At the time of posting this, we are officially 4 days and 1 international flight away from being at Cannes Lions 2026…but who’s counting?
We wanted to break down exactly what to expect this year and how to navigate the week so you can maximize every single moment, panel, and connection.
Over in Vayner world, we couldn’t be more excited for our pop up cafe Chez Vayner to return to Cannes for another year! Whether you’re a Cannes young lion, or an OG, we guarantee there’s always something new to learn or a connection to make along the way.
The team has been in full gear prepping for Cannes, and because we’re not new to long walks along the Croisette, we’ve put together our very own Cannes Lions cheat sheet.
Perfect to keep in your back pocket and read through before diving into all the marketing magic.
Take a look. 👇👀
Cannes You Explain What It’s All About?
Cannes Lions is the biggest marketing event in the world made for marketers, and creators by marketers. It connects the many brilliant minds of our industry and creates opportunities to lean into the hot topics impacting the advertising and marketing world.
We’re embarking on our largest Cannes execution yet, from thought leadership panels and CMO circles, to specialty experiential moments at our Chez Vayner pop up, and more content taking you inside the festival than ever before.
🔑 Tip: It’s pronounced CAN, not CANS!
What To Expect
Outside of the programming & award ceremonies, Cannes Lions is a huge opportunity for brands, and whether you’re in France or watching from online, you’ll see how some of the biggest brands are showing up and activating.
At Vayner, we’re showing up with four packed days of programming as well as the return of our very own popup, Chez Vayner cafe.
Chez Vayner is the heart of our Cannes footprint. An open-air French cafe, this space is specifically designed to foster high impact conversations. Whether you’re on the way to your next big panel, or looking to unwind and meet somebody new, we highly recommend a stop at Chez Vayner to add to your Cannes schedule.
🔑 Tip: Don’t be surprised by who you might run into at Chez Vayner! Cannes week is filled with senior marketers & c-suite executives, content creators, musicians, athletes, and so much more.
Ok But…Is It Worth It?
There’s a LOT that goes into a Cannes trip so it’s worth asking…is it really worth the hype? 1,000,000,000% yes!
For those looking to grow and break into the industry, it’s also a great way to better understand what agencies are looking for when hiring young talent. This is the very idea behind our Young Lions Breakfast. Alongside Mimia Johnson (SVP, Creative Excellence) and Rob Lenois (Chief Creative Officer), we offer unfiltered industry wisdom & career insights that you won’t get from orientation.
🔑 Tip: Don’t let age or a lack of experience discourage you from checking out Cannes Lions opportunities! One of the best reasons to attend is to network and learn from the people and brands around you. Seek out opportunities, and if you can’t make it IRL, track the event and reach out to people to hear about their experience.
You’ve Made it To Cannes. Now What?
If you find yourself at Cannes and unsure of where to go, or who to see, don’t worry. Take it from our CMO Avery Akkineni, a (soon to be!) six-time Cannes Lions attendee on what her schedule is looking like and the six things she’s most excited for:
Stop #1: Cannes Creator Kick-Off 📲
With the one and only Gary Vaynerchuk, we’ll be getting Cannes week started with a VaynerX style kickoff party, bringing together creators shaping culture for an evening dedicated to convos about the growing creator economy, platform shifts, and more. Consider it a deep dive into the rise of the individual empire & all things creatorpreneurism.
Stop #2: CMO Accelerator Cocktails 🍸
Joined by the incredible Jim Stengel, we’re celebrating the 2026 CMO Accelerator Program with an exclusive cocktail reception at Chez Vayner! Bringing together past, present, and future participants, this moment transcends the typical industry event and offers an opportunity for genuine networking & relationship strengthening.
Stop #3: Collaborating with The Marketing Academy 📚
The Marketing Academy is bringing its global audience to Cannes, and we couldn’t be more excited for the opportunities that come with a partnership like this one. TMA will be hosting their very own takeover at Chez Vayner, and it’ll be the perfect opportunity to bridge industry professionals and talented marketers into one space.
Stop #4: Avery’s Roundtable with The Female Quotient 🎤
The Female Quotient always puts together truly meaningful conversations. This session is no exception and is guaranteed to dig deep into some of the most thought provoking topics of the week.
Stop #5: Kargo’s Sea and Scene Kick-Off 🌊
A must see during your Cannes experience! Kargo’s programming is the ultimate way to get your week started on a high note.
Stop #6: Our Very Own Creator Salon🪞
Need a pit stop on the way to your next panel? Or a place to unwind and freshen up? Our Creator Salon is the perfect spot to break away from the action for a little. Plus, it’s filled with photo opps and gifting from our brand partners, so you won’t want to miss this one!
🔑 Tip: Go in with a schedule, but don’t be afraid to be spontaneous either! Some of the most memorable experiences can come from going with the flow, and adding something to your schedule out of pure curiosity.
Whatever your Cannes journey looks like, it’s bound to be a good one. We’ll be part of the action all week long, just steps away from the fountain, and oui truly can’t wait to see you there! 😉
Made it all the way to the end? 🇫🇷
Check out more of our programming and most importantly, enjoy everything that Cannes week has to offer.
Au revoir & Happy Cannes! 🦁🇫🇷