Trade mission to Florida: Quebec companies benefit from the lucrative business climate in the hotel industry

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 26, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and its team of international trade experts, the World Trade Centre Montréal, have successfully concluded a fifth trade mission to Miami. Businesses took advantage of networking activities to form ties with leaders in the North American hotel and architecture industries. Participants took full advantage of targeted business meetings with key players such as Four Seasons, Lionstone Development and Sandals Resorts. This trade mission, which took place September 20 to 23, involved nine Quebec companies.

"The Board of Trade organized this fifth trade mission because of the importance of this market," said Michel Leblanc, president and CEO of the Board of Trade. "A centre of growth, Florida has a GDP of US$893 billion (2015), the fourth highest in the U.S. Tourism is its main industry, with over 100 million visitors in 2015, whose spending totalled over US$89 billion. This favourable situation allows hotel owners to invest and represents tremendous potential for Quebec companies."

"The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach area has the highest hotel density in the country, with an occupancy rate that is constantly rising," Michel Leblanc said. "The impressive growth in the tourism industry is accompanied by a spike in demand for luxury hotels. This trade mission gives our businesses exposure in the region and lets them position themselves on the market."

"We very much appreciated this opportunity and the support of the Board of Trade's team at the World Trade Centre Montréal," said Rafik Berzi, President of Mingus Software. "We were able to make quality contacts and even had an exclusive and productive meeting with Canada's Consul General in Miami. This initial visit allowed us to see the tremendous potential of this growing city, in addition to meeting potential business partners."

"This well-organized, targeted trade mission gave us tools and a chance to make contacts to successfully expand into new markets," said Renelle Brouillard, co-owner of BALUX.

The following companies participated in the trade mission:

• ActDesign
• BALUX
• Century Industries
• Cuisine Idéale
• Décors Véronneau
• Intello Technologies
• MAAX Bath
• Mingus Software
• Vortex Aquatic Structures International

About the trade mission to Florida
This activity was organized as part of the "Exporting Quebec – Small business conquering the world" initiative, in cooperation with La Presse+ and thanks to Air Canada, the official carrier. The World Trade Centre Montréal also receives support from Canada Economic Development.

About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal's business community and to promote the city's prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to business of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.

About the World Trade Centre Montréal
With the help of its World Trade Montréal experts, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal offers international trade services to the extended business community, with the support of Canada Economic Development.

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SOURCE Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal

Guillaume Bérubé, Advisor, Media Relations, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, Phone: [phone], extension 4042, [email protected]