Crafting Unforgettable Experiences: Our Journey at Riviera Events

For over 15 years, Riviera Events has been crafting unique stories, pioneering technologies, and embracing the latest trends to create unforgettable moments for some of the world’s top brands. From champagne pool parties in the early days to today’s large-scale corporate events, the agency has continuously evolved.

Throughout the years, we have grown with intention. We have adapted to changing markets, explored cross-cultural dynamics, and redefined what it means to deliver exceptional guest experiences. While the journey hasn’t been without its challenges, each obstacle shaped who we are today.

Now, as we look towards the future, we remain committed to innovation and creativity. Our goal is to keep pushing boundaries and transforming ideas into experiences that leave a lasting impression.

Office Openings

Pool Parties & Champagne: The Early Days

2006 – 2008

The origins: Where It All Began

Riviera Events was founded by two adventurous individuals, Benoit Thebaut and Stéphane de Montgros. Early on, they recognised their shared passion for bringing people together and decided to take a bold leap. They launched their business in a new country – starting with pool parties!

The Purple Mountain Hotel, Shanghai, 2006

At the time, international brands were starting to enter the local Chinese market. Sensing an opportunity, the pair saw the potential to elevate events in more luxurious and creative ways.

By combining their talent for building connections with the needs of these global brands, they developed a series of standout events. Many of these were sponsored by international Champagne houses. Back then, China was a place where anything felt possible with hard work and determination. We still believe that’s true today.

Growth and Early Success

The success of those first events opened new doors. We expanded by creating themed nights for clubs, all while maintaining strong partnerships with renowned international beverage brands.

The Purple Mountain Hotel, Shanghai, 2006

Our goal was always to deliver experiences that were both fun and elegant. Quickly, we gained a reputation for our attention to detail and high standards. From early on, we learned that listening to our clients – and their guests – was crucial. These lessons helped us form lasting relationships and produce events that truly resonated.

As a company, we are incredibly grateful for the opportunities China has given us. Even today, we remain focused on delivering unforgettable experiences to each and every client.

Meaningfully Connecting People

2008 – 2012

A Turning Point: Entering the Hotel Industry

One key moment changed our trajectory. After successfully delivering our first hotel event, our team discovered something special. We fell in love with the hospitality industry – and its mission to create meaningful, lasting experiences.

We soon recognised that our own values were deeply aligned with this industry. We didn’t just want to produce beautiful events; we wanted them to make a lasting impact and foster genuine connections among people.

This shared vision led us to become the leading event agency in China’s hotel sector. Over the years, we have managed a wide variety of events – from grand openings and corporate activations to food and beverage campaigns.

We continue to uphold our mission: to create unforgettable moments that connect people in powerful and lasting ways. Our journey with hotels is a true reflection of that purpose.

Bridging Cultures

2012 – 2019

Expanding into the Corporate World

As Riviera Events continued to grow, we expanded into corporate events – a field that brought both exciting opportunities and unique challenges. One of the most significant hurdles we faced was bridging cultures. Working with clients from diverse backgrounds pushed us to develop events that connected people across borders, fostering mutual understanding and cultural appreciation.

Over the years, we have had the privilege of collaborating with international companies across China and beyond. We have handled a wide range of gatherings – from client events and team-building activities to internal alignment meetings and festive staff parties. Thanks to our bilingual and bi-cultural team, we have been able to deeply understand and adapt to the DNA of each client. Whether from the Middle East, Europe, America, or Southeast Asia, we have worked to create experiences that resonate with the Chinese audience in a meaningful way.

Going Beyond: Regional Expansion

As our reputation grew in China, we naturally looked toward new horizons. We saw an opportunity to introduce our unique style of event planning to other dynamic regions.

In 2019, we launched Riviera Thailand, driven by the same mission: to meaningfully connect people in one of the most culturally rich and diverse countries in the world.

Later that same year, we expanded again – this time to Singapore. This move came with its own set of exciting challenges. Nevertheless, we worked diligently to build our reputation. We relied on our experience and creative approach to deliver events that not only met expectations but often exceeded them, leaving a lasting impression on both clients and guests.

A Multicultural Strength

Throughout all our expansions, one strength has remained central to our success: our ability to bridge cultures. This multicultural mindset has allowed us to craft events that go beyond logistics – events that are truly memorable, emotionally engaging, and tailored to diverse audiences.

Adapting to Change

2020 – 2022

Adapting Through Crisis: Innovation in the Face of Adversity

Throughout the pandemic years, Riviera Events – like many companies around the world – faced unprecedented challenges. The global events industry came to an abrupt halt.

However, as a company built on innovation and adaptability, we were quick to respond. We pivoted toward virtual and hybrid experiences to stay connected with our clients and their audiences.

At the same time, many major U.S. tech companies, including Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, announced a global halt on offline events for the year ahead. This shift created a clear signal: the future of events, at least for the time being, would rely on digital solutions.

Embracing this change, we leveraged technology to craft engaging and interactive online experiences. These weren’t  just digital meetings – they were creative, purpose-driven events designed to foster genuine connection, even across screens.

This period put our resilience to the test. But more importantly, it confirmed our agility and our unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional experiences – no matter the circumstances.

Looking to the Future

2023 and beyond!

Looking Ahead: A Future Full of Possibilities

As the world continues to emerge from the pandemic and its lasting impact on the events industry, we at Riviera Events are filled with excitement for what lies ahead. A new chapter is unfolding – and we are ready for it.

Thanks to the lessons learned over the past few years, we believe offline events will once again take center stage. They remain a powerful way to create meaningful human connections – something we have always valued deeply.

At the same time, we recognise the growing role of technology. With continued advancements, hybrid formats are becoming more common. They allow us to connect people across borders while also reducing the environmental footprint of events – a win-win for innovation and sustainability.

Continuing the Journey

Our team is committed to staying ahead. We will keep innovating while staying true to our core values: meaningful connection, creativity, and exceptional service.

By sharing our story, we hope to inspire others – those thinking about venturing into the unknown or launching something new. Like us, they may discover that with hard work, courage, and a willingness to take risks, meaningful opportunities are still out there, waiting to be seized.

Planning your next event in China, Singapore or Thailand?