Our People: Nicolas Montet, Congress Manager, Kuoni Tumlare Congress

MY DAY-TO-DAY

Embracing Diversity and Dynamic Challenges

No two days are alike, and the sky is the limit.

I have been working with Kuoni Tumlare Congress in the Professional Congress Organiser (PCO) branch since 2016. Our goal is to assist our clients, mainly associations, in organising their congresses or conferences. Acting as consultants and partners, we rely on our expertise to deliver successful events.

In my current role as Congress Manager, effective communication and collaboration are essential, given the multitude of information shared among stakeholders. I enjoy this challenging environment that requires curiosity, adaptability, fortitude, leadership, and creativity.

This year, I am managing three congresses, ranging from 500 to 2,500 participants, collaborating with colleagues from Czech Republic, France, and Spain on a daily basis. I relish working in a multicultural environment, where diversity is evident among both people and tasks. It’s not rare to handle budgeting, marketing, logistics, registration, and programme creation within a single day.

In this dynamic setting, maintaining a daily routine is crucial. As a sports enthusiast and triathlete, I like to train before the office hours. I start my workday by tackling problem-solving tasks. Given my high activity level and screen sensitivity, I take short breaks every hour to stretch and follow the 20-20-20 rule for eye health. Every evening, I organise the upcoming day, striving to maintain a zero-inbox principle to stay organized and on top of tasks.

WHY TRAVEL?

Crafting My Identity

I was born and raised in Geneva, a cosmopolitan city. I started travelling with my family when I was a child. This set my desire in motion to discover new places in the world. Despite studying science, I decided to pursue a major in hospitality management, allowing me to combine my love for travel with a dynamic career.

Following my studies, I spent a decade working in various hotels, experiencing diverse cultures across Australia, Italy, and the USA. These experiences and the people I encountered along the way have profoundly influenced who I am today, fostering qualities such as open-mindedness, flexibility, patience, adaptability, and compassion.

WHY KUONI TUMLARE?

An International Team

Coordinating groups and events within hotels, I found immense satisfaction in the diversity of tasks and the multitude of connections formed with people.

Yet, my goal was to organise larger-scale events and explore a different industry. Shortly thereafter, I was introduced to the field of PCO and joined Kuoni Tumlare Congress in Geneva, embarking on this amazing journey.

Kuoni Tumlare Congress has a strong footprint in Europe, serving most of its clients originating from this market. Additionally, we cater to clients from other regions worldwide, ensuring their events are seamlessly executed wherever they choose to host them. Working in such an international environment is personally rewarding and essential to me.

CORE VALUE

Partner First

In my view, the most gratifying victories are those shared with others.

I always strive for a win-win relationship with my clients, colleagues, and partners. Winning fosters trust and trust is the foundation of long-term collaboration.

Anticipation and negotiation play a key role in aligning everybody with their objectives and bridging the gap between reality and expectation.

I am amazed at how embracing a straightforward approach often leads to clarity, efficiency, and satisfaction, resulting in excellent collaboration and win-win outcomes.

PROUDEST MOMENT

Evolution and Recognition

Kuoni Tumlare Congress recently received the Profit KPI 2023 Reward within our company, acknowledging the dedication and effort invested over the past years.

I am particularly thankful for the guidance and support provided by Franck Grosset, our Head of PCO. Under his leadership, our team transitioned from junior to highly skilled and cohesive, adapting swiftly to our evolving industry. The learning curve has been substantial, marked by significant growth since I joined the company.

We seized the opportunity to develop our virtual and hybrid conferences. I will always remember my first hybrid conference in Valencia in 2022. We reached numerous milestones in implementing new technologies and services. Despite the challenges, the sense of achievement and gratitude was immense. Our innovative approach was astounding for most of the attendees. We received tremendous acclamation when we were invited onstage during the closing ceremony, a proud and unforgettable moment!

FAVOURITE DESTINATION

San Diego: A City Of Adventure and Relaxation

I lived in America's Finest City for two years and loved it. San Diego is known for its rich cultural diversity, particularly as a border city with Mexico, making it a vibrant melting pot of cultures. The city has an impressive culinary and art scene, and you can enjoy numerous festivals held year-round. Whether you are in search of adventure or relaxation, San Diego boasts over 100km of pristine coastline with stunning beaches and beautiful landscapes. You can surf in the Pacific Ocean, hike in the nearby mountains, and stargaze in a desert on the same day. I also loved the relaxed vibe and the laid-back attitude as well as the pleasant climate.