Tourisme Montréal partners with the International Startup Festival - New tech investors, creators and entrepreneurs come together in Montréal

MONTREAL, July 10, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Montréal, well-known as a creative city with a fun-loving vibe, is set to host the second annual International Startup Festival from July 11 to 13, 2012. The event, which focuses on entrepreneurship in the new technology sector, will attract creators, startup companies, investors and clients from all over the world who are active in this emerging economy. Centred on the theme "Startups that Matter," the 2012 edition promises to be as much a catalyst for new ideas as a benchmark for professional networking.

Focussing on hot sectors like mobility, gaming and social networking, the festival also tackles issues such as cleantech, education and healthcare. For three days, today's visionary investors and tomorrow's entrepreneurs can attend conferences and workshops, hear inspiring elevator pitches and listen to hard-hitting debates as well as take part in a number of entertaining linkage activities. Participants will also have a unique opportunity to meet international players on the tech startup scene.

"Montréal provides a fertile ground for creativity and new technology so it constitutes an ideal meeting place for investors and creators. Indeed, the fact that the Festival is once again being held in Montréal is proof of our city's vitality in that area," pointed out the Honourable Charles Lapointe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tourisme Montréal.

Tourisme Montréal has partnered with the festival since its inception. It feels that the event reinforces Montreal's already strong position in this emerging sector and generates significant economic benefits. Over 1,100 people from 10 different countries attended the 2011 International Startup Festival and organizers predict that tourism spinoff from the 2012 event is likely to exceed last year's.

"This year, we are expecting visitors to pour into Montreal: chartered buses from New York and Québec City, trains from Waterloo and Toronto and flights from just about everywhere in the world. The impact of the festival's success will be felt far beyond the city itself," enthused Philippe Telio, founder of the International Startup Festival.

The event will be held at the Iberville Maritime Terminal, Alexandra Pier, in Montreal's historic Old Port. For more information, go to startupfestival.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.

Source:     
Tourisme Montréal 

Information:
Alexandra Graveline
Manager - Corporate Public Relations
Tourisme Montréal
514 844-3558
graveline.alexandra@tourisme-Montréal.org