Quarterly Report - July 1 to September 30, 2015 - Sharp rise in major events confirmed at Palais des congrès de Montréal: $117,000,000 in economic benefits

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 22, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - For the quarter ending September 30, 2015, the Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal has confirmed it has secured seven international¹ conventions, four national² conventions and seven major trade shows to be held in the future, representing a sharp rise of 120% for the convention market over the same period last year. Confirmed in collaboration with Tourisme Montréal, the events are expected to draw over 65,000 business tourists to Montréal, also up sharply compared to last year. The participants will book over 62,000 room nights in hotels across the city. Overall, these events will result in economic benefits estimated at over $117 million, or quadruple that generated for the same quarter in 2014-2015.

"Many of the prestigious conventions confirmed recently are for over 3,000 delegates, which speaks to the excellent work being performed by the Business Development, Strategic Alliances and Marketing teams in attracting major events to the city. Their contribution, whether in the field or studying strategic data or creating impactful communications, directly influences the extent to which the city hosts major scientific conventions," indicated Raymond Larivée, President and CEO of the Palais des congrès de Montréal. "The top host city in the Americas⁴ for a fourth consecutive year and Gold Quality Standards certified by the AIPC, Montréal and the Palais are both well positioned internationally, while continuing to create significant economic and intellectual wealth for all of Québec," he added.

Among the large-scale events hosted during the quarter, 10 were conventions and six were trade shows. These accounted for an estimated nearly $51,000,000 in economic benefits. Comiccon and Otakuthon were among the shows hosted, which drew several thousand participants to Montréal during peak festival season, and the AAJ 2015 Annual Convention, which brought in an estimated sum of almost $6.2 million for the economy.

Year-to-date events confirmed for the coming years (April 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015)
International and national conventions: 18
Trade shows: 11
Estimated room nights: 97 447
Total estimated economic benefits: $161 333 044 

Projected results from conventions and trade shows hosted (April 1, 2015 – March 31, 2016)
International and national conventions: 40
Trade shows: 27
Estimated room nights: 158 322
Total estimated economic benefits: $229 079 487

About the Palais des congrès de Montréal
Recipient of the AIPC Gold Quality Standards certification, the highest in the convention industry, the Palais des congrès de Montréal attracts and hosts conventions, exhibitions, conferences, meetings and other events, and generates major economic benefits for Québec. 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. To learn more: www.mtl.org

¹ Including U.S. convention
² Including Québec conventions
³ Union of International Associations (uia.org)
⁴ International Association of Convention Centres

SOURCE Palais des congrès de Montréal

Source: Chrystine Loriaux, Adm.A., B.A.A., 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 protected], Phone: [phone]; Andrée-Anne Pelletier, Manager, Corporate Public Relations, Tourisme Montréal, [email protected], Phone: [phone]