Trade mission to Florida: Quebec companies reinforce their positioning in a flourishing hotel sector Français
MONTRÉAL, Oct. 5, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and its team of international trade experts, the World Trade Centre Montréal, successfully concluded a forth trade mission with the Miami hotel sector. Business meetings and networking activities with well-known groups such as Faena Hotels, The Related Group and Sandals Resorts gave the eight participating companies a chance to tap into opportunities related to décor, renovations, construction materials and hotel equipment and to form ties with possible partners. Some companies even had the chance to submit bids to the groups they met with. This trade mission, which ran from September 29 to October 2, was organized in partnership with Export Québec and the Québec Trade Office in Atlanta.
"The Board of Trade organized this fourth trade mission because of the importance of this market," said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade. "Florida welcomed almost 95 million tourists in 2014, and the Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach area has the highest density of hotels in the U.S. Miami has more than 500 hotels, representing around 50,000 rooms. The city's occupancy rate (80%) is among the highest in the U.S., and the average annual room price increased over US$40 in five years. These favourable conditions mean that hotel owners are investing in infrastructure."
"Florida wants to position itself as a leading destination in the U.S. for conferences and exhibitions, which is contributing to the incredible growth in the hotel sector in Miami," Michel Leblanc said. "There are plans to build 7,500 new rooms by 2017. In addition to new hotels being built, reputable investment companies have bought existing hotels to renovate and operate them more profitably. Given the success of our past trade missions and the interest of companies, the Board of Trade plans to organize a fifth trade mission in the coming year."
"Taking part in the trade mission gave us a chance to meet people we had been trying to approach for over a year," said Bruno Raby, Vice-President of Kalia Inc. "The trade mission lends a great deal of credibility in business meetings."
The following companies participated in the fourth trade mission:
Century Industries Inc.
Cuisine Idéale
Quebec Lighting
Kadrium Design
Kalia Inc.
Keca International Inc.
Lutex Design
The Print Atelier
About the trade mission to Florida
The trade mission to Florida was organized by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal's team of international trade experts, the World Trade Centre Montréal, in cooperation with Export Québec and the Québec Trade Office in Atlanta. This trade mission was conducted as part of the "Exporting Québec – Small Business Conquering the World" initiative, in partnership with La Presse+ and thanks to official carrier Air Canada.
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has 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 business of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.
About the World Trade Centre Montréal
With the help of its World Trade Montréal experts, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal offers international trade services to the extended business community, with the support of Canada Economic Development.
SOURCE Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Michelle LLambias Meunier, Senior Advisor, Public Relations, and Press Attaché, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, Phone: 514 871-4000, extension 4042, [email protected]; Facebook: www.facebook.com/chambremontreal; Twitter: @chambremontreal; Follow the discussion: #ccmmqcca
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