An innovative alliance between the Palais des congrès de Montréal, Tourisme Montréal and UQAM: a new agreement that will showcase the metropolis
MONTRÉAL, April 29, 2025 /CNW/ - The Palais des congrès de Montréal, Tourisme Montréal and the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) signed a historic tripartite agreement—the first of its kind—marking a turning point in how to collaborate to attract and support international-caliber conferences and congresses, and turn Montréal into a business tourism hub and an ever more dynamic and influential city.
A collective strike force
Where once they worked as volunteers to attract international congresses, members of UQAM's faculty will now be able to receive structured and financial support. Faculty who commit to organizing congresses that bring together 500 participants or more will be offered co-funded release time from courses. The goal is threefold: to give them the means, the time and the momentum to attract more congresses, to promote their expertise, and to enhance Montréal's profile.
This new agreement is built on the simple but powerful belief that by pooling their expertise, networks and resources, the three partners can achieve so much more—together.
An agreement with multiple spinoffs
The agreement is based on several strategic orientations, including:
- Bringing additional vitality to the Quartier Latin and promoting Montréal as a university metropolis, by relying on an enhanced urban experience in the downtown core
- Promoting major sectors of influence in the metropolis and the expertise of UQAM's faculty
The Knowledge Collective: a strategic ally for UQAM professors
The Knowledge Collective, a joint initiative of the Palais des congrès de Montréal and Tourisme Montréal launched in 2024, seeks to be a key strategic partner in organizing international congresses. This single point of access offers personalized assistance and concrete resources to streamline the process for specialists from a given filed in attracting international events to Montréal. With the expertise, resources and network of the Palais des congrès and Tourisme Montréal, these professionals enjoy support in reaching their objectives.
Faculty at UQAM wishing to attract a major international event to Montréal will be able to turn to The Knowledge Collective for made-to-measure support and contribute to promoting both their research field and the metropolis.
QUOTES
"After launching The Knowledge Collective in April 2024 to support initiatives to attract international gatherings to Montréal, we're delighted to be taking a further concrete step with the signing of this historic agreement. Already recognized as a premier destination for international association events in the Americas, according to the Union of International Associations and the International Congress and Convention Association, Montréal is sure to consolidate its position as a business tourism leader on the international stage." – Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal
"This pivotal agreement is an important step in strengthening ties between UQAM, Tourisme Montréal and the Palais des congrès. It will promote innovative and lasting collaborations, by drawing on the expertise and leadership of our faculty—the drivers in attracting major scientific congresses—and will actively contribute to the international promotion of Montréal as a metropolis of knowledge, culture and innovation. It also aligns with our desire to contribute to the vitality of the Quartier Latin and downtown." – Stéphane Pallage, Rector of UQAM
"This historic alliance marks a decisive turning point in confirming Montréal as one of the world's great business tourism and knowledge cities. By concretely assisting local experts through a solid support structure, we're providing them with the means to promote their expertise, attract a greater number of international congresses and enhance the metropolis's influence. The Palais des congrès is proud to be at the heart of this exceptional synergy that will sustainably amplify Montréal's economic, scientific and cultural impact on the world stage." – Emmanuelle Legault, President and CEO of the Palais des congrès de Montréal
About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is a 100-year-old private, non-profit organization that works to position Montréal as an international-calibre leisure and business travel destination. To this end, the organization is piloting innovative hospitality strategies with a two-fold objective: ensuring that visitors enjoy a memorable experience and maximizing tourism economic spin-offs in a sustainable way with long-term impacts for the city. Uniting nearly 1,000 businesses and organizations working directly or indirectly in tourism, Tourisme Montréal plays a leading role in the management and development of Montréal's tourism business, and makes recommendations on issues surrounding the city's economic, urban and cultural development. For more information, go to mtl.org.
About UQAM
The Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) is a French-language public university of international stature. The originality and unique characteristics of its programs, its cutting-edge research, often focused on social issues, and its creative innovations have contributed to building its renown for the past 56 years. Dynamic and innovative, UQAM offers more than 365 programs, half of which are at the masters and doctoral level, in management, arts, communication, political science and law, science, education, health, humanities and social sciences. An active contributor to social, economic and cultural advances, UQAM has produced more than 310,000 active graduates in a diverse range of fields.
About the Palais des congrès de Montréal
A creative solutions centre and a showcase for the city's spirit and expertise, the Palais des congrès de Montréal has been promoting and hosting large-scale events since 1983. Generating significant economic, social and intellectual benefits, it encourages innovation and acts as a force for progress for both Montréal and Québec. The Palais is firmly committed to sustainability and takes numerous innovative, concrete steps to make it a central component of its business development. With one of the highest customer satisfaction rates in the world, the Palais actively contributes to the international reputation of Montréal, the top host city for international events in America for eight years in a row. congresmtl.com
SOURCE Palais des congrès de Montréal
Information: Aurélie de Blois, Corporate communications, public and media relations Tourisme Montréal, 514 918-5290 / [email protected]; Julie Meunier, Communication Officer, Press Relations and Special Events Division, Communications Service, 514-987-3000, extension 1707 / [email protected]; Sébastien Zickgraf, Advisor and Copywriter, Communications and Public Affairs, Palais des congrès de Montréal, 514 871-5849 / [email protected]
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