By Luc Charbonneau, Vice-President Business Development and Strategic Alliances, Palais des Congrès de Montréal
What effects has Covid had on our industry, in your view?
Ever since events and conferences resumed in spring 2022, we’ve noticed that people really want to take part in person. In North America, we’re seeing a robust recovery and we’re expecting a return to pre-pandemic figures in terms of the number of international events that we’ll host in 2023. However, trends show that delegates will be more selective in the events they choose to attend, leading to a drop in the number of participants. On the other hand, those visitors could plan to extend their stay at their destination, with business events becoming a gateway to leisure tourism. As a result, destination is a key factor when it comes to holding a convention, and Montréal has to be one of the most popular destinations. The events themselves also have to stand out, both in their content and the participant's experience, in order to justify the trip. At the Palais des congrès de Montréal, we have developed multisensorial spaces that capture the Montréal and Québec experience, so that delegates can meet in an informal and stimulating environment.
- Montréal is the first city in Canada to join the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index). At the Palais des congrès, our eco-conditionality policy offers discounts to organizations that take tangible actions relating to sustainable development throughout their project. The Palais also has a full-time employee in charge of sustainable development who supports organizers towards green actions.
- Innovation being in Montréal’s DNA, the Palais des congrès’ Events Lab shows up as an ideal partner for organizing creative and memorable events. With 14 handpicked local companies proposing innovative solutions such as biometric engagement indicators, pioneering networking approach, customized mixology workshops or a unique glowing plant concept, there is no limit to what can be done to design an event that participants will remember for a long time!
- The Palais des congrès de Montréal enjoys an excellent client satisfaction rate of 92% in client services and support. Backed by our partners, our multidisciplinary experts work closely with our clients throughout the process to make sure their events are a success in every way.
Where to meet?
With 7 floors and 113 multipurpose rental spaces — including one of the largest column-free exhibition halls in Canada — and 47,265 sqm (508 756 sq. ft) of floor space, the Palais has everything you need to host all types of events. Meeting rooms, ballrooms, reception halls and gala rooms; VIP lounges; exhibition halls, and outdoor terraces rentable with or without a marquee: the Palais gives your event access to endless possibilities. We have a strong, reliable fibre-optic network and over 600 Wi-Fi antennas to deliver high-speed performance throughout the Palais.
Where to stay?
From big chains to chic boutique hotels, Montréal has something for every taste and wallet. The city offers 24,600 rooms with 16,000 downtown and 4,000 directly linked to the convention centre via the underground pedestrian network. Comfortable, classy and connected!
How to get there?
Montréal is only a direct flight away from more than 150 destinations worldwide. And downtown is just a few minutes drive from the airport. Essentially, the city is readily accessible in every sense — no stops, no worries.
Do you offer any special services/assistance for associations?
When you choose Montréal, we connect you to 67 international associations and to a dynamic community of local industry champions — the type of people that add both brainpower and flair to a meeting. Want to meet someone in particular? Let us introduce you!
Our multidisciplinary experts will provide turnkey solutions featuring leading-edge technologies, ultra-modern versatile space and exceptional planning and management.
Discover how we help event organizers and participants take sustainable actions through eco-friendly policies. Discounts are offered to our clients taking tangible steps. You’ll also find a wealth of detailed information about how to make your event more sustainable in the new ‘Guide to Best Practices for Sustainable Business Events’.
At the Palais des congrès de Montréal, our team is dedicated to making your event a success. We believe in making planning easier. And we do it by working together. Team Montréal is a coalition of the city’s meeting and convention industry leaders who are here to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. You get dedicated help, from start to finish.
Personal recommendation/insider tips?
Around the Montréal Convention Centre (Palais des congrès)
Crew Collective & Café
Voted as one of the most beautiful cafés in the world, Crew Collective & Café inhabits the historic old premises of the Royal Bank of Canada. Built in the ‘30s, the breathtaking space with intricate vaulted ceilings and gold tones has been preserved and makes for a spectacular place to have a cup of coffee.
Restaurant Monarque
Offering meticulously prepared French classics with a focus on market cuisine, everyone is raving about Monarque, a splendid restaurant in the heart of Old Montréal led by the father-son duo of Richard and Jérémie Bastien.
LE CENTRAL
Showcasing iconic cornerstones of Montréal’s culinary scene as well as rising newcomers, LE CENTRAL is a gourmet carrefour, with open kitchens, signature restaurants, craft breweries, wine bars, and artisanal local products you will like to enjoy back home.
OASIS Immersion
The largest immersive destination in Canada, OASIS Immersion is a multimedia space on the first floor of the Palais de congrès de Montréal. The ambulatory and contactless experience offers three immersive galleries, two light experiences and a cafe-lounge area with a shop.
Esplanade Tranquille
The Esplanade Tranquille’s refrigerated skating rink is an outdoor public space in the heart of downtown Montréal that’s free of charge and ready to welcome skating enthusiasts. Skate, helmet and padlock rentals are available.
To download visuals of these recommendations:
https://dam.mtl.org/share/126040BC-FE4B-4713-B286B2718F6F14A7/
Whom to contact?
By email at sales@congresmtl.com
or by phone at 1 514 871-8122 or 1 800 268-8122 (toll-free in Canada).
Issue #2 – April 2023