Jérôme Aviotte started out in event organising when he was based in Villard-de-Lans and then set his sights on Montélimar, where he formed his own agency, Latitude Organisation. That was in 2005, since when his business has grown rapidly and he’s now opened up an office in Aix-les-Bains and a branch in Paris.

Specialising in seminar organisation, which makes up 80% of his business, he is also involved in organising conventions, forums and personal coaching. This Drôme-based agency boasts an impressive client list, including large national companies such as Michelin, Carrefour Market, Sanofi Aventis, Area, Capgemini, Airstar, Blédina, Altran Technologies, Deloitte, Monsieur Store, Les Gentlemen du Déménagement, In Extenso and Stef-TFE.

We have three permanent staff members and as we also hold a travel agent’s licence, we can offer a comprehensive service for organising seminars that might last several days including the transport element, accommodation, room hire and other activities, notes Jérôme Aviotte. Due to the type of clients who use our services, I go to Paris at least once a week. On average we organise about 60 projects a year both in France and abroad and our business is growing, despite the current recession .

The Rhône-Alpes is naturally the preferred operational terrain for Latitude Organisation since the region’s diverse resources lend themselves to providing the best possible experience for clients. The agency often works in southern Ardèche, on the Vercors plateau and in several resorts including La Féclaz, La Clusaz, L’Alpe d’Huez, Val d’Isère and Val Thorens. We’ve also set up partnership arrangements with various establishments such as the Fort de Vaise in Lyon, the Château de Serrières near Trept in the Isère, Charmeil golf club, Sodexho Prestige and a number of other sites in the vicinity, continues the agency’s boss. Most of the time they call me directly when clients want to add a recreational aspect to their meeting .

It is also worth mentioning one other partnership agreement: this time with the Fondation Arthritis which has called on Latitude Organisation to help it set up a health village in Clermont-Ferrand next May. It will bring together about 50 associations that work in the sector.

Latitude Organisation offers a basic outdoor activity (orientation course, snow-shoe outing) from about 50 € for a half-day, fully inclusive. A three day seminar, with two nights accommodation, plus activities, dog sledding and overnight in a mountain refuge will cost about 600 € per participant. For the agency, 2010 has kicked off with several projects including a PR operation for the Trophée Andros on behalf of Stef TFE, an information forum for Monsieur Store in February in Paris and an activity in Collioure for Les Gentlemen du Déménagement.