The Palais des congrès de Montréal offers new experiential spaces

A life-size whale in a convention centre? Seriously, what’s the big splash about? Get the scoop on the ambitious project that brought five informal visitor lounges to life, perfect for networking and unwinding. At the Palais des congrès de Montréal, we’ve been hosting international meetings for more than 40 years, and, dare we say it, we’ve mastered the art! But we’re also keenly aware of the changes our industry is undergoing and how we need to innovate to meet the expectations of present and future convention-goers. It all started in 2019 by offering international visitors a taste of cottage life in Québec. Adjacent to busy meeting rooms, we transformed the corporate setting and furniture into a natural cottage environment, complete with Adirondack chairs, swings, a hammock, and a quaint birch forest. The cottage concept was such a hit that we decided to broaden the experience, inviting partners to join us in this exhilarating project. Enter the singing whale, the roaming bicycles, the cozy ski gondolas, and the inviting teepee… It’s all about transforming meetings through unforgettable experiences. And along the way, we’re building innovative partnerships to help us shape the future of events. Breaking the mold, one partnership at a time After the cottage experience, we teamed up with major tourism organizations to craft a one-of-a-kind experience, immersing business travellers in Québec’s vibrant tourism and leisure scenes right within our walls. With the collaboration of our partners the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec (AITQ) and Indigenous Tourism Québec, we transformed the convention centre into a powerful marketing billboard showcasing our destination’s tourism offerings. Three immersive lounges were designed with the AITQ to promote Québec’s main tourism experiences: LA STATION (The Ski Resort) Imagine yourself after an exhilarating day on the slopes, soaking in the relaxing après-ski atmosphere, mingling among friends. Unveiled in 2023, this space also offers the privacy of ski gondolas for those who need to work in silence or…meditate! LE SAINT-LAURENT (The St. Lawrence River) The soothing song of the 10-metre whale suspended from the ceiling welcomes you to this unique maritime enclave ensconced in the heart of the building. It is an extraordinary installation and a novel sensory immersive experience. Unveiled in 2023, this space immerses the visitor in the marine life of the emblematic St. Lawrence River. LE PANORAMA (The Panorama) Nature tourism and sustainability go hand in hand in this space, showcasing the great outdoors, quirky lodgings, amazing cycling routes, and jaw-dropping via ferratas that Québec proudly offers. Unveiled in 2024, the space also features awareness-raising signs on ecoresponsible practices and biodiversity protection. Providing a window into the living heritage of First Nations and Inuit people, our fifth lounge was developed in collaboration with Indigenous Tourism Québec. Inspired by their powerful theme, ‘All memorable stories start with an encounter’, this unique space captures the Palais’ desire to transform the convention-goer’s visit into a moment of sharing. QUÉBEC AUTOCHTONE (Indigenous Québec) This intimate, welcoming space, designed in the form of a circle, reproduces the inside of a teepee. It evokes the cycle of life, with the circle being an important symbol for Indigenous peoples. Unveiled in 2024, this space offers a dynamic interface, guiding visitors to around 200 experiences related to art and culture, hunting and fishing, gastronomy, festivities, accommodation, and nature and adventure, offered by the 11 Indigenous Nations of Québec Understanding The Next Gen of convention-goers By offering surprising and unusual settings, we anticipate the needs and expectations of future generations of attendees. These new spaces not only showcase the rich diversity of Québec’s tourism but also provide opportunities for attendees to gather informally, share, talk, and network on the sidelines. We’ve even seen some of them kick off their shoes, taking a break from their workday to enjoy a well-deserved moment of relaxation —a rare sight in convention centres! And what’s a party without food and music, right? The Palais’ caterer, Maestro Culinaire, stepped up to the plate, crafting thematic menus that spotlight local ingredients for clients who wish to offer a special moment to their attendees during a cocktail reception. Meanwhile, our official audiovisual partner, TKNL, hit all the right notes in Le Saint-Laurent by creating an enchanting soundscape that beautifully captures the haunting song of the whale while projecting moving aquatic scenes on the wall. Pushing the limits At the Palais des congrès de Montréal, we pride ourselves on being trailblazers, always on the lookout for new trends and innovative ways to do our job, such as surprising visitors with amazing experiences. We’re pretty good listeners, too—at least, that’s what our clients think, as we consistently achieve a customer satisfaction rate of over 90%. So, when we put our heads together to transform the future of events, we started by asking questions, listening to the answers, and conducting extensive research on what the future holds. Then, we got creative. Find out how we can help you put together a memorable event. Contact us today! By email at sales@congresmtl.com or by phone at +1 514 871-8122 or 1 800 268-8122 (toll free in Canada) Follow us at congresmtl.com | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube | Flickr Virtual visit Subscribe to our newsletter