Quarterly Report - October 1 to December 31, 2013 - The Palais des congrès confirms 20 major conventions and trade shows that will generate $73,000,000 for Montréal and Québec

MONTREAL, Feb. 6, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - For the quarter ending December 31, 2013, the Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal has confirmed it has secured a total of 93 events, including eight international¹ conventions and five national² conventions. These 13 major events will generate an estimated $65+M and attract more than 57,000 convention-goers to the city, representing an increase of nearly 85% over the same period last year. Secured primarily with the cooperation of Tourisme Montréal, the events will result in nearly 81,000 room nights being booked in hotels across the city.

In terms of trade shows, seven events have been newly confirmed, up significant;y by 40% compared to the same quarter last year. It is estimated these new events will generate almost $7.5M for Montréal and Québec.

Overall, the conventions and trade shows confirmed in the third quarter will generate an estimated 81,000+ room nights for Montréal hotels, an increase of nearly 35%, and almost $73M in economic spinoffs, which is comparable to the total for the third quarter of 2012-13.

"Our teams succeeded in establishing close ties with our clients. By working alongside the Palais' Ambassadors and tailoring our development and relationship marketing strategies to our target markets, we have been able to confirm nearly $214M for the economy since the start of our current financial year," explains André Saucier, acting President and Chief Executive Officer of the Palais de Montréal. "Business performance is at the core of our actions and we will continue to set ourselves apart so that Montréal can remain the top host city in the Americas for international conventions," adds Saucier.

Events hosted
Among the large-scale events hosted during the quarter were 13 conventions and 10 trade shows, which generated over $65M for Montréal, drew nearly 53,000 business tourists and resulted in almost 44,000 room nights being booked in the city's hotels. These events included the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress and its 6,000 delegates, the 3rd World Parkinson Congress - WPC 2013, which generated over $6.7M in economic benefits, and the Aerospace Innovation Forum, secured thanks to the efforts of Dr. Hany Moustapha, Director of AÉROÉTS and an Emeritus Ambassador of the Palais.

Year-to-date events confirmed for the coming years (April 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013)
International and national conventions: 42
Estimated room nights: 215 446
Estimated economic spinoffs: $185 754 642

Projected results from conventions hosted (April 1, 2013 - March 31, 2014)
International and national conventions: 42
Estimated room nights: 167 576
Estimated economic spinoffs: $162 184 353

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 the city and Québec and has contributed proudly for over 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 our website at congresmtl.com.

About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position the "Montréal" destination on leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal's tourism product in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the market. For more information, please visit www.tourisme-montreal.org.

1. Including U.S. conventions  2. Including Québec conventions

SOURCE: Palais des congrès de Montréal

For further information:

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

For information: 
Jimmy Laforge
Advisor, Communications and Public Affairs
Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal
Jimmy.Laforge@congresmtl.com
Phone: 514 871-5897

Alexandra Graveline
Manager, Corporate Public Relations
Tourisme Montréal
graveline.alexandra@tourisme-montreal.org
Phone: 514 844-3558