This content was created collaboratively by Business Events Montréal and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX.
Great ideas don’t come out of nowhere. They are the result of creating an atmosphere conducive to innovative thinking. Finding a setting that provokes high energy and big dreams is crucial to meeting planners, particularly those in the technology, medical, and scientific fields.
With a vibrant culture, evidenced by its bright colors, creative cuisine, and inspiring venues, Montréal is positioned to elicit innovation from your meeting attendees. It’s not an accident that some of the world’s brightest minds study, live, and work here. From circus magicians to technology experts shaping our world’s future, Montréal is where new ideas are born.
Indeed, a meeting isn’t just a meeting here. It’s an experience that lays the building blocks for successful business strategies and long-term planning for companies across industries. The blending of innovative thought and a rich culture adds a humanity that permeates the creative process, resulting in discoveries the world can admire.
Read on to learn more about how Montréal’s unique culture sparks innovation during meetings and events.
Think Differently
A circus without animals used to be unheard of. Now, Cirque du Soleil is the gold standard of entertainment. Cirque du Soleil not only originated in Montréal but remains an important part of the city’s fabric. It is just one example of unconventional thinking bringing about change.
Similarly, meetings are more than handshakes and plenaries in Montréal. One of the industry’s most inspiring events, C2, has been transforming meetings into groundbreaking gatherings long before creating unique experiences became hip.
Anick Beaulieu, CEO of C2, said the event that combines creativity and commerce — hence the name, C2 — couldn’t happen in another destination besides Montreal.
“We have three pillars: sustainability, experiential and transformative technologies,” Beaulieu said of C2. “And when you look at the DNA of the city and our strengths economically, those three pillars are fundamental to our economy and how it’s transforming.”
It’s no coincidence that thriving economic sectors such as life sciences, AI, and clean tech are building headquarters here and creating solutions that benefit the planet.
Planners can tap into this incubator of great ideas by seeking out local thought leaders who can inspire your attendees. Likewise, partner with Montréal’s elite universities, including the world-renowned McGill University, to develop better learning and ideating strategies.
Perspectives from experts in their fields will provoke new ways to solve challenges, placing your organization in a position to thrive for years.
“Montréal is a mosaic. It takes difference, puts it together, and lets the whole light shine through,” said Norma Taylor, Business Events Montréal’s regional director for the U.S.
Be Inspired by Venues
Montréal is a hotbed for creativity largely because its venues are designed to inspire guests.
The convention center — the colorful kaleidoscope known as the Palais des Congrès de Montréal — is high-tech, green, and in the heart of downtown. It was one of the first convention centers in the Americas to be a carbon-neutral building, and it has 113 meeting rooms with a total surface area for exhibition of 508,756 square feet.
It is not just a place visitors utilize — local artists and thought leaders enrich the venue. An innovation lab inside the center is designed specifically to generate new ideas and explore new technologies.
The domed Society for Arts and Technology (SAT), Centre PHI, and New City Gas are other inspiring homes for immersive meetings, receptions, and special events.
Beaulieu said she regards herself as a host, noting that C2 is a selling point for planners considering future meeting destinations. “There are endless ways that our city inspires us,” she said. ”The rich ecosystem of innovative creators and artists is always there to infuse events with their talent.”
“I think the best testament is that a lot of participants come back,” she added.
Embrace Convenience and Culture
Getting to Montréal is easy — there are direct flights to more than 160 worldwide destinations — and getting around town is simple. This takes much of the stress out of travel and allows creative brainwaves to thrive.
The Metro is top-the-line public transportation. There are miles of bike paths and a public bike rental system — BIXI — the global organization born in Montréal in 2009 that now provides 9,600 cycles within the destination.
Eco-friendly transport adds to the scientific and sustainable themes espoused by many meetings here.
Find a range of hotels with convenient locations. Of the 24,600 hotel rooms, 16,000 are located downtown, and 4,000 are linked directly to the convention center via Montréal’s famous Underground City, a 20.5-mile pedestrian network with retail and dining options.
Fuel up at one of the many culinary delights. From five-star restaurants to food trucks, there is an option to match your budget. Make sure your attendees get a true taste of the city by sampling iconic foods like poutine, bagels, and smoked meat, as well as experiencing culinary creations from Montréal’s creative chefs.
The proof is in Montréal’s accolades. It was recently voted the easiest place to do business in North America by Evidénz Research Group and ranked No. 1 in North America for international association meetings by both the ICCA and the UIA. Montréal is built to inspire, whether walking the streets, doing business in unique venues, or grabbing a bite to eat. It is a feeding ground for innovators.
“Montréal demonstrates its innovation from the ground up,” said Brown. “Give us your basics, and we will make something extraordinary for you. We motivate people to think differently.”
Contact the Business Events Montréal team to learn more about the destination.
This content was created collaboratively by Business Events Montréal and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX.
