Montreal
Palais des congrès de Montréal: Canada’ s gateway to global business events
AN ICONIC CONVENTION CENTRE IN QUEBEC IS GENERATING OVER CAD $ 50M IN ECONOMIC BENEFIT FROM JUST SEVEN CONFERENCES THIS SUMMER, AN INDICATION OF ITS STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE
T he Palais des congrès
de Montréal stands as a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration in the heart of downtown Montréal. As one of Canada’ s most iconic convention centres, it plays a vital role in shaping the country’ s business tourism landscape, attracting thousands of delegates annually and generating significant economic and intellectual capital.
This summer marks a historic high for the Palais, with over 17,000 international business tourists attending 10 major conferences. Among these are the 34th International Joint Conferences on Artificial Intelligence and the STI & HIV 2025 World Congress – events that not only bring global experts to Montréal but also reinforce the city’ s reputation as a hub for cutting-edge research and policy dialogue.
In 2024, the Palais hosted 306 business events, drawing 874,000 delegates and generating an impressive CAD $ 238m in economic spinoffs. These figures highlight the venue’ s strategic importance, not just for Montréal, but for Canada’ s broader ambitions in global business and innovation.
The Palais is also a key player in attracting US-based conferences, with seven major events scheduled this summer alone – up from just one the
previous year. These events are expected to generate CAD $ 50.7m in economic benefits and 30,000 overnight hotel stays, underscoring the venue’ s appeal to international organisers. The venue also boasts a central location, modern infrastructure, and high satisfaction ratings, while its partnerships with local academic and scientific communities ensure that each event
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Montreal © Mathieu Dupuis- Tourisme Montréal
Below: Palais des congres de Montreal contributes meaningfully to Québec’ s intellectual ecosystem in a fully bilingual environment and with a favourable exchange rate.
Sustainability at the core of innovation Beyond its economic and strategic value, the Palais des congrès de Montréal is a leader in sustainable event management. Its expanded green roof – one of the largest in Canada – now features enhanced urban agriculture and biodiversity research facilities, developed in collaboration with AU / LAB and other local partners. This living lab not only reduces urban heat islands but also serves as a model for integrating sustainability into large-scale venues. The Palais has also introduced a“ planetary health menu” in partnership with Maestro Culinaire and Équiterre, offering event organisers locally sourced, low-impact cuisine that aligns with sustainability goals.
Further reinforcing its green credentials, the Palais helps organisers offset greenhouse gas emissions associated with their events and offers them tailored support to take sustainable action at every stage of their project.
As Emmanuelle Legault, president and CEO of the Palais, notes:“ Contributing to the promotion of local scientific knowhow and Québec’ s societal progress is an essential aspect of the Palais des congrès de Montréal’ s mission.” This vision captures the essence of the Palais: a dynamic, futureforward venue that not only hosts events but catalyses progress, offering purpose, impact, and a platform for global change. n Montreal © Propulsion Québec
ISSUE 138 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 59