Quarterly Report - April 1 to June 30, 2014 - Palais des congrès confirms 14 major events that will generate $43,000,000 in economic benefits

MONTRÉAL, July 17, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - For the quarter ending June 30, 2014, the Palais des congrès de Montréal has confirmed it has secured four international¹ conventions, two national² conventions and 8 trade shows. These 6 new major conventions will attract over 11,000 business tourists to Montréal, contributing an estimated nearly $25 million to the economy. The events will result in almost 25,000 room nights being booked in hotels across the city.

In terms of trade shows, 8 events have been newly confirmed, up from the same quarter last year. Attendance in this market segment is expected to increase 48%, which means we will be hosting a total of over 20,000 trade show participants.

Overall, 82 future events were confirmed during the course of the opening quarter of 2014-2015. "The strong trade show figures we posted for the quarter demonstrate how successful our strategy has been in this market segment and speak to the excellent work we've done drawing large-scale events to the city," indicated Raymond Larivée, President and CEO of the Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal. "The tophost city in America according to the Union of International Associations³ and among the finalists for the World's Best Congress Centre award⁴, Montréal and the Palais continue to be at the forefront internationally, while contributing to the economic and intellectual wealth of Québec."

Among the major events hosted during the quarter were 16 conventions and 7 trade shows, which accounted for a total of nearly $93 million for the city's economy.

Year-to-date events confirmed for the coming years (April 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014)
International and national conventions: 6
Trade shows: 8
Estimated room nights: 25 582
Estimated total economic benefits: $43 151 480

Projected annual results from conventions and trade shows hosted (April 1, 2014 – March 31, 2015)
International and national conventions: 48
Trade shows: 26
Estimated room nights: 186 541
Estimated total economic benefits: $258 157 526

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. To learn more about the Palais des congrès de Montréal, visit us online 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. For more information, visit  tourisme-montreal.org.

¹ Including U.S. conventions
² Including Québec conventions
³ UIA
⁴ Awarded by the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC)

SOURCE: Palais des congrès de Montréal

Source: Chrystine Loriaux, Adm.A., B.A.A., Director, Marketing and Communications, Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal, Phone: [phone]; For information: Jimmy Laforge, Advisor, Communications and Public Affairs, Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal, [email protected], Phone: [phone]; Alexandra Graveline, Manager, Corporate Public Relations, Tourisme Montréal, [email protected], Phone: [phone]