[Paris] Regeneration 2019 - A second edition which will go down in history !

A second edition which will go down in history !

The 2019 edition of Re-generation Party was held at the magnificent Palmeraie venue where the magical atmosphere conjured up those of Arabian Nights. Nearly 500 Alumni chatted, danced and sang together as though the entire city of Toulouse had turned up in Paris for the party !

No sooner had the guests started to arrive, than the photobooth became the centre of attention. The room was filled with hugs and shouts of “oh, do you remember …?” reunion joy, as heart-warming as the appetizers concocted by Alumni caterers. This year, we were in for a particular treat by the caterers who entertained us with a plethor of culinary skill including mini-burgers and smoked salmon under glass bells - to name just a few of the mouthwatering delights on offer. The abundant choice of drinks to accompany the menu was also supplied by Alumni.

While the photocall remained in full operation, it was time for the first part of the speeches with the recently nominated Director of TBS, Stéphanie Lavigne, accompanied by Pierre Hurstel, President of TBS Alumni and the TBS Fondation.

In front of an audience of alumni spanning from 1969 to 2019, Stéphanie announced the details of the new TBS campus taking shape for 2023 : an internationally renowned architect (Aires Mateus) is responsible for designing a warm and collaborative space.

Stéphanie Lavigne, professor of Strategy at TBS since 2003, recognized many faces amongst the crowd. She reiterated the importance of Alumni within the school’s ecosystem. It is her intent and purpose to work hand in hand with the Alumni Association. She had already observed many interesting ideas which were developed during the Volunteer Seminar earlier in the day. Throughout the evening, many Alumni had the opportunity for a pleasant exchange with her.

Pierre Hurstel appealed to the good will of potential volunteers to strengthen the ranks of TBS Alumni, which is growing more important by the year.

An emotional sequence followed as the graduates from the years ending in 9 gathered on the stage to celebrate. Spokespeople from 1969, 1979, 1989, 1999, 2009 and 2019 shared stories of their university years in a moment of companionship and community spirit.  Anecdotes were revealed and repeated about the Cellar, with conjointly profound statements and bawdy jokes, ending in a memorable “On the banks of the Garonne”.

During the evening, the Alumni Shop was open for business : organic shampoo, foie gras, jam.. an array of articles on show and for sale. It was a chance to promote TBS business ventures and find personal gifts for the festive season.

And talking of festivities, they came to a head when the Bureau Des Arts – uniting 6 different graduate years, gave an electrifying hour-long concert. 3 male and female vocals tuned together smoothly to provide a wide variety of music played by talented musicians. There had obviously been no chance for prior rehearsals for these 6 graduation years, so the result included improvisation that turned into a monumental jam for musicians and dancers alike. They were cheered by the crowd who swayed to the guitar rhythms for an umpteenth time. Yes indeed, we were given proof on the night that TBS can also bring together artistic talent.

It was without doubt a tropical atmosphere, not just because of the palm trees that decorated the venue, but by the heat that emanated from the evening. The temperature continued to rise with the intergenerational music played by our DJs, from “Alexandrie, Alexandra” by Claude François to the Spice Girls’ “Wannabe”. The ambiance could be likened to the best of Toulouse’s night life.

Wine, produced again by Alumni, and other beverages were on offer to quench the thirst of the crazy dancers. Midnight had not yet struck as professors and post-graduates alike toasted each other. Graduates of year 1999 danced with graduates of 2019, while many watched wide-eyed this friendly entertainment to which they were party.

Alumni, for whom the evening was already a success, had travelled from Paris, Singapore, Bogota, Lille, Abidjan, to reunite not only with friends from their graduation year but also to find the happy atmosphere they had known at TBS. Some left at midnight, others stayed on until dawn, but all contributed to this delightful energy which denoted an exceptional evening.

Convinced and all the prouder to be Alumni.

And what about you?

Are you ready to participate in our TBS Alumni events? :)

This truly international event would not have been possible without the commitment and dedication of our volunteer alumni from Paris Chapter, and we extend our warm thanks to all involved :

Alumni Voluntary Organization Team :

Steven Betito, Julie Bouvet (Kohn), Aurélien Chappotteau, Diego Delamare, Carla Dessommes, Solange Dufour, Marion Felix, Clément Guerrero, Jean Zheng, Stéphane Thion, Guillaume Gemar, Thomas Parouty and Charles Mondolini.

Alumni Suppliers :

Andrea Desantis --> Film

Arthur Lallemand --> Arthur et Adrien Wines

Célia Favre --> Umaï Natural Cosmetics

Clémence Rebeyrat --> Production Manager

François Cornelis--> Sound and Lighting

James de Roquette-Buisson--> Foies Gras

Laurent Farges--> Terra Gourma, Catering

Nathalie Vignoli --> Domaine de Laquille Wine

Entertainment :

Graduate years ending in 9 and the Bureau of Arts, Hollywood Boulev’Art.