IGLOOFEST wins an Ulysse award at the Gala des Grands Prix du tourisme
québécois for the Montréal region

MONTREAL, March 26 /CNW Telbec/ - Last Wednesday evening, the 2009 edition of Igloofest won a prestigious Ulysse award at the Gala des Grands Prix du tourisme québécois for the greater Montréal area in the Festivals and tourist events category - budget under $1 million. Only 16 artisans who stood out for the excellence of their offerings were recognized in their respective categories at the gala attended by representatives of the ministère du Tourisme du Québec and of the City of Montréal, at the Parisian Laundry Gallery.

Unique in its kind, Igloofest is an electronic music festival that takes place outdoors at the Jacques-Cartier Quay of the Old Port of Montréal during the last three weekends of January. This innovative festival was developed as a result of a close cooperation between the Quays of the Old Port and Piknic Electronik. At the time of its 3rd edition in 2009, Igloofest attracted more than 28,000 spectators in three weekends, a record that was surpassed in 2010 with more than 42,000 festival goers in attendances.

Along with the other award recipients, Igloofest will proudly represent the Montréal tourist area at the finals of the Grands Prix du Tourisme Québécois next May 7.

"This award stands as recognition of the work performed by our teams and of the unflinching support of our partners. We are proud of our capacity to take advantage of the seasonal peculiarities of Québec in order to make Montréal a cultural metropolis and a choice tourist destination, despite or thanks to the originality of our climate" commented Pascal Lefebvre, president and general manager of the festival, when he was informed of the award.

Igloofest is a celebration of winter, a not-to-be-missed rendezvous, and a meeting place for Montrealers on the Quays of the Old Port in addition to being an international window on Montréal, with its cold weather, its snow, and, more to the point, its distinctive cultural innovation.

"Four years ago, we took the risk of making the Old Port a with-it, urban winter destination" says Mrs Claude Benoit, president and chief executive officer of the Old Port of Montréal Corporation who adds: "The success of Igloofest is closely linked with the outstanding collaboration and creativity of the Piknic Électronik team. I thank them for believing in this somewhat off-the-wall project from its very beginnings and for giving it the colour that sets it apart to this day."

About the Quays of the Old Port of Montréal

With more than 5 million visitors every year, the Quays of the Old Port play an important part in Montréal's economy and represent a powerful pole of attraction for recreational tourists. The Old Port of Montréal Corporation, manager of the Quays of the Old Port, is committed to positioning the Quays as a must Montréal destination on the basis of both the originality and richness of programs that are well anchored in the City's unique personality.

The Quays of the Old Port wish to thank their partners Sleeman, Pepsi and TELUS and to underline the contribution of Canadian Wildlife Federation, their Official Environmental Partner.

About Piknic Électronik

Igloofest is a production of the Piknic Électronik team, a cultural structure created in 2003, whose triple objective is to promote and democratise electronic music while highlighting the great natural spaces of the City. Thus, Piknic Électronik takes its genre out of the closet by associating with the best local and international artists in an original form of experimentation and insisting on offering original, innovative, and creative experimentation at each of its events. And, for its summer festival, Piknic Électronik will greet families every Sunday from May 23 to October 3 at the Jean-Drapeau Park.

For further information: Julie Mailhot, Press Agent, Old Port of Montréal Corporation, [phone], [email protected]; Nicolas Cournoyer, Press Agent, Piknic Électronik, [phone], [email protected]