The Palais des congrès de Montréal Pays Worthy Tribute to Seven Ambassadors
Accredited with over $22 Million in Economic Spinoffs

MONTREAL, Oct. 25 2010 /CNW Telbec/ - On October 21st, an estimated audience of 650 guests were at the 2010 Recognition Award Gala at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. What is always an exceptional event took on an even more special dimension with the closure of the first-ever Rendez-vous du Savoir, a collaboration of the Palais des congrès de Montréal, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montréal, the Conference of Rectors and Principals of Québec Universities (CRÉPUQ), the Conférence régionale des élus de Montréal (CRÉ), Montréal International and Ville de Montréal. 

The evening's biggest moment: Paul Gérin-Lajoie, the pioneer of education in Québec, paid a moving tribute to the representatives of the province's 18 institutions of higher learning, gathered together in one place for the first time.

This prestigious event saw honours given to five new researchers, and this year, the Gala celebrated the 25^th anniversary of the Palais des congrès de Montréal's Ambassadors Club, with special homage to those who have worked diligently to bring international conventions to Montréal and the Palais.

In a message for the occasion, Tourism Minister Nicole Ménard said, "For 25 years, you have been actively involved in shaping Montréal's international reputation as a world-class business tourism destination. The spinoffs generated by the conventions hosted here impact the development of our tourism industry immensely. I am therefore very proud to recognize your work in promoting our city beyond our borders."

"From the day it opened its doors, the Palais has benefited from the extraordinary dedication of people committed to the intellectual, social and economic development of Québec," stated Marc Tremblay, President and CEO of the Palais des congrès. "Montréal ranks first amongst North American cities for hosting international events, and it is primarily because of the strong efforts of our longstanding partners like Tourisme Montréal and the Palais' Ambassadors, who are true builders in the development of Montréal and Québec."

Hosted by Pénélope McQuade, the evening saw seven new members join the Ambassadors Club. By 2013, the events which these seven helped confirm will bring close to 11,000 visitors to Montréal and generate over $22 million in economic spinoffs. Music was provided by Boom Jacak and Datak in a performance that showcased the diversity the Palais des congrès can deliver. The "gastromic symphony" was orchestrated by Capital Traiteur, the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, the Westin Montréal, the Sheraton Centre Montréal, the Casino de Montréal, the InterContinental Montréal, the Hilton Montréal Bonaventure, the Marriott Château Champlain, the Delta Centre-Ville and the Hyatt Regency.

Behind the colours, people with a passion!

The Recognition Award Gala salutes the exceptional contributions of influential and dynamic individuals from all walks of life who step outside of their usual professions to bring international conventions to Montréal. In doing so, they generate economic and intellectual wealth for the city and province. The 2010 Recognition Award Gala was made possible by the support of partners including the Ministry of Tourism, Mouvement Desjardins, Tourisme Montréal, AVW-Telav and Kloda Focus, and Scandinave Les Bains.

The Newly Appointed Ambassadors for 2010

Alexandre Sigouin-Duquette
59th General Assembly of the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA)
July 30 - August 6, 2010

Claude Hillaire-Marcel
22nd Goldschmidt Conference
June 24-29, 2012

Ferri Hassani
30th ISARC 2013 International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction
June 18-23, 2013

Jayne Engle-Warnick and Luc Rabouin
Ecocity World Summit 2011
August 22-26, 2011

John Eggena
American Cheese Society 2011 National Conference & Competition
August 3-6, 2011

Michel Béland
International Polar Year Conference 2012
April 20-27, 2012

Add to these conventions seven Canadian and 23 international conferences (12 from the USA). That makes 36 new conventions signed up in 2010, which will generate close to $155 million in economic benefits.

About the Palais des congrès de Montréal

The Palais des congrès de Montréal's mission is to solicit and host conventions, exhibitions, conferences, meetings and other events. A public institution with a commercial vocation, the Palais des congrès generates significant economic benefits for Québec and has, for more than 25 years, proudly contributed to the sharing of knowledge while ensuring Montréal's place on the world map as a first-class destination. For more information about the Palais des congrès de Montréal, consult our Web Site: congresmtl.com.

About the Rendez-vous du Savoir

The first-ever Rendez-vous du Savoir was held October 20-21, 2010 at Palais des congrès de Montréal. This event, a cooperative effort of six partners from business, university and institutional backgrounds, highlighted the wealth created by institutions of higher learning. It also served to build bridges between universities and the business community, and to showcase the important role that Québec universities play in growing creativity, productivity and innovation for the benefit of us all. The Rendez-vous du Savoir organizers are grateful for the participation of the event's esteemed spokespersons, Monique F. Leroux, President and CEO of Mouvement des caisses Desjardins, and Dr. Pavel Hamet, O.Q., MD, Ph.D., senior professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Université de Montréal and the holder of the Canada Research Chair in Predictive Genomics. Mouvement Desjardins was the event's presenting sponsor. For more information, please go to www.rendezvousdusavoir.com

For further information:

Source:
Chrystine Loriaux, Adm.A., B.A.A.
Director, Marketing and Communications
Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal
Phone: [phone]

For information:
Marion Desjobert
Advisor, Communications and Public Affairs
Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal
Email: [email protected]
Phone: [phone]