Première Vision names Florence Rousson head of the executive board as Gilles Lasbordes leaves

A leading figure in the international trade show industry is bowing out. Gilles Lasbordes has left Première Vision, owned by French group GL Events, after a long-standing collaboration with Philippe Pasquet, Première Vision’s CEO. Lasbordes worked for 20 years at the trade show organiser, running some of its events before being appointed managing director in 2013.

At the end of February, Florence Rousson took charge of the 11 trade shows organised by Première Vision in Europe, Asia and North America, having been appointed president of its executive board by the supervisory board, chaired by Lucien Deveaux.

Rousson has overseen the Green Tech+ division at GL Events for nearly five years, notably organising energy transition show Be Positive, having joined GL Events in 2010 as communication manager. She is familiar with the textiles sector, having been in charge of communication at show organiser Eurovet, where she worked for 12 years until 2010. In a press release, GL Events said that Rousson’s appointment is expected to “boost the international growth of [the group’s] fashion division,” indicating also that it took complete control of Première Vision a year ago.

“Première Vision brings together the sector’s main players and supports them in transforming the market, advocating a fashion industry that is both creative and sustainable. It is a unique brand, a genuine hub for the industry and for international labels. Florence’s mission is to pave the way for new growth prospects in terms of market share through new products, innovative services and regional opportunities. I would like to warmly thank Gilles Lasbordes for his expert contribution in the last few years,” said Olivier Ginon, CEO of GL Events.

The first event with Rousson in charge will be the Made in France trade show, scheduled in Paris on March 27-28. It is not the largest event organised by Première Vision, which claims to attract a total of 3,500 exhibitors and 86,000 visitors worldwide to its shows, but it is quite significant politically, given the troubled patch the French textiles industry is currently going through.

Rousson’s new vision for Première Vision is likely to be revealed at the next PV Paris show, scheduled on July 2-4 2024 at the Villepinte exhibition centre. The event has already announced it will invite an unprecedented number of international buyers.