Join DEPT® at Cannes Lions 2026
Just off the Croisette, away from the noise, a space designed to slow things down.
A return to the trees, where the focus shifts back to the craft and the conversations behind it.
The Secret Garden is back this year.
Last year, in the middle of everything Cannes tends to be, the Garden became one of those places people kept finding their way back to.
Just off the Croisette, under the trees, it had a different kind of energy. There was shade, a bit of a breeze, friendly faces, and the sense that you could sit down for a moment without immediately checking the time. People dropped in between meetings and, more often than not, stayed longer than planned.
Across the day, it was filled with senior leaders from brands, tech, and the creator world. Conversations moved easily between AI, innovation, and what’s actually changing in the work. Smart, open, and refreshingly unforced.
It filled up quickly too. And yes, we had to say no more than we would have liked.
So this year, we’re keeping it much the same, just a little more considered. Still invite-only. Still intentionally limited. The same setting, with a bit more space to settle in and the same kind of people you’d hope to run into. A place to step out of the noise, find some shade, and get into conversations that are actually worth your time.
If you make it in, you’ll see what we mean.
What to expect in the Secret Garden
- Real conversations from industry and brand leaders. No panels for the sake of panels. Just honest takes on turning AI into real growth, redefining how teams work, and the next generation of creative thinking.
- Work you can step into. Interactive and immersive tech experiences that bring ideas to life and show how it’s actually being done.
- A space that works. Built for real meetings, real connections, and time well spent away from the noise. Grab a coffee, wander through the garden, step into the studio, or find a quiet corner to keep a conversation going.
- A curated selection of goodies and Cannes must-haves at the DEPT® Souvenir shop, open from June 23-25, 12:00 – 13:00.
It’s happening again
The Garden’s coming back, and so are the conversations you didn’t plan but were glad you had. We’ll share the rest soon.
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