Media invitation - The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal plays host to Minister Line Beauchamp, Claude Chagnon, Jacynthe Côté and Éric Lamarre as part of the Journées de la persévérance scolaire

The important role of business in supporting the next generation

MONTREAL, Feb. 16, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, is pleased to invite the press to its Hot Issues@Lunch on Friday, February 17, when a panel of business luminaries will address the issue of dropping out of school.

They will discuss avenues to tackle this troubling problem and foster the success of the next generation of Quebeckers, as well as the consequences of dropping out of school on the Québec economy and businesses. The panel, organized as part of the Journées de la persévérance scolaire, will be moderated by René Vézina, columnist and blogger for Les Affaires and columnist at 98.5 FM.

To close out the event, Line Beauchamp, Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, will make a speech.

Guest speakers

Line Beauchamp (closing word)
Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports

Claude Chagnon (panelist)
President, Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation

Jacynthe Côté (panelist)
Chief Executive Officer, Rio Tinto Alcan

Éric Lamarre (panelist)
Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company Canada

René Vézina (moderator)
Columnist and blogger, Les Affaires newspaper; columnist, 98.5 FM

Before and after the luncheon, you will have a chance to visit information booths hosted by a range of organizations that work daily to encourage young people to stay in school.

Date:	Friday, February 17, 2012
Time:	From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Exhibitors - 11:30 a.m. (Foyer, 4^th floor) Panel - 12:15 p.m. (Ballroom, 4^th floor) Closing word from Minister Line Beauchamp - 1:15 p.m. Exhibitors - 1:30 to 3 p.m. (Foyer, 4^th floor)
Place:	The Sheraton Centre 1201 René-Lévesque Blvd. West Montréal

The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has some 7,000 members. Its primary mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec's leading private economic development organization.

Please confirm your attendance with Sylvie Paquette, Advisor, Media Relations, by phone at 514 871-4000, ext. 4015, or by email at [email protected].