[This translation was generated automatically]
ESSEC Alumni: Could you introduce yourselves in a few words?
Lucie & Thuc: We are Lucie and Thuc, third-year students in the Grande École Programme (E27). We met two years ago, at the very beginning of our time at ESSEC, through our involvement in the Tuong Lai association! Today, we are co-heads of the ESSEC Gala 2026, which we are organising alongside five other team members. We are fully committed to making this edition an unforgettable experience!
ESSEC Alumni: What motivated you to get involved in the BDE Gala Committee?
Lucie & Thuc: Cléo, who led the Gala Committee in 2025, showed us that the Gala was one of the most meaningful projects she had ever worked on. Organising and managing an event of this scale from start to finish is an incredibly motivating challenge (finding a venue to host a seated dinner and 1,000 guests, managing a substantial budget), especially after the end of our previous association responsibilities (Tuong Lai, and Musical for Thuc) and Lucie’s return from Singapore.
ESSEC Alumni: What is the ambition for the 2026 edition?
Lucie & Thuc: For 2026, our ambition is to modernise the Gala in order to attract more students, with more affordable ticket prices and a format designed specifically with them in mind. This year, we are delighted to welcome you to the InterContinental Paris Hotel! This iconic venue features, in particular, a magnificent ballroom with a large golden dome, offering a setting worthy of ESSEC’s prestige. It allows us to enhance the School’s image and showcase the dynamism of our Student Union. This edition will be built around the theme “A Night at the Opera”, a natural choice given the hotel’s proximity to the Opéra Garnier and the fact that the evening will take place in the Salon Opéra, whose architecture and atmosphere are perfectly suited to this theme.
ESSEC Alumni: What can you tell us about the 2026 edition and its new features?
Lucie & Thuc: For this 67th edition, we are returning to the gourmet seated dinner format to offer a complete and refined experience. We are fortunate to be working with a highly renowned Parisian caterer, Café de la Paix. We have also planned a number of high-quality performances and surprises to truly impress our guests! With a record Gala team of seven members this year (logistics, communication, partnerships), we are paying close attention to every detail to deliver a memorable dinner and evening for everyone.
ESSEC Alumni: Who will be the patron of the Gala, and why did you choose them?
Lucie & Thuc: We are honoured to welcome Laurence Fischer (E05) as the patron of the ESSEC Gala 2026. A three-time world karate champion and deeply committed to social causes through her association Fight for Dignity, she embodies excellence, courage and social impact. Her inspiring journey, combining elite-level sport with strong advocacy for women who are victims of violence, perfectly reflects the values we wish to highlight during our Gala.
ESSEC Alumni: What key practical information would you like to share with the alumni community (students and graduates alike)?
Lucie & Thuc: The ESSEC Gala 2026 will take place on Saturday 18 April (7:00 pm–4:30 am) at the InterContinental Paris Hotel, just a short walk from the Opéra Garnier and Auber station. Ticket sales will open in February! You can follow us and ask any questions on Instagram (@galadelessec) or by email (contact.galaessec@gmail.com).
Stay tuned so you don’t miss a thing!
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