Quarterly Report - October 1 to December 31, 2014 - The Palais des congrès de Montréal generated $62,000,000 in economic benefits by hosting 22 major events

MONTRÉAL, Feb. 18, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - For the quarter ending December 31, 2014, the Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal confirmed 7 conventions and 8 tradeshows that will generate a future influx of 26,000 business tourists to Montréal, and an estimated nearly $35.4 million for the city's economy. These events, secured with the collaboration of Tourisme Montréal and Palais Ambassadors, will translate into nearly 15,500 room nights for Montréal's hotels. Overall, 84 events were confirmed during the third quarter of 2014-2015, which is comparable to last year for the same period.

The Palais des congrès predicts that 2014-15 will be marked by 2 significant outcomes: 

• The holding of 75 conventions and tradeshows — A new record
• The hosting of 196,000 participating business tourists including 127,000 convention-goers — 28% more than the average for the last 5 years

"By generating nearly $247,000,000 for Montréal's and Québec's economy by year's end, as we are projecting, the Palais des congrès de Montréal is actively, and proudly, contributing to the province's economic development," says Raymond Larivée, President and CEO of the Palais des congrès. "The coming 2015-16 year will also be an opportunity to keep the momentum going by generating even more economic benefits," adds Larivée.

Among the large-scale events hosted during the quarter, 13 were conventions and 9 were tradeshows, for a total of almost 53,000 business tourists who generated an estimated $62,000,000 for Montréal's and Québec's economy. These business tourism generating events accounted for 27,715 room nights being booked in hotels across the city.

Year-to-date events confirmed for the coming years (April 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014)
International and national conventions: 17
Tradeshows: 18
Estimated room nights: 61 729
Total estimated economic benefits: $106 369 277

Projected annual results from conventions and tradeshows hosted (April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2014)
International and national conventions: 48
Tradeshows: 27
Estimated room nights: 173 970
Total estimated economic benefits: $246 770 860

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 benefits for Québec and has contributed proudly for over 30 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 our website at 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: 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: Amélie Asselin, Advisor, Communications and Public Affairs, Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal, [email protected], Phone: [phone]; Pierre Bellerose, Vice President, Public Relations, Hospitality, Research and Product Development, Tourisme Montréal, [email protected], Phone: [phone]