Why you should participate

  • The La Garde Forum 2022 – now in its 5th edition – has been created specifically for art and craft producers and social initiatives, primarily from developing countries, who
    • create authentic products based on local traditions,
    • contribute to the social and economic development of their communities,
    • are willing to share their story.
  • The Forum offers a unique opportunity to develop the French and European market:
    • Bourg-en-Bresse is a logistics hub in France.
    • It represents a traditional crossroad between France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and beyond.
    • We expect buyers from a variety of European countries.
  • The Forum provides the opportunity of combining:
    • B2C transactions –  under normal conditions, we are expecting 1’000 visitors (under normal sanitary conditions)
    • B2B contacts – we have our own La Garde Collection and we are currently reaching out to other professional buyers.
  • The Forum is supported by a wide range of local institutions, including:
    • the City of Bourg-en-Bresse
    • the Département de l’Ain , France
    • Artisans du Monde
    • Crédit Agricole, Centre-Est
    • The local media
    • the Rotary
    • the University of Lyon
  • The financial conditions for participating in the Forum are particularly attractive:
    • Organization by the not-for-profit initiative:  La Garde – Living Traditions,
    • no commission on sales during the Forum
    • free accommodation and food during the event for exhibitors
    • very low registration fee of € 50 for overseas exhibitors (€ 100 for European exhibitors), including the stand at the exhibition
  • The Forum offers a unique personal experience to exhibitors:
    • It takes place at the beautiful 14 hectares Domaine de La Garde with its Palladian-style castle and traditional farm buildings.
    • Exhibitors will receive personal attention from the organizers all of whom have been working in international trade for decades and can welcome their visitors in half a dozen of languages (see their profiles under who we are).
    • Exhibitors will receive the assistance of a variety of volunteers from local organizations, including the Friends of La Garde, the Rotary Club, and educational institutions such as the local University and schools.
    • Exhibitors will meet, and interact with, other outstanding art and craft producers from all over the world and become part of the larger La Garde Forum community