President and CEO of the Palais des congrès de Montréal, Emmanuelle Legault speaks to Conference & Meetings World (CMW) about how the Palais goes beyond traditional venue operations. Through initiatives like the Knowledge Collective, the venue pushes forward advanced industries like AI and medical tech, builds the city’s reputation as an innovation hub and creates a legacy for Montréal as the top North American destination for international association events.
Can you describe how the Palais des congrès de Montréal goes beyond economic impact to contribute to social and intellectual progress?
The Palais des congrès de Montréal contributes to the advancement of knowledge and generates a lasting legacy. Each year, we host international conventions and events in crucial fields such as aerospace, life sciences, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, bringing together experts and researchers from around the globe. These meetings promote the exchange of ideas, the sharing of scientific advances and international collaboration.
The conventions that we host connect Montréal researchers with their international peers, providing an opportunity for them to present their work and collaborate on transnational projects. By reinforcing local expertise and positioning Montréal as a global leader in strategic sectors, the Palais greatly contributes to Montréal’s attractiveness as a business destination.
These major events also help to raise public awareness of important issues, such as the ethics of AI and medical breakthroughs, and build a greater collective understanding. With an eye towards sustaining this contribution to Montréal and Québec, the Palais developed the Knowledge Collective in partnership with the business team at Tourisme Montréal. This initiative simplifies the bidding process for scientists and experts who wish to organise international events in Montréal by offering a single point of contact to access necessary resources and expertise.
Place Riopelle, MontréalHow does the Knowledge Collective initiative support Montréal-based researchers and professionals in attracting international conferences?
The Knowledge Collective offers Montréal researchers and professionals personalised support at every stage of the process, whether it’s developing and promoting the bid or organising the convention. Local experts benefit from the combined expertise and resources of the Palais and Tourisme Montréal to reinforce their proposals and optimise their chances of success.
We demystify the bidding process, often seen as complex or intimidating. Our goal is to transform this challenge into an enriching and accessible experience, enabling our researchers and experts to shine internationally while positioning Montréal as a go-to destination for major events.
What factors have contributed to Montréal being recognised as the top destination for international association events in North America for eight consecutive years?
I’d say Montréal’s success rests on three pillars. Firstly, the city benefits from a dynamic innovation ecosystem and efficient industrial clusters in strategic fields such as aeronautics, mobility, technology, artificial intelligence, environment and life sciences. By working in close collaboration with partners in these key sectors, the Palais des congrès develops innovative offers that enrich the participant experience while responding to organisers’ expectations.
Secondly, Montréal is an attractive and accessible destination, recognised the world over for its creativity, cultural wealth and art of living. And there’s the exceptional concentration of universities and research centres, as well as quality infrastructure including an international airport serving more than 150 direct flights a day – making the city an ideal setting for major global events.
Lastly, the Palais des congrès plays a key role with its outstanding client experience, recognised by event organisers for the quality of the welcome and the personalised support. Our commitment to sustainable development, reflected in our eco-responsible practices, also responds to the growing expectations of organisers and participants concerned about their environmental footprint.
Place Riopelle, MontréalCan you explain the significance of hosting over 300 events annually, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence and healthcare?
Hosting over 300 events annually, including in strategic fields such as artificial intelligence and healthcare, is of great importance for Montréal and Québec. These events position the city as a global leader in these key sectors, while promoting the exceptional expertise of local scientists and researchers.
For example, in the artificial intelligence field, the Palais hosts the annual ALL IN event, the largest gathering dedicated to AI in Canada. With over 4,000 participants from more than 40 countries, this event constitutes an essential hub for exploring advances in AI and its contribution to economic transformation. The Palais is also an early partner of E-AI, an event focused on fostering exploration and exchange around developments, challenges and opportunities in artificial intelligence.
In the healthcare field, events like the 24th International AIDS Conference in 2022, with 7,000 delegates, or the International Council of Nurses Congress, which brought together 4,900 participants in 2023, are occasions for experts to share their knowledge, encourage collaborations and advance ideas that will shape the future. These events are scientific, social and intellectual drivers – vital to economic progress.
In 2023–2024, the 290 events hosted by the Palais des congrès generated more than $311m in economic spinoffs. This stimulates the local economy and galvanises sectors like the hotel, restaurant and transportation industries, in addition to strengthening Montréal’s image as a top-tier business destination. Through their scope and impact, these international gatherings also contribute to promoting Québec’s expertise on the international scene and consolidating our reputation as a centre of innovation and collaboration.
