Mission, values, and historyThe Palais: A vector of innovation, creativity and inspiration since 1983

Steeped in history and forever evolving, the Palais is a place of knowledge, sharing, and exchange where one can always expect quality service, memorable experiences, and an exceptional environment.

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Mission
Values
History

Our mission

The mission of the Palais des congrès de Montréal is to attract and host conventions, exhibitions, conferences, trade shows, and events of all kinds. As a public institution with a commercial purpose, the Palais generates significant economic and intellectual spinoffs for Québec and contributes to Montréal’s reputation as a leading international destination.

Our values

Whether it’s in our customer service or the services and solutions we provide, in our relationships with our customers, employees, suppliers, or partners, in listening to our clients and anticipating their needs, or because our concerted efforts guarantee success, at all levels of our team and in everything we do, excellence, trust, respect, teamwork, and integrity are always the Palais’ guiding principles.

Our code of ethics is based on our values and contains the rules of conduct aimed at achieving our objectives and the professional development of all employees at the Palais.

Excellence

in all our spheres of activity

Trust

in all our relationships

Respect

the needs and expectations of all our customers and visitors

Team spirit

between colleagues, with our customers, partners and suppliers

Integrity

in all our actions, at all levels

History and key events

An emblematic Montréal venue since 1983, the Palais has been the venue for events that have transformed people and inspired invaluable ideas. Host to the discussions of major issues, advances in science and technology, celebrations of excellence, and the sharing of knowledge, the Palais has been innovating since its creation and constantly reinvents itself.

1975

A study on Montréal’s tourism potential leads to the creation of the Palais des congrès project.
1977

Start of construction.
1983

Inauguration of the Palais
First international event: The 8th International Plastic Surgery Convention.
1984

First ever Journées dentaires internationales du Québec, and thereafter on the Palais calendar annually until 2023.
1985

Founding of the Ambassadors Club and opening of a first commercial office, in Paris.
1989

5th International AIDS Conference: Montréal is talked about the world over.
1991

Opening of a commercial office in Washington.
1993

Visit from the Dalaï-lama.
1994

World Congress of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics: Hosting 13,000 delegates, the Palais becomes a world reference in the life sciences.
1996

First ever Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, and thereafter on the Palais calendar annually until 2025.
1998

Emergency situation: the Palais opens its doors to the victims of the ice storm.
1999 – 2000

The government of Québec invests $290 million to finance the expansion of the Palais, allowing the convention centre to double its size.

World Conference on Aging: 1,500 delegates
American Helicopter Society: 3,000 delegates
12th World Conference of Anaesthetists: 6,000 delegates
17th International Electric Vehicle Symposium: 2,000 delegates
2002

Unveiling of the Palais’ new facade under the supervision of internationally renowned architect Mario Saia. Now one of Montreal’s most important architectural icons, the facade comprises 390 panels of transparent colored glass.

First hosting of the Montréal International Auto Show.

Installation of Nature légère, a work of art by landscape architect Claude Cormier. Visible from Rue Viger, the bright pink interior forest was inspired by the city’s century-old trees. An iconic piece of Montréal public art.

Installation of Translucide, signed Jean-François Cantin, Victor Pilon, and Michel Lemieux. Illustrating the Palais’ role as a meeting place, the blue glass rooftop integrated into Mario Saia’s facade is one of the largest contemporary figurative stained-glass windows in the Americas.
2003

Employees of the Palais learn the basics of sign language at the 14th World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf.
2004

Inauguration of Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle and its celebrated fountain sculpture, La Joute. The urban oasis that is part of the Palais is among the most appreciated in the Montréal’s international district.
2005

Flagship event in the history of the Palais: the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP11).
2008

The Palais team adapts to the needs of its visitors during the 9th International Conference on Visual Impairment.
2009

20th World Diabetes Congress, an event of paramount importance for the medical community.
2010

Earliest advance booking ever of an event at the Palais: a conference scheduled for 2031, i.e. 21 years ahead of time.
2011

Ground breaking on the development of the Palais’ green roofs.
2012

After several cutting-edge procurements, the Palais is now one of the international leaders in event technologies.

IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium: 9,000 delegates
International Polar Year Conference: 2,900 delegates
World Cancer Congress: 1,835 delegates
World Congress on Information Technology: 1,624 delegates
2014

Record year: the Palais hosts 48 major events.
2015

Record year: over $242 million in tourism revenue generated.
2016

Inauguration of the Palais’ Urban Agriculture Laboratory.
2017

Barack Obama delivers his first speech in Montréal in front of 8,000 visitors at the Palais
The Aga Khan draws an audience of 11,700 spectators.

Inauguration of Vignes urbaines, the first urban rooftop vineyard in Canada and the first in the world to be located in a northern environment.
2018

Close to 10,200 people seated in a single room for Michelle Obama’s address.
2019

The Palais becomes one of the world’s first carbon-neutral convention centres.

Launch of CITÉ, an events lab housing creative startups specializing in unforgettable experiences.
2020

The Palais adapts to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Launch of the Palais Média Propulsion studios.

Implementation of hybrid event solutions, stimulus packages, and the PROGRESS health and safety program.

Unveiling of new branding.

MTL Reunion event on rethinking the industry, the first international conference produced by the Palais.
2021

The Palais doubles as one of Montréal’s main vaccination clinics.

The Palais launches a training program on transforming events .