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Inspirational talks, networking, and a vibrant exchange of ideas: last March, TEDxIÉSEG returned to the iconic Grand Rex for its annual conference, this year centered around the theme “Dare to Dream.” Driven by a dedicated team of fifteen IÉSEG students, the event brought together hundreds of attendees for an evening filled with powerful stories, inspiring insights, and meaningful conversations on how to achieve one’s ambitions.

Pushing boundaries year after year

Founded in 2014, the student association has constantly evolved. “Our very first edition took place on our Paris-La Défense campus with virtually zero budget. Step by step, the event grew, and we started booking increasingly prestigious venues—first the UGC cinema in La Défense, and now the Grand Rex,” says Kyliann CHANTRELLE, President of TEDxIÉSEG.

For Kyliann, this growth is primarily down to the commitment of successive student teams. “I think we are a very focused association; we have one single mission each year, and we give it our absolute all. Every year, our goal is to elevate the conference and make it even more memorable.”

A theme that resonates with a purpose-driven generation

This year, the “Dare to Dream” theme guided every aspect of the project, from the selection of speakers and visual identity to partnerships, communication, and editorial direction.

It proved to be a simple, universal, and unifying thread that spoke directly to many students. “Personally, I’m a big dreamer with a lot of ambition. Growing up in Brittany, I didn’t have access to all the opportunities available here in Paris. I truly believe that by daring to dream, I was able to shape my own life and career,” Kyliann shares.

He believes this message is particularly relevant to the challenges today’s students face. “Nowadays, many people prioritize stability, which sometimes holds them back from pursuing what they truly want. Some choose business, law, or engineering schools because it’s prestigious and reassuring. But if they were given the freedom to do whatever they wanted tomorrow, maybe they would make more room for their dreams and passions.”

He adds: “Our goal was to deliver a message of hope and freedom. We really wanted to give people the tools to stay true to themselves, so that everyone could leave the event thinking: ‘Yes, this is who I am, and I need to make choices that truly reflect that.”

Elevating the experience: a true “level Up”

For this 2026 edition, the team set out to reach a whole new level. This began with choosing the Infinite Hall at the Grand Rex. “We wanted to upgrade the audience experience by welcoming them into a new, much more prestigious, elegant, and comfortable space,” Kyliann explains. The choice of the Grand Rex was highly symbolic: “It’s a place for sharing ideas, steeped in history, and a pioneer of innovation. This sharing of ideas perfectly aligns with TEDx values.”

The association also aimed to boost its online presence: “We revamped our communication with a highly innovative concept for the TEDx universe: a star set against a purple-to-red gradient background. It’s a message dedicated to those who choose to imagine before they build, to believe before they see, and who dare to let their hidden horizons shine.” The strategy paid off handsomely, skyrocketing their Instagram and LinkedIn reach from 33,000 views to over 200,000 in just two months.

Finally, the team stepped up their speaker coaching. “This year, every speaker was guided from start to finish by two coaches: Marielle LIEBER-CLAIRE, a public speaking coach, and Denis LEROY, a certified professional coach, soft skills trainer, and professor at IÉSEG,” he explains.

Eight inspiring speakers, eight visions of the dream

On stage, eight speakers took turns exploring different facets of the theme:

– Julia CANTARAGIU, speaker and speaker coach: “Dare to Make Your Dreams a Reality”

– Lucie LEBAZ, personal branding coach and author (named among the Forbes France 40 Women of 2025): “Personal Branding as a Tool to Achieve Your Dreams”

– Vincent GODBERT, entrepreneur and IÉSEG alumnus: “The Limits We Inherit” 

– Cécile BOIS, actress (Candice Renoir, Made in France…): “Dare to Burn Your Plan B: Finally Choosing the Life You Really Want” 

– Caroline VIGNEAUX, former corporate lawyer turned committed comedian: “A Heart Full of Courage” (Note: Adapté de “Une grosse paire de cœur”)

– Hélène FRÉBAULT, relationship coach: “Moving Past Fiction to Dare Real Love”

– Dominique LAGROU SEMPERE, senior reporter and journalist at TF1 for 20 years: “Dare to Dream, Even If It Ruffles Feathers”

– Bianka CHESNET, IÉSEG student and winner of the Tremplin Talk: “Dare to Dream… Then Dare to Change” 

Each talk offered a unique perspective on the concepts of dreaming and boldness, weaving an inspiring narrative throughout the evening.

Empowering students through the “Tremplin Talk”

A staple since the association’s inception, the Tremplin Talk gives one student the opportunity to speak at the main conference every year. “Giving students a voice is incredibly important to us. Just because we’re young doesn’t mean we don’t have something to say,” the President emphasizes.

He recalls: “This year, Bianka CHESNET was selected. We were thrilled; her talk was powerful and deeply moving. When she first pitched it to us, it actually brought a tear to my eye. It was engaging, emotional, very clear, and struck the perfect balance between science, theory, and personal experience.”

A complete, immersive evening

Beyond the talks, the event was designed as a holistic experience. Following the first half of the presentations, a networking intermission allowed the audience to gather around a buffet and chat with speakers, partners, and student associations.

“The intermission is crucial because it allows people to discuss what they’ve learned and share their thoughts on the talks. It’s a moment for exchanging ideas, just in a more informal setting,” Kyliann explains.

This was a highlight for the organizers as well: “Being able to talk to everyone, hearing all the positive feedback, and taking a quick breath was an amazing feeling. It gave us a huge boost for the second half of the evening.”

A career-building adventure

Beyond hosting a successful conference, TEDxIÉSEG offers hands-on, practical experience for the students behind it. “It’s a bit like running a mini-startup,” the President sums up.

From communication and content creation to sponsor prospecting, logistics, management, and negotiation, members develop a wide array of skills that complement their academic coursework. “It’s an excellent transition between business school and the professional world. We learn the theories in class, but here, we truly put them into practice,” he adds.

Looking ahead, TEDxIÉSEG fully intends to keep championing this year’s message to make future editions even better: to keep daring to dream, and above all, to dream big.