Case Study: One Nation Paris
Slackline event at a shopping mall: a look back at One Nation Paris
How can you liven up a shopping center to bring visitors back and create an experience that goes beyond everyday shopping? The answer was tested at One Nation Paris, France’s largest outlet mall located in Les Clayes-sous-Bois, 30 minutes from Paris and 10 minutes from Versailles: an indoor slackline event combining an aerial show, live interaction on stage, and a beginner’s workshop on the ground. Slackline Events set up the event in two separate sessions, including a “Santa Claus” version before the holidays. Here’s how it unfolded and what it achieved.
Event Objectives
One Nation Paris was looking for an attraction that could do three things at once: draw in crowds, extend the length of visits, and give loyal customers a reason to come back. These three requirements often conflict with one another in a mall.
Traditional entertainment (DJs, mascots, photo booths) rarely hits all three marks. An indoor slackline show forces visitors to look up and breaks the mall’s dominant visual flow, where people’s gaze is naturally drawn to the store windows.
Background and Challenges
Organizing entertainment in a shopping mall comes with its own unique challenges. The flow of people is constant, and there is no seated audience. Visitors stop for a few minutes, then move on, and are replaced by others. A performance must therefore be easy to follow within a few seconds, capable of being repeated several times a day, and safe for passersby who aren’t there to watch a show.
From a technical standpoint, One Nation Paris features three patios covered by a 4,500-square-meter glass roof, allowing for aerial installations regardless of the weather. The challenge: identifying anchor points capable of supporting the weight of a moving performer several meters above a busy area. This is exactly the type of installation covered by our highline show for events.
Our solution: show, microphone, and workshop
The program was organized into three parts, all taking place on the same day.
Five performances lasting 10 to 15 minutes, spaced out throughout the center’s opening hours. This schedule ensures that different groups of visitors will come across at least one performance during their visit, without requiring anyone to set aside their entire afternoon to watch the entire show.
A performer equipped with a wireless microphone. It was this angle that changed everything. Philip, the slackliner, was speaking live from the line. The children could ask him questions: “Are you scared?”, “Could you fall?”, “How long have you been doing this?”, “Can you do tricks?”. We could hear his breathing and his words as he sought his balance. The audience went from being silent spectators to active participants. That’s what sets an event-style show apart from a simple sports demonstration.
A ground slackline workshop after every show. Low lines set at ankle height in a secure area, so visitors can try it for themselves. The passive show turns into an active experience. Details are available on the slackline introductory workshops page.
Highlights
The highlight of the event came during the second session, scheduled just before Christmas. Philip put on another show dressed in a full Santa Claus costume. Families who had come for their holiday shopping watched as Santa Claus walked along a tightrope suspended about 9 meters above their heads, inside the mall’s atrium.
The effect on the children became a recurring anecdote among the team: for the rest of the day, you’d see four- or five-year-olds wandering through the aisles with their arms outstretched, balancing on an imaginary beam, mimicking the Santa Claus they’d just seen. For them, the standard image of Santa Claus is no longer the sleigh in the sky, but the strap stretched across the glass roof. This kind of detail says a lot about the lasting impression the event leaves, long after the visitors have gone home.
Results and Impact
[[To be completed: number of visitors reached, UGC content posted by the public, qualitative feedback from One Nation Paris]]
Three qualitative findings stand out:
- People are pulling out their phones. A man walking 9 meters down the atrium of a mall isn't a sight you see everywhere else, so people film him and share the video without being prompted.
- Interaction through the microphone creates an emotional connection that visuals alone cannot produce. Children remember the performer's first name.
- The format is being repeated. One Nation Paris has requested the event again for the Christmas season, which confirms its operational ROI.
For similar events in prestigious indoor venues, see the opening ceremony for the Forum Fribourg or the UDECAM corporate event in Paris.
Tips for shopping center managers
If you manage a mall, an outlet center, or a retail park and are considering this format, here are five things to keep in mind.
- Schedule several short performances rather than one long one. The flow of people in a shopping mall never stops. Five 10- to 15-minute sessions reach more people than a single 45-minute show.
