For the quarter ending December 31, 2013, the Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal has confirmed it has secured a total of 93 events, including eight international conventions and five national conventions. These 13 major events will generate an estimated $65 million and attract more than 57,000 convention-goers to the city, representing an increase of nearly 85 per cent over the same period last year. Secured primarily with the cooperation of Tourisme Montréal, the events will result in nearly 81,000 room nights being booked in hotels across the city.
In terms of trade shows, seven events have been newly confirmed, up significantly by 40 per cent compared to the same quarter last year. It is estimated these new events will generate almost $7.5 million for Montréal and Québec.
Overall, the conventions and trade shows confirmed in the third quarter will generate an estimated 81,000+ room nights for Montréal hotels, an increase of nearly 35 per cent, and almost $73 million in economic spinoffs, which is comparable to the total for the third quarter of 2012-13.
“Our teams succeeded in establishing close ties with our clients. By working alongside the Palais’ Ambassadors and tailoring our development and relationship marketing strategies to our target markets, we have been able to confirm nearly $214 million for the economy since the start of our current financial year,” explains André Saucier, acting President and Chief Executive Officer of the Palais de Montréal. “Business performance is at the core of our actions and we will continue to set ourselves apart so that Montréal can remain the top host city in the Americas for international conventions.”
Events hosted
Among the large-scale events hosted during the quarter were 13 conventions and 10 trade shows, which generated over $65M for Montréal, drew nearly 53,000 business tourists and resulted in almost 44,000 room nights being booked in the city’s hotels. These events included the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress and its 6,000 delegates, the 3rd World Parkinson Congress – WPC 2013, which generated over $6.7 million in economic benefits, and the Aerospace Innovation Forum, secured thanks to the efforts of Dr. Hany Moustapha, Director of AÉROÉTS and an Emeritus Ambassador of the Palais.
Year-to-date events confirmed for the coming years (April 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013)
- International and national conventions: 42
- Estimated room nights: 215,446
- Estimated economic spinoffs: $185,754,642
Projected results from conventions hosted (April 1, 2013 – March 31, 2014)
- International and national conventions: 42
- Estimated room nights: 167,576
- Estimated economic spinoffs: $162,184,353
