Montréal ranked top host city in America for international events for second straight year

MONTREAL, June 10, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Yet another victory for Montréal: For a second consecutive year, the city is the top host destination in America for international association events, according to the Union of International Associations' official rankings for 2012. After hosting 79 major international events, Montréal has further entrenched its position as a leader for attracting large-scale international meetings.

The Number One convention centre in Montréal and shortlisted in both 2010 and 2012 for the APEX award for World's Best Convention Centre, the Palais des congrès de Montréal welcomes thousands of convention-goers each year and generates significant intellectual spinoffs for Montréal and Québec.

"Being ranked first two years in a row speaks to the tireless efforts being made by our team and that of Tourisme Montréal to render Montréal the host city international associations look to for their conventions," declared Marc Tremblay, President and CEO of the Palais des congrès de Montréal. "This announcement confirms we made the right choice when we decided to focus on our business performance. One of our objectives is to continue to attract even more international conventions, and this will enable Montréal to hold on to its Number One ranking in America."

"The work in recent years is bearing fruit, as Montréal continues to rate favourably among the world's convention cities. We must continue to push forward with our efforts to promote Montréal, further consolidate the presence of international organizations in our city, and enable the city to adopt the infrastructures that will allow it to pursue its goal of hosting even bigger events," emphasized the Honourable Charles Lapointe, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal.

"We congratulate everyone who had a hand in helping Montréal repeat as the top host city in America in the UIA's 2012 rankings. It proves Montréal and the province have the enviable assets large international associations look for," said Pascal Bérubé, Minister for Tourism.

With this victory, Montréal further solidifies its position atop all destinations located in America. The city finished ahead of other major cities, including Washington, New York, Boston, San Diego, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, as well as Toronto and Vancouver.

Also, the UIA rankings come on the heels of the International Congress and Convention Association's  announcement last May that Montréal ranked first in North America for the number of meetings organized in 2012 by international associations.

About the UIA
The Union of International Associations, founded in 1907, is a research institute and documentation centre that specializes in researching, compiling and providing information on international organizations and international associations as a means of understanding global issues. Through its ongoing efforts to facilitate recognition of the nature and complexities of the international community of organizations, the UIA has become an advanced, state-of-the-art technical centre in the fields of academia, government and business. - http://www.uia.org

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 30 years to sharing knowledge and enhancing Montréal's international reputation as a first-rate destination. To learn more about the Palais des congrès de Montréal, visit our website at www.congresmtl.com.

About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership with regard to the concerted hospitality and promotion efforts aimed at positioning Montréal in leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal's tourism product in accordance with changing market conditions. For more information, visit www.tourisme-montreal.org

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
Phone: [phone]

For information:

Jimmy Laforge
Advisor, Communications and Public Affairs
Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal
[email protected]
Phone: [phone]

Alexandra Graveline
Manager, Corporate Public Relations
Tourisme Montréal
[email protected]
Phone: [phone]