Olivia: Can you tell us a bit about your professional background and what brought you to CloserStill? 

Adrien: I started my career in finance in Paris, but I soon realised it wasn’t the right fit. Switching careers in France isn’t easy so I moved to London and started from scratch in media sales. Over time, I worked my way up, eventually becoming Commercial Director for six events in Asia. When the opportunity arose to become Event Director for the French show PharmagoraPlus, I knew it was perfect. It incorporated everything I enjoyed: commercial strategy, financial responsibility and creative marketing. From my first meeting with CloserStill’s co-founders, I was inspired by their mindset and vision. That was ten years ago, and I’m still here! 

Olivia: What do you think has contributed to your incredible 10-year tenure within the company?  

Adrien: The challenge. PharmagoraPlus was a 40-year-old show in a difficult place when I took over. Rebuilding trust, repositioning the event, and reconnecting with the sector was tough, but fulfilling. Each year, we build programmes that address real challenges and offer practical solutions. That sense of purpose motivates me every day. Also, my team. Watching them develop, thrive and bring passion to what they do is one of the best parts of the job. 

Olivia: You work in the French market while being based in the London office – how does your cultural fluency impact your role? 

Adrien: Working across both the UK and French markets is so interesting because you get to see how different professional cultures operate. There are naturally some differences - in France, especially within the healthcare sector, there’s a strong emphasis on tradition and long-term relationships, particularly with an event like PharmagoraPlus that has such deep roots. Understandably, it was a big change for some when CloserStill introduced more defined processes and structure. It's my job to bridge expectations to help our teams and partners align, adapt, and work together effectively. Cultural understanding, communication, and trust-building on both sides is key. 

Olivia: What do you think makes an audience keep coming back to PharmagoraPlus? 

Adrien: PharmagoraPlus has become a trusted space for connection, learning, and support, especially in a profession that often feels isolated, particularly in rural areas. Beyond the content, it’s the sense of community that keeps people coming back. It’s a chance to meet peers, share experiences and become inspired. PharmagoraPlus helps pharmacists see that their profession is not disappearing, but evolving. 

Olivia: What’s a standout moment onsite for you? 

Adrien: For me, the standout moment is always the opening when the crowd rushes in, key industry figures arrive, and theatres start to fill up. That’s when you know a show is starting strong – it’s a gut feeling.  

Olivia: What trends or challenges do you see emerging in the French healthcare space over the next few years? 

Adrien: Pharmacists in France are facing extreme financial pressures. Margins are shrinking due to inflation, and recent legislative proposals have added even more economic uncertainty. At the same time, the role of the pharmacist is expanding. They can now vaccinate, prescribe, and offer basic medical consultations, creating new revenue streams. However, not everyone has embraced these changes yet. PharmagoraPlus helps pharmacists navigate this transition, turning their challenges into opportunities.  

Olivia: How do you encourage motivation and creativity within your team, especially when managing projects across borders? 

Adrien: The team really values mindset and momentum. We like to keep things moving week after week in a supportive environment. People here care deeply about the show. It’s not just about hitting personal targets - they want the whole event to succeed. That shared pride creates a strong team spirit. We know there’ll be slower weeks or setbacks, but we trust we’ll bounce back. What matters is that by Sunday night after the show, we can all look at each other, shake hands, and know we made something incredible. 

Olivia: Over the past decade, what significant changes have you seen both within CloserStill and in the healthcare sectors you serve? 

Adrien: It’s changed a lot since I joined. Back then, we had more of a startup mentality - less structure, but a lot of energy and fun: everyone sitting together, pitching, and moving fast. As the company grew, we naturally needed more structure, and now, the way we operate is much more efficient. The tools we have, the budgets, the expertise across teams - it’s all helped us get closer to our audience and deliver a much better experience. 

Olivia: What are you most excited for as we look ahead to 2026? 

Adrien: What excites me most is the opportunity to deepen PharmagoraPlus’ role as more than just a trade show. We hope to have the Minister of Health join us to share their vision directly with pharmacists. And with the French presidential election coming up in 2027, our goal is to bring all candidates to the show so they can present their plans to the pharmacy community. This platform makes the show truly unique - it gathers the most important voices in healthcare under one roof for two days, shaping the future of the profession.  

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