Thumbs up for a good cause: Palais des congrès de Montréal and Tourisme
Montréal join hands to aid community groups

MONTREAL, June 17 /CNW Telbec/ - Over 80 employees from the Palais des congrès de Montréal and Tourisme Montréal took part in the third Journée Coup de Pouce, a day dedicated to lending a hand to Montréal organizations. This was an opportunity for participants to share in the experience of doing community work together and also raise their awareness of issues related to the environment, women in difficulty, family and childhood.

Throughout the day, the employees of both organizations were split into teams and worked with five Montréal community groups. Whether for the Montréal Children's Hospital, Resto Plateau, Welcome Hall Mission, Les Amis de la Montagne and the Chez Doris women's shelter, each employee contributed either by painting, sorting clothes, toys or food, or weeding out invasive plants.

"This day is an opportunity for our employees to experience firsthand the importance of sustainability in all its forms - environmental, social and economic," declared Marc Tremblay, the Palais' President and CEO. "We are very pleased to have shared this activity with our partner Tourisme Montréal. This day, which ultimately helps strengthen the working relationship between our organizations, is a fine opportunity to give back to the community."

The Honourable Charles Lapointe, Tourisme Montréal's President and CEO, was equally thrilled about the day's successful outcome. "The 2010 edition of Journée Coup de Pouce was once again an opportunity to combine our efforts with those of the Palais in organizing a day that reflects our values and those of our employees. We enthusiastically added this day to our Tourisme Montréal activity calendar, as we can all appreciate the impact that mutual aid can have on the community."

The Palais des congrès de Montréal introduced Journée Coup de Pouce in 2008, as part of its 25th anniversary activities.

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 more than 25 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 its website at congresmtl.com.

About Tourisme Montréal

Tourisme Montréal is responsible for promoting Montréal's hospitality industry by positioning the city as a premier business and leisure travel destination. The organization also helps shape the development of Montréal tourism in lockstep with new market trends and conditions as they arise. For more information on Tourisme Montréal, visit its website at www.tourisme-montreal.org.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

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For further information: Marion Desjobert, Advisor, Communications and Public Affairs, Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal, Phone: [phone], [email protected]; Pierre Bellerose, Vice-President, Public Relations, Product Research & Development, Tourisme Montréal, Phone: [phone], [email protected]; Source: Chrystine Loriaux, Adm.A., B.A.A., Director, Marketing and Communications, Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal, Phone: [phone]