you never know who you’re standing next to, and networking is such a big part of this experience.

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• Bring travel-sized deodorant, perfume, a notebook (it's way better than your phone for taking notes), a refillable water bottle, and a FAN (trust me). 

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• Go to every booth at least once—you’ll get cool experiences and a ton of free stuff, so bring a duffel bag to carry it all back home with you.

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• Go up to speakers after their talks and ask a question—it’s one of the easiest ways to make a real impression.

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• And don’t skip the Creator’s Rooftop. They have great food, free drinks, and it’s the perfect place to take a break midday.

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• Go in prepared, be open to everything, and take full advantage of the experience—you’ll get so much out of it.

 

• Be open to expanding your mindset about your career!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • ​As a PR major, I initially struggled to see how everything at Cannes fit into what I want to do, but I quickly realized how connected everything is. PR is all about storytelling, branding, strategy, and creativity, and there’s so much here that ties into that. I left with a broader perspective and numerous ideas to take back with me.