Novo Nordisk - A team-building seminar in Paris
In January 2026, Novo Nordisk brought together 400 employees from its headquarters and field offices in Paris for a major strategic seminar. Designed to be a true turning point, this event marked the launch of a new initiative focused on the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and rare diseases.
Designed and organized by Acmé, this four-day seminar has proven to be much more than just an internal event. It was conceived as an immersive, unifying, and transformative experience, aimed at fostering long-term team engagement, strengthening collective leadership, and instilling a culture of bold and ambitious performance.
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To build buy-in early on and generate significant anticipation for the event, the seminar was designed to be a rare occasion in the company’s calendar—a gathering of teams that rarely interact, united by a common goal: to write a new chapter in the company’s strategy. This approach transformed the seminar into a much-anticipated gathering that embodied both purpose and ambition.
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Acmé designed a comprehensive experience that blended strategic substance with experiential form. The event took place across several iconic Parisian venues, including Le Yoyo and the Palais de Tokyo, offering a setting that was both contemporary and inspiring. The plenary session, the backbone of the seminar, was co-developed with the Novo Nordisk teams to ensure that every presentation flowed seamlessly and engaged the audience. Beyond the content, Acmé paid particular attention to the fluidity of the participant experience. Every detail contributed to creating a premium, cohesive, and seamless experience.
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Beyond its role as an event, this seminar played a key role in Novo Nordisk’s cultural transformation. It helped unite teams around a shared vision and strengthen their sense of belonging. The content, interactions, and shared experiences generated an impact that extends beyond the seminar itself. Employees left with renewed energy, a greater sense of responsibility, and a shared commitment to actively contribute to this new strategic direction.
A participatory plenary session to kickstart a new initiative
The plenary session was the centerpiece of the seminar and served as the defining moment of the week. Designed in close collaboration with the Novo Nordisk teams, it brought together 400 employees from headquarters and the field around a shared strategic goal: launching a new initiative focused on the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and rare diseases.
The creative team drew inspiration from the world of mountaineering and exploration, using this unifying metaphor to illustrate the challenges we must face together and the new milestones we must reach in the fight against chronic diseases.
Designed as a dynamic, participatory session, the plenary session combined structured presentations with interactive segments. Speakers received guidance to enhance the impact of their messages and foster engagement among the audience. This collaborative session transformed a strategic meeting into a genuine opportunity for alignment, giving meaning to the strategic directions presented and uniting the teams around a shared vision.
Group activities designed to foster connections
Designed as key structural highlights, these group activities were created to foster interaction, team building, and the creation of shared memories.
The dining experience, in particular, was designed to be an experience in its own right. During the gala, guests were invited to step outside their comfort zone through a bold culinary concept. Each table featured a “mystery bell” containing an unexpected ingredient to be added to the dish. It was an invitation to experiment, take risks, and embrace new sensations.
The pre-dinner cocktail reception featured immersive stations centered on culinary discovery: seaweed tartare, heirloom vegetables, unexpected pairings… all conversation starters designed to spark spontaneous conversation. Even the drinks offered a fresh take on the classics, with subtle twists.
The dinner, created by a chef with a creative and unconventional approach, offered a modern and surprising culinary experience that perfectly captured the spirit of the seminar. Each plate became a canvas for exploration, much like the challenges undertaken by Novo Nordisk.
Employee engagement at the heart of the experience
One of the cornerstones of the seminar was the active involvement of the participants. Each employee was encouraged to take an active role in the event, contributing to its energy and success.
Speeches, interactive formats, and participatory activities helped create a genuine sense of collective momentum. The speakers, who had received preparation beforehand, effectively conveyed the messages with precision and impact, boosting engagement among the audience.
The presentations, such asthe talk by Christophe Bichet—a mountaineer and “professional patient” who has overcome numerous illnesses—also played a key role in fostering this engagement.
Through a live voting system, participants could influence the course of the plenary session by choosing which topics to explore. It was a fun and symbolic way of reminding everyone that they have a role to play in building the collective.
By putting employees at the center, the seminar transformed what could have been a routine corporate event into a deeply human, engaging, and memorable experience.
Client information
Novo Nordisk is a leading international healthcare company owned by a foundation and headquartered in Denmark. Building on its heritage in diabetes care, the company is committed to driving change to combat serious chronic diseases, including obesity.
Through its scientific innovations and patient-centered approach, Novo Nordisk has established itself as a major player in global healthcare. Its mission is underpinned by a strong commitment to acting responsibly, placing environmental and societal issues at the heart of its operations.
Curious corner
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Launch a new strategy focused on the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and rare diseases, while bringing teams together for the start of the 2026 academic year.
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Through interactive formats, a collaboratively designed plenary session, participatory activities, and strong participant engagement throughout the event.
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They helped build connections, strengthen cohesion, and ensure that the messages took root through shared experiences.
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Because of its transformative nature, its high standards in terms of experience, and its ability to combine strategy, emotion, and collective commitment.