- Add an interactive element. The show alone is impressive. The hands-on workshop transforms that impression into a lived experience, which makes the memory last longer.
- Test the wireless microphone beforehand. Echoes in a large glass-roofed space can ruin the audio quality. A technical rehearsal in the morning is not optional.
- Time the promotion to coincide with a key sales period— such as Christmas, the sales, Black Friday, or the mall’s anniversary. The promotion boosts foot traffic that was already picking up.
- Brief the communications team. The best time to post is often right after the first show, when the surprise is still fresh. Film first thing in the morning, not at the end of the day.
Conclusion
Slacklining performances in shopping malls work for one simple reason: they shift the visual focus. Visitors have been looking down at the store windows ever since they entered the mall, and suddenly they look up. It is this shift in focus that creates the memory, not the technical feat alone.
To assess the feasibility of your project in a shopping center, outlet mall, or retail park, let’s discuss it.
FAQ
How much does a slackline event at a shopping mall cost?
The budget depends on the number of performances, the format (show only or show plus workshop), the duration of the event, and the venue’s technical requirements. A typical day featuring multiple shows and an introductory workshop falls within a price range suitable for promotional event budgets. For a detailed quote, please contact Slackline Events.
Can a slackline be set up inside a shopping mall?
Yes, provided the building has anchor points capable of withstanding the tension of the cable and the performer’s dynamic weight. Shopping centers with glass roofs or exposed beam structures are the most suitable. A preliminary technical inspection will determine feasibility.
What is the minimum height required for a highline show?
An event highline is typically set up between 6 and 15 meters above the ground. At One Nation Paris, the line was about 9 meters high. The height depends on the venue’s structure and the desired effect.
How many performances can you do in a day?
Between 4 and 6 performances lasting 10 to 15 minutes can be done without technical strain. Beyond that, the performer’s comfort and the quality of the show suffer. The format of One Nation Paris (five shows) strikes a good balance.
Will the public be able to try slacklining during the event?
Yes, it's actually recommended. Slacklines set up on the ground allow anyone, including children, to try it out safely. For more details, see the page on introductory slackline workshops.
Is the slackline dangerous for visitors?
No, not for the audience. The show area is clearly marked off, the equipment is duplicated for redundancy, and the anchors are oversized. The ground-level workshop takes place on lines at ankle height, with no significant risk of falling.
Should part of the mall be closed during the show?
Not necessarily. A safety zone is marked off below the line, but traffic lanes around it remain open. Logistics is coordinated with center management during the site inspection.
What formats are available for Christmas and the holidays?
The show can be themed: Santa Claus, winter attire, lights, and appropriate music. The Santa Claus version featured at One Nation Paris has become a replicable format for shopping malls during the month of December.
How long does it take to install the equipment?
Allow 2 to 4 hours for setup, depending on the complexity of the venue and the height of the line. Takedown is quicker. Setting up in the morning allows shows to begin in the early afternoon.
Does slacklining work for shopping malls abroad?
Yes. Slackline Events in Switzerland, France, and more than 20 other countries. The equipment is portable, and the team travels with the appropriate anchors.
What is the difference between a slackline, a highline, and a trickline?
In general terms, a slackline is a taut strap. A highline refers to a slackline stretched at a height (typically over 5 meters). A trickline is an acrobatic slackline involving tricks, jumps, and bounces. For event performances, see the acrobatic slackline show.
How many people can a slackline event in a mall attract?
It all depends on the foot traffic at the venue. At One Nation Paris, across five performances spread throughout the day, the cumulative reach covers the majority of visitors present that day, plus everyone who was exposed to the content through filmed and reposted footage.
Can we combine the show with a team-building activity or a corporate event at the center?
Yes. The show and workshop can be incorporated into a private event held in a section of the mall (such as a private patio event, VIP party, or brand launch). See the slackline team-building format.
The most telling result: 4- and 5-year-olds imitating Santa Claus as they balance along the aisles for the rest of the day.