2012 Recognition Award Gala: The Palais des congrès celebrates excellence and Montréal's international reputation

MONTREAL, Nov. 15, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Palais des congrès de Montréal closed its 3rd Rendez-vous du Savoir in style on November 15, 2012 by hosting its prestigious annual Recognition Award Gala. Attended by over 600 guests, this exceptional evening celebrated the work of five Ambassadors who helped attract international conventions to Montréal, in addition to supporting emerging researchers and promoting Québec research internationally as a key economic driver.

"I would like to congratulate our five new Ambassadors, who have made it possible for us to host five major events in Montréal and generate over $34 million for the province's economy," declared Marc Tremblay, President and CEO of the Palais des congrès. "Their contribution ensures that Montréal will continue to be the premier host city for international meetings, and in the process, will help generate invaluable intellectual spinoffs since the people who will be attending from all over the world are experts in fields that coincide with key sectors of Québec's economy."

As the minister responsible for the Société du Palais des congrès, Québec Tourism Minister Pascal Bérubé acknowledged the Ambassadors' considerable contribution and commitment: "In 2010, business tourists and convention-goers, 68% of whom originated from outside Québec, spent over $972 million in the province. By combining your expertise and contacts to make it possible to welcome and host so many participants, you enable Montréal to benefit from the sizeable economic spinoffs they help generate."

Five new Ambassadors join the Club
The Recognition Award Gala salutes the exceptional contribution of influential and dynamic individuals from  Montréal's various segments of excellence who step outside of their usual professions to actively bring international conventions to the city. Their work helps generate economic and intellectual wealth for the city and province. By 2016, the events these newly minted Ambassadors helped attract will have brought over 13,000 visitors to Montréal and generated over $34.6 million for the city's economy, including 30,000 room nights for Montréal's hotels.

The Ambassadors Appointed in 2012

Michel Béland
First WWRP Earth-System Open Science Conference, August 17 to 21, 2014

D^r Jean Gotman
30th International Epilepsy Congress, June 23 to 27, 2013

Wagdi Habashi
ASME 2014 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, November 14 to 20, 2014

Guy Lachapelle
World Social Science Forum, October 13 to 15, 2013

Richard Villemur
16th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology, August 21 to 26, 2016

International Recognition Award
This Award honours an individual or organization for their achievement in promoting Montréal internationally and contributing to the city's development, including its economy. This year's recipient, Bombardier, is a cornerstone of Québec's economy. Bombardier received a vibrant tribute for maintaining Montréal on the world stage and contributing to the city's growth, and also for its global drawing power.

Star researchers of 2012
The Recognition Award Gala was also an opportunity to honour the four 2012 winners of the competition "Ça mérite d'être reconnu!" They are Magaly Brodeur, Vincent Duchaine, Marie-France Marin and Martin-Hugues St-Laurent. This competition, organized as part of the Rendez-vous du Savoir, recognizes researchers who distinguished themselves through their remarkable talent, the excellence of their research and their impact on society.

A green gala event
The 2012 Recognition Award Gala was Level 2 certified for sustainable event management (BNQ standard 9700-253) by the Conseil québécois des événements écoresponsables. Hosted by Jean-François Lépine, the evening featured a performance by Université de Montréal percussion group Sixtrum. The "gastronomic symphony" orchestrated by the Palais for the occasion was executed by Capital Traiteur, the Sheraton Centre Montréal, the Marriott Château Champlain, the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, the InterContinental Montréal, the Westin Montréal, the Hyatt Regency Montréal, the Hilton Montréal Bonaventure, the Delta Centre-Ville and the Ritz-Carlton. The 2012 Recognition Award Gala was produced by id3, with the support of Tourisme Québec, the Desjardins Group, Tourisme Montréal, AVW-TELAV, Kloda Focus, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton and CGI.

About the Palais des congrès de Montréal
The mission of the Palais des congrès de Montréal is to attract and host conventions, exhibitions, conferences, meetings and other events. A public institution with a commercial vocation, the Palais generates major economic spinoffs for Québec and has contributed proudly for nearly 30 years to sharing knowledge and enhancing Montréal's international reputation as a first-rate destination. For more information on the Palais des congrès de Montréal, visit www.congresmtl.com.

About the Rendez-vous du Savoir
The Rendez-vous du Savoir, jointly organized by eight partners from the business, university and institutional communities, aims to highlight the collective wealth institutions of higher learning help create. It builds bridges between universities and businesses, and showcases the important role Québec universities play in advancing creativity, productivity and innovation in our society. The Desjardins Group is the event's presenting sponsor, in association with Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton and CGI. For more information, please go to www.rendezvousdusavoir.com.

SOURCE: Palais des congrès de Montréal

For further information:

N.B. Photographs of the event will be posted November 16 on the Palais des congrès-Montreal Convention Centre Flickr account. High resolution copies may also be requested.

Source: Chrystine Loriaux, Adm.A., B.A.A.
Director, Marketing and Communications
Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal
Phone: 514 871-3108

For information: Amélie Asselin
Advisor, Communications and Public Affairs
Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal
Email: amelie.asselin@congresmtl.com
Phone: 514 871-5897