Palais des congrès de Montréal to host prestigious World Social Science Forum in 2013

MONTREAL, March 9, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Palais des congrès de Montréal and the International Political Science Association (IPSA) are proud to announce Montréal will host the next World Social Science Forum, October 13 to 15, 2013. The event will draw over 1,000 delegates, generate nearly 3,000 room nights, and contribute nearly $2.2 million to the city's economy. Organized by the International Social Science Council, in collaboration with a consortium led by the executive board of the IPSA, the Forum will focus on the theme of Social Transformation and the Digital Age.

For Professor Guy Lachapelle, the IPSA's Secretary General and an appointed member of the Palais des congrès de Montréal Ambassadors Club, the selection of Montréal once again points to the city's dynamic intellectual climate: "We put together a quality bid, but I am especially proud that we were picked because the decision undeniably reflects Montréal's reputation as a hub of higher learning. The Forum will provide a unique opportunity to discuss the key issues facing the social sciences, the challenges they pose and their repercussions on society, industry, and the environment in particular."

Marc Tremblay, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal, speaks of the Palais' partners and the essential role they played in attracting the event: "The active collaboration of our Ambassadors Club members and tourism partners, including Tourisme Montréal, was instrumental to the success of our bid. We proudly look forward to welcoming the delegates to the Number One host city in North America for international associative events according to the International Congress and Convention Association in 2009, and to hosting them in a convention centre that was among the finalists for the APEX World's Best Congress Centre Award in 2010. The Forum can expect a remarkable experience, and our entire team is already excited about the opportunity to contribute to the success of this prestigious event."

About the International Political Science Association
The International Political Science Association was founded in Paris in 1949. Today it groups together 52 national and regional political science associations, making it the world's largest network of political scientists. It has held congresses in Québec City (2000), in Durban, South Africa (2003), in Fukuoka, Japan (2006) and in Santiago, Chile (2009). It will hold its next congress in Madrid in July 2012, where the theme will be "Reordering Power, Shifting Boundaries," and the co-winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize for Economics, political scientist Elinor Ostrom, will be in attendance. To learn more, visit www.ipsa.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 over 28 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 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 further information:

Source:
Chrystine Loriaux
Director, Marketing and Communications
Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal
Phone: [phone]

For information:
Amélie Asselin
Advisor, Communications and Public Affairs
Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal
Email: [email protected]
Phone: [phone]

Pierre Bellerose
Vice-President, Public Relations, Product Research & Development
Tourisme Montréal
Email: [email protected]
Phone: [phone]

Guy Lachapelle
Secretary General
International Political Science Association
Email: [email protected]
Phone: [phone]