Between March and October, Cannes and Monaco host some of the most international business events in Europe. On a stand, in a private lounge or aboard a yacht, a negotiation is often decided in a few minutes — and rarely in a single language.

The events where an interpreter makes the difference

MIPIM, every March at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, brings together investors, developers and public authorities from around the world. The discussions involve amounts and commitments that leave no room for approximation.

The Cannes Yachting Festival in September, and the Monaco Yacht Show a few days later in Port Hercule, gather shipyards, brokers, owners and buyers. A visit on board, a discussion about an option or a charter clause calls for precise vocabulary.

Add to these the major Cannes trade shows — Cannes Lions in June, MIPCOM in October — as well as corporate seminars, product launches and the dinners that extend these days.

We were there again this year: at the Cannes Yachting Festival, meeting shipyards, brokers and luxury concierge services.

Which type of interpreting to choose

Liaison interpreting is the most common format at a trade show. The interpreter accompanies one person or a small delegation and renders the exchange in both directions, sentence by sentence. It suits meetings on a stand, visits and negotiations in a small group.

Whispered interpreting is the right choice when one or two people attend a presentation in a language they do not master: the interpreter translates in a low voice, in real time, without interrupting the speaker.

Consecutive interpreting is needed for a speech, a press conference or a signing: the speaker pauses and the interpreter renders the full statement.

Simultaneous interpreting, from a booth, is reserved for conferences with a large audience. It requires equipment and, beyond one hour, a team of two interpreters taking turns. We help you decide whether your event really needs it — it is rarely the case for a business meeting.

Preparing the assignment so that it pays off

An effective interpreter at a trade show is an interpreter who has been briefed. A few days before the event, send us:

  • the list of scheduled meetings and the profile of your counterparts;
  • presentation documents, technical sheets or sales brochures;
  • the vocabulary specific to your business: technical terms, product names, acronyms;
  • the sensitive points of the negotiation, if any.

Remember the badge too: most trade shows require a named accreditation. The interpreter must be registered in the same way as the members of your team.

Confidentiality and neutrality

At a trade show, the interpreter hears everything: prices, margins, hesitations, asides. Our interpreters are bound by professional secrecy and, at your request, sign a specific confidentiality agreement.

Neutrality is the other requirement. The interpreter faithfully renders what is said, without softening or commenting. That is precisely what allows both parties to trust each other. Cultural codes, on the other hand, are part of the job: knowing when a courtesy expects a reply, or when a silence is not a refusal.

Arabic, Russian, English and European languages

A large share of the clientele at these events comes from the Gulf, from Russian-speaking countries and from the English-speaking world. We work in Arabic, Russian, English, Italian, German, Spanish and French, in Cannes, Monaco, Nice, Antibes and Saint-Tropez.

Our interpreters are sworn before the Court of Appeal of Montpellier. If a trade show leads to a deed — a preliminary sale agreement, a contract, a power of attorney — the official translation can follow without changing contact.

Booking an interpreter for your event

The dates of the major trade shows are known well in advance, and available interpreters are booked early, especially in September. Tell us the event, the dates, the languages and the number of meetings: you will receive a free quote within 12 hours.

Further reading: yachting interpreter, interpreter for business dinners, linguistic concierge, and our Cannes and Monaco pages.