In 30 seconds
Shira Lazar recounts attending Cannes Lions on her own budget before a sponsored trip. She describes using points, finding lodging outside Cannes, attending events without a festival badge and saving on meals.
- 1Flights and pointsShira used points and suggests comparing routes through other European cities.
- 2Lodging alternativesShe suggests nearby towns, negotiation and last-minute rentals, while noting her own deal was rare.
- 3Events without a badgeShe describes applying for press access or attending brand and platform events around the festival.
- 4Food costsLounge snacks and invited meals helped her spend less on food.
Takeaways
- Shira used airline and credit-card points and suggests considering alternate airports or trains.
- Nearby towns and last-minute accommodation can be alternatives to hotels in Cannes.
- Her $700 three-night studio was a rare deal, not a standard price.
- She describes networking at events around the festival without a badge.
- Invitations and lounge snacks reduced her food costs.
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The budget trip
Shira explains that she previously paid her own way to Cannes Lions. She begins with flights and points.
Shira Lazar says this is her third time going to Cannes Lions and her first sponsored visit. For the preceding two trips, she paid her own way. She explains how she attended the marketing and advertising festival on the French coast for under $2,000.
Her first tip is to use airline and credit-card points. She also suggests comparing flights into cities such as Barcelona, Milan or Paris, followed by a cheaper flight to Nice or a train.
Finding accommodation
She discusses nearby towns and a last-minute studio. She notes that the price she found was unusual.
For accommodation, she suggests looking at Airbnb, negotiating or staying outside Cannes in places such as Antibes or Juan-les-Pins. She booked a basement studio on the day she flew out and paid about $700 for three nights. She emphasizes that this was a rare deal.
Access, networking and meals
Shira describes events around the festival and possible press access. She also explains how she reduced food spending.
Shira says visitors can experience activities around Cannes Lions without a festival badge. She suggests applying for press access if eligible, or looking for platform and brand events and lounges. She recommends registering in advance, though she says some events accept details at the door.
She says there was enough happening outside the festival to stay busy and network without a badge. Lounge snacks and invitations to lunches and dinners helped keep her food costs down. She closes by offering her list of creator events.
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