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
