Quarterly Report - October 1 to December 31, 2012 - Exceptional growth in the third quarter: A busy schedule planned for the Palais des congrès de Montréal

MONTREAL, Feb. 19, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - For the quarter ending December 31, 2012, the Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal has confirmed it has secured a total of 86 events, including nine international¹ conventions and five national² conventions. These 14 congresses alone will attract nearly 32,000 participants who will generate an estimated $ 64 million for the city's economy, thus an increase of 75 % over the same period last year. What this represents in terms of convention event space rented in the coming years is a total of over 11 million square feet, up 121 % compared to 2011-12. Secured primarily with the cooperation of the Société's long-standing partner Tourisme Montréal, the events will result in nearly 60,000 room nights being booked in hotels across the city.

In terms of major trade shows, six events have been newly confirmed, which will be attended by nearly 10,000 participants and generate economic spinoffs estimated at almost $ 12 million for Montréal and the province.

Overall, the events confirmed in the third quarter will generate nearly $ 76 million, an increase of 133 % when compared to the same period last year, and occupy over 17 million sq. ft. of rented space, also significantly up, by 54 %.

"We are very pleased with our strong performance in terms of the future events we recently confirmed, especially with the global economy struggling to recover and the competition always so fierce. The results indicate that our promotional and development efforts over the last two years are going extremely well! When you include the new event technology and the reputation for excellence we have forged over time, it adds up to a winning recipe," explains Marc Tremblay, President and CEO of the Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal. "America's top host city for international events³, and shortlisted for the APEX award for World's Best Convention Centre⁴, Montréal and the Palais are very favourably regarded worldwide, as they continue to actively contribute to the city's development and deliver an experience you cannot find elsewhere," adds Tremblay.

The large-scale events the Palais hosted during the third quarter included 13 conventions and 17 consumers and trade shows, which were attended by over 116,000 participants and generated over $ 39 million for Montréal. The conventions included the World Conference on Information Technology (WCIT), which was among the first events to experience our new hi-tech environment that is further positioning the Palais among the leading e-friendly convention centers in North America.

The quarter was marked by the launch of our new network, a key phase of our ambitious IT modernization project. The new network is capable of handling up to 20,000 simultaneous wireless connections and delivers a bandwidth of 1 gigabyte. In addition, a new venue-wide dynamic signage system allows participants to find their way around the Palais in state-of-the-art fashion.

Year-to-date events confirmed for future years (April 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012)
International and national conventions: 34
Estimated room nights: 107 598
Estimated economic spinoffs: $ 120 292 251

Projected results for the year from conventions hosted (April 1, 2012 - March 31, 2013)
International and national conventions: 32
Estimated room nights: 90 510
Estimated economic spinoffs: $ 119 409 075

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 spinoffs for Québec and has contributed proudly for nearly 30 years to sharing knowledge and enhancing Montréal's international reputation as a first-rate destination. For more information on the Palais des congrès de Montréal, visit www.congresmtl.com.

About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position the "Montréal" destination on leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal's tourism product in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the market. For more information, please visit www.tourisme-montreal.org. 
 

Including U.S. conventions. Including Québec conventions. As ranked by the Union of International Associations in 2011. According to the International Association of Congress Centres in 2012.

 

 

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, Public Relations
Tourisme Montréal
[email protected]
Phone: [phone]