The Board of Trade hosts a Web 2.0 pioneer: the famous founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales

MONTRÉAL, Feb. 24, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - After Apple's Steve Wozniak, Twitter's Biz Stone, Facebook's Chris Hughes and Google's Patrick Pichette, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is proud to host the famous entrepreneur and founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, as part of its Bell International Leaders series on April 11 at 8 p.m. at Centre Pierre-Péladeau's Salle Pierre-Mercure.

A great international leader
"Today Wikipedia is the fifth most visited website in the world, thanks to the leadership of its founder, Jimmy Wales," said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. "He redefined traditional business models by having the vision to put the platform he created in the hands of Internet users. This laid the foundations for Web 2.0, founded on the importance of democracy, the community and the exchange of information. Given this feat and many others that are equally impressive, it was only natural that we invite him to our Bell International Leaders series, which he generously accepted. His message as he looks back on the evolution of Wikipedia will no doubt be an inspiration for the Montréal community."

Wikipedia celebrated its 15^th anniversary in 2016
"Fifteen years ago, Jimmy Wales took a risk: to create an online encyclopedia that could be edited by Internet users anywhere in the world, in any language," Mr. Leblanc said. "His vision to bring together all of human knowledge in one place was just as ambitious. But after Wikipedia's many years of existence in a world where technology is evolving at a dizzying pace, Jimmy Wales' risk paid off. Today Wikipedia is a symbol of stability in the digital world and a crucial source of information."

To read Jimmy Wales's bio, click here.

This Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal event, produced with the support of Bell, is organized in association with the Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal, in partnership with evenko and with the collaboration of CJAD 800., La Presse+, the Montreal Gazette and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP.

The Bell International Leaders series receives inspiring, internationally recognized personalities from every field whose vision and achievements have changed the world. In addition to Jimmy Wales, the Board of Trade has hosted famous scientist and author David Suzuki, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, President Nicolas Sarkozy, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and television host Larry King.

For more information about Jimmy Wales' appearance or to take part, please visit the Board of Trade's website at http://www.btmm.qc.ca.

About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal's business community and to promote the city's prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration, and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to businesses of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.

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SOURCE Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal

Guillaume Bérubé, Advisor, Media Relations, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, Phone: [phone], extension 4042, [email protected]