9 Must-do Things at CPHI Barcelona
The nine things you must do at CPHI Barcelona 2023!
The biggest event of the year is upon us. In the next week or so, 40,000+ people will descend on the Gran Via of the Fira de Barcelona to attend CPHI. And it’s looking like a packed show for a number of reasons. Not only is this one of the best CPHI cities, as well as CPHI venues, but the show is also coming off the back of a global pandemic.
In this post, we review the must-do activities and events at CPHI, as well as other things to do in Barcelona. Remember, time is scarce. So, you’ll need to review the options at your disposal; the things you could do and the things you could see. Whilst you cannot possibly do everything, take our suggestions with you to ensure you maximise your time there. See you in Barcelona!
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1. Visit the San Sebastian Or Barceloneta beach
It’s not often the case that you find yourself with the option of visiting a beach when you visit one of Europe’s major cities. Barcelona is unique in the sense that you can visit such a large city, and visit a range of beaches while you are there. So, for this year’s CPHI beach-within-a-city location, why not plan to take some time out around the event and visit one? The weather looks to be good and this could be a good way to start (or finish) your trip. If this sounds like something you’d like to do, you’ll need to do a little planning first as the beaches are not located within walking distance from the Gran Via.
Luckily, all of the beaches are accessible via the bus or the Metro which you can catch to and from the Gran Via. The nearest beach to the Gran Via is either the San Sebastian beach or Sant Miquel beach. Here, head towards the W Hotel (you can’t miss it on the entire Barcelona coastline) and you’ll be able to see across the coastline for miles. A little more central is the Barceloneta beach, which is also probably the most popular and offers restaurants, Wi-Fi, lockers, beach umbrellas and lounge chair rentals. A little further away from the Gran Via, and just off La Ramba, is Mar Bella beach. Its baths and other amenities were once destroyed in a storm but the beachfront has now been restored and once hosted the Olympic Games and is well worth checking out.
Source: dronepicr via Wikipedia.
2. Check out the CPHI Games Zone
Each CPHI event tends to include a games/fun zone within its conference. And whilst we don’t know too much about what will be included in this area (or where it will be located at this point), it’s always worth popping in to see what’s on offer, as well as see who you might bump into. Previous Games Zones have included VR and golf driving range/simulator games, as well as retro gaming stations. Food and drink booths are also usually nearby. Some form of online contest will certainly be present, so test yourself amongst others in the sector and claim the bragging rights for the week! Taking part will also offer some time away from the busy conference halls for an hour or so, which we’d always recommend.
3. Attend the CPHI Pharma Awards & Networking Party
With the shortlist now announced, we can now turn our attention to the CPHI Pharma Awards - which rewards outstanding individuals and companies who have demonstrated exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact in the pharmaceutical industry - which takes place on the first night of CPHI at the Gran Via. At 6pm on Tuesday 24th at the Hall Botanica (East Entrance, next to Hall 3), the awards ceremony and networking event will begin where the outcome of 12 award categories will be decided. You can expect drinks, canapés and a night of entertainment in what is the flagship event of CPHI each year, and if you can’t make it to the live event, you can follow everything via the live stream on LinkedIn Live. Good luck to all the nominees, especially our clients Catalent and Aptar Pharma!
For more information, visit the CPHI Pharma Awards 2023 website: “At our Networking Party, the focus is on creating meaningful interactions with professionals and industry stakeholders. This is your chance to connect with like-minded individuals and forge new collaborations in a relaxed atmosphere. Sip on a glass of champagne, network with colleagues and peers and toast a successful day on the show floor!”
4. Take some time out in the Zen Zone
Similar to the Games Zone, you’ll also have the opportunity to get away from the conference halls to fully relax at the Zen Zone. Whilst you can expect the Games Zone to be noisy and potentially chaotic (and fun!), you can expect the exact opposite here. The Zen Zone includes the opportunity for things like massages and nasal irrigations, which can really recharge your batteries if you are running low at some point during the three days. So, why not step away for an hour or so and relax, maybe even treat yourself to a smoothie whilst you are there? Free water points are also present in this zone. Unlike the Games Zone, we do know that the Zen Zone is located in Hall #8, which also usually houses the most catering and restaurant options in the Gran Via - it is also the location of the Damm Bar, for those - like me - who like a cold beer on those hot and stressful days!
