Former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to deliver keynote speech at the Board of Trade on March 18

MONTREAL, Dec. 5, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is pleased to announce that Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former U.S. Secretary of State and Former U.S. Senator from New York will visit Montréal. Secretary Clinton will speak at the Palais des congrès de Montréal on March 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. as part of the Board of Trade's "Bell International Leaders" series. 

"It's an honour to have an important figure like Secretary Clinton speak before the Board of Trade," said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. "At a time when the global economy is seeking stability and globalization is forcing us to rethink existing models, we are playing host to someone who has championed human rights, the protection of the environment, diplomacy and economic development. In her role as Secretary of State, she demonstrated that harmonious relations between nations are the pathway to success in trade and developing new markets. Not content with mere change, she invented new approaches to redefine the world we live in. She is one of the figures who are writing our history and who keep moving us forward."

Hillary Rodham Clinton served as the 67^th U.S. Secretary of State from 2009 until 2013, after nearly four decades in public service. Her "smart power" approach to foreign policy repositioned American diplomacy and development for the 21^st century.  Clinton played a central role in restoring America's standing in the world, reasserting the United States as a Pacific power, imposing crippling sanctions on Iran and North Korea, responding to the Arab Awakening and negotiating a ceasefire in the Middle East.

Earlier, as First Lady and Senator from New York, she traveled to more than 80 countries as a champion of human rights, democracy, and opportunities for women and girls. Clinton also worked to provide health care to millions of children, create jobs and opportunity, and support first responders who risked their lives at Ground Zero. In her historic campaign for President, Clinton won 18 million votes.

"After over 40 years of public service, Secretary Clinton is a true builder and a fine example," Michel Leblanc said. "She has brought her incredible energy and strength of character to bear in her roles as First Lady of the United States, Senator for the State of New York and Secretary of State, and, today, in managing the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation. Her tremendous accomplishments have required determination, tenacity and leadership, qualities entrepreneurs aspiring to success need. I hope the business community will turn out in force to draw inspiration from Secretary Clinton." 

This Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal event is held with the support of Bell, in partnership with evenko and with the collaboration of CJAD 800, Gaz Métro, La Presse, Loto-Québec, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and The Gazette. The presentation will be followed by a conversation between Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sophie Brochu, President and CEO, Gaz Métro.

President Bill Clinton, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, President Nicolas Sarkozy, President Mikhail Gorbachev, Senator Arnold Schwarzenegger, Prime minister Tony Blair, President George W. Bush, and Former Chairman of the Federal Reserve of the United States, Alan Greenspan have all preceded Secretary Clinton as speakers in the Board of Trade's "International Leaders" series.  

For more information visit the Board of Trade website at www.btmm.qc.ca/h-clinton.

The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local 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. 

SOURCE: Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal

Michelle LLambias Meunier 
Advisor, Media Relations 
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal 
Tel.: [phone], ext. 4042
[email protected]

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