The Next Generation of Event Innovators at EFAP

A hands-on project centered on the Grand Prix de l’Événementiel

For this module, Sandrine Christon-Pain, a lecturer at EFAP specializing in event innovation, challenged students to explore the winners of Meet-in’s Grand prix de l'évènementiel. Each student was asked to select three events from the award winners and create original content (podcast, magazine article, video, etc.) highlighting their vision of excellence in the events industry.

The students’ productions are then evaluated by a jury, including Laurence Rousseau, Editor-in-Chief of Meet-in. Their work will be published in Meet-in magazine, providing genuine professional visibility for emerging talent.

 

Interview with Sandrine Christon-Pain, Lecturer at EFAP

Q: Could you introduce yourself?

Sandrine Christon-Pain: I have been working in communications for many years and currently serve as General Delegate for the communications sector. I am also a communications consultant and teach courses related to communications and event management. I am myself a graduate of EFAP.

 

Q: For this event innovation module, you asked your fourth-year students to work on Meet-in’s Grand Prix de l’Événementiel. What motivated you to anchor this assignment so firmly in the reality of the industry, to the point that their productions could be featured in a professional publication?

Sandrine Christon-Pain: I wanted students to go beyond abstract concepts and theoretical assignments. Working from an awards list allows them to draw inspiration from the very best work in the industry. It helps them identify trends, recognize strong and weak signals of innovation in events, learn from agency achievements, and immerse themselves in the realities of the profession. It is a way to move beyond theory, put their knowledge into practice, and understand what it truly means to create content for the events industry.

The assignment consisted of selecting three events from the Grand Prix de l’Événementiel winners, regardless of category, and producing their own content to showcase them. Students were free to choose the format that suited them best: podcast, video, magazine, or any other creative medium.

 

Q: Why did you choose such a free and creative format—podcasts, magazines, videos—rather than a report or PowerPoint presentation?

Sandrine Christon-Pain: I wanted to give students the freedom to choose the tool that would allow them to enjoy the production process and express themselves according to their skills and preferences. This choice enables them to diversify formats, explore different storytelling approaches, and have fun while producing professional-quality content.

 

Q: When you look at your students’ work, what surprises you, or what were you hoping to see emerge?

Sandrine Christon-Pain: I was not surprised by the overall quality, but I was very pleased to see their level of commitment and enthusiasm. The students fully embraced the assignment and genuinely experienced a professional situation where their work could be published. What I hope is that they continue to enjoy the process, challenge themselves, and showcase their creativity and innovative spirit.

 

Highlighting the talents of tomorrow

This project perfectly reflects EFAP’s educational approach: placing students in real-life situations, engaging them in hands-on projects, and providing them with professional visibility. The publication of the best productions in Meet-in will allow fourth-year students to stand out while sharing their ideas with a wider audience.

You too can work on real-world projects alongside industry professionals. Discover EFAP’s programs and build your future in communications, media, and event management.