5. Visit the start-up market
A notable area this year is the “Start-up Zone.” Located in Hall #3, it brings together start-ups, innovators, and small enterprises to exhibit their exciting new products and solutions. A session is also set up to allow start-ups to demonstrate their products and pitch their offering to the market in 5-minute windows. Each start-up will have an 8-minute pitch, including 5 minutes of speaking about their innovation and a 3-minute Q&A from the audience. Each start-up will also have its own small exhibition space within the same hall. So, why not see what this host of innovative companies have in store for the pharmaceutical space, as well as learn how they talk about and pitch their products and services?
6. Join the Happy hour in the upstairs garden
The gardens of the Gran Via are located on the first floor in between Halls 3,4,5 and 6. And at 4pm, these gardens will host a happy hour session, giving delegates the opportunity to head outside and grab a cold drink in the sunshine. If you have a spare hour towards the end of the day, why not head to the gardens to explore?
7. Ensure you see at least one keynote
CPHI Barcelona will offer hours of live content via its agenda of speaker presentations, panel discussions and keynotes. The majority of these sessions (apart from the BioProduction sessions) will run at the Content Hub in Conference Room 4, just off Hall #4. All of which provide the opportunity to learn about key developments and innovations within the pharma and related sectors, as well as an opportunity to engage with the speakers themselves.
It may seem challenging to learn a new skill at a conference that lasts three days, but learning something entirely new inside or outside your areas of research - and progressing your professional development - is very much possible at an event like CPHI Barcelona. Just glancing at the content agenda at the show provides confirmation of this. From talks on digital transformation to sustainability to wellness and mental wellbeing, there are plenty available over the three days - see our last post on our picks for sessions to attend at CPHI Barcelona 2023 across the three days.
More often than not, the content (and insights that can be further derived from the speakers) provides you with tools and skills which you cannot be taught in-house or online. The focused nature of learning at a conference also allows you to dig deeper with the understanding of your topic of interest - there is always someone willing to discuss things with you in more depth. Be sure to see at least one session - you’ll be glad you did.
8. Go and see the La Sagrada Familia
Located centrally in the city, the La Sagrada Familia is arguably Barcelona’s biggest gem. And if you haven't yet seen our guide to the city where we list our 10 attractions to visit in Barcelona, be sure to do so. The La Sagrada Familia is top of the list and for good reason:
“No visit to Barcelona is complete without witnessing the awe-inspiring beauty of Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece, La Sagrada Família. This basilica is an icon of modernist architecture, featuring intricate facades adorned with biblical scenes, towering spires that seem to touch the heavens, and a kaleidoscope of stained-glass windows that bathe the interior in a mesmerizing play of light and colour. Be sure to explore the Sagrada Família both inside and out and consider taking an elevator ride to one of the towers for panoramic views of the city. Did you know that construction on this amazing basilica was started in 1882 and when Gaudi died in 1926 only a quarter was complete? The estimated completion date is set to be 2026! When it is completed, it will have taken longer to build than the Egyptian Pyramids! It’s not to be missed!”
9. Have a drink with the Orientation Marketing team!
I will be joined by the entire core of the Orientation Marketing team at CPHI Barcelona. We will be present for the three days of the event and are there to network - to meet our clients and partners, as well as those who would like to know a little about our services. If you have some time, you could meet our team members to discuss marketing opportunities and avenues for growth - via PR and comms, media planning, content marketing, PPC, events or inbound marketing - as well as the publications we work with and what they can do for you. Or, if you just want to meet us for a social - a coffee or a glass of wine or beer - we’re equally happy to hear from you! Please get in touch to arrange a meeting if you are attending the show.
For more on events in the pharmaceutical sectors, and how we can support you, see our section on events. And if you are attending CPHI Barcelona, talk with one of our team members by booking a meeting.
