The Palais des congrès de Montréal to generate over $333M for the city's economy as a result of the 76 conventions and trade shows confirmed in the financial year just ended

Quarterly Report - January 1 to March 31, 2012
Annual Review 2011-2012

MONTREAL, May 22, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - In the fourth quarter of its financial year, the Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal confirmed 7 new international¹ conventions and 7 national² conventions, representing an increase of 56% in convention bookings compared to the 4^th quarter of 2010-2011. These major events, secured in collaboration with Tourisme Montréal, will generate over $100M in economic spinoffs. The resulting total event space rented is also up compared to the same period last year, by 136%.

"These favourable results highlight the success of our 2010-2013 strategic plan, which is focused on business performance and revitalizing the customer experience," underscores Marc Tremblay, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal. "The Palais team and partners continue to work toward providing all participants who will be visiting us in the coming years with an unparalleled welcome and a fresh experience as our technological modernization project moves forward."

Annual review 2011-2012 for future events: A full schedule
Overall in 2011-2012, we confirmed 404 events for the coming years, up 6% over the previous year and nearly 27% over 2009-2010, i.e. the year we adopted our current strategic plan. The convention market performed particularly well with the confirmation of 48 conventions, or 7% more than last year and 30% more than in 2009-2010. Total event space rented for conventions rose by 33% compared to the previous year, to 42 sq. m., primarily as a result of the performance of national conventions, whose number increased by 40% over last year. Bookings for consumer and trade shows rose 6%, and they include 28 trade shows, reflecting Québec's thriving industrial and business climate.

A total of nearly 425,000 tourists are expected to descend on Montréal for the events confirmed in the year ended this past March 31, up 15% compared to 2010-11.

Annual review 2011-2012 for hosted events: A remarkable year
The Palais des congrès de Montréal ended the 2011-2012 period having attracted a record number of participants. The year's 368 events drew over 657,000 people, representing an increase of 4% compared to 2010-2011. The events generated nearly 147,000 room nights for the city's hotels. These figures confirm Montréal's standing as the world's 7^th leading venue for number of international delegates hosted, according to the International Congress and Convention Association's 2010 rankings.

Over and above the intellectual spinoffs they generated in terms of higher learning and through the involvement of universities, colleges, research centres and segments of excellence, the year's 34 conventions and 20 trade shows also accounted for over $200M in economic spinoffs. Together, these events occupied more than 53 sq. ft., an increase of 4 %.

Adds Québec Tourism Minister Nicole Ménard: "The Palais' activities undeniably contribute to promoting Montréal and Québec internationally. The hundreds of thousands of business tourists each year further entrench the city's reputation as an exceptional host city in North America for international events."

A popular venue for major, large-scale events

Many of the noteworthy conventions held in 2011 were confirmed with the collaboration of members of the Palais des congrès de Montréal Ambassadors Club:

• 2011 American Cheese Society Annual Conference & Competition
  Appointed Ambassador: John Eggena
  725 participants and $1.5M in economic spinoffs
  
• 2011 Ecocity World Summit
  Appointed Ambassadors: Luc Rabouin and Jayne Engle-Warnick
  1 900 participants and $4.6M in economic spinoffs
  
• 10^th Civicus World Assembly
  Executive Ambassador: Michel Venne
  800 participants and $1.2M in economic spinoffs
  
• 12th International Congress of Human Genetics & 61st ASHG Annual Meeting
  Emeritus Ambassador: Emil Skamene
  7 500 participants and $7.4M in economic spinoffs

Year-to-date events confirmed for future years (April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012)
International and national conventions: 48
Estimated room nights: 167 388
Estimated economic spinoffs: $285 316 814 

Results from conventions hosted (April 1, 2011 - March 31, 2012)
International and national conventions: 34
Estimated room nights: 122 326
Estimated economic spinoffs: $149 267 413

Given the lower business tourism traffic expected in 2012-2013, a year in which the impact of the global economic downturn of 2008 will be directly felt, the Palais will continue to pursue its development efforts in numerous markets in order to remain an industry leader.

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 over 28 years to sharing knowledge and enhancing Montréal's international reputation as a first-rate destination. For more information: 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 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.

1. Including U.S. conventions 2. Including Québec conventions

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

For information:
Amélie Asselin
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]