Outperforming New York, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro and other major North and South American Cities, Montréal topped the International Meetings Statistics for 2013 according to a report released by the Union of International Associations (UIA).
This report comes one month after the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) declared Montréal the leading host city in North America for international conventions.
“That’s something to be proud of,” said Raymond Larivée, president and CEO, Palais des congrès. “But we did not come by this recognition by accident. We’ve been ranked No. 1 three years running.
“It is a deservedly earned crowning achievement that speaks to the collaborative efforts of the Palais des congrès de Montréal, its Ambassadors and Tourisme Montréal.”
The city’s primary venue for major meetings since it opened in 1983, the Palais des congress, hosted 25 international conventions in 2013-14 with more than 37,000 participants, who helped generate more than $82 million in economic benefits for Montréal and the Québec province.
Overall, 82 international events took place at the Palais or the city’s hotels in 2013-14.
“The close working relationship between the teams of the Palais des congrès and Tourisme Montréal is undoubtedly one of the factors driving Montréal’s success in the international meeting market,” said Yves Lalumière, president and CEO, Tourisme Montréal. “We are very pleased with this top ranking, which obviously points to the outstanding job we’re doing meeting the needs of international associations in terms of infrastructure, welcome and attractions.”
