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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Our mission 

To contribute to Québec’s economic growth and social progress by promoting the exchange of knowledge and know-how, with a sustainable development perspective.

Our vision 

To make a significant impact on business tourism and communities by adopting bold, creative and innovative ways to transform events.

Our values 

Organisational values are the basic principles that influence our decision-making, guide interactions between co-workers and build our sense of well-being at work. They play a decisive role in achieving our objectives and our mission, and give meaning to our actions.

To reflect the personality of our teams, employees from every department have put their heads together to determine which values best represent the Palais’ philosophy. By upholding these values through our everyday actions, we continue to offer exceptional experiences to everyone who walks through our doors, whether it’s our colleagues, our partners, our clients or our visitors.

Creativity

Fostering creativity on a daily basis in order to offer a memorable experience to clients, find agile solutions within the team, and seize opportunities to improve and innovate.

Respect

Treating clients, partners, and colleagues with respect, in a friendly atmosphere where everyone is dedicated to protecting the planet.

Open-mindedness

Promoting listening and interaction in order to be receptive to ideas, diversity, and new technologies and keep pace with change in an inclusive way.

Know-how

Emphasizing professionalism, collaboration, and the variety of specialized skills that make up the organization and effectively contribute to its success and the success of its clients.


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 Montréal

    1975

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

  • Palais des congrès Montréal

    1977

    Start of construction.

  • Congrès Palais des congrès Montréal

    1983

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

  • Palais des congrès Montréal

    1984

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

  • Tour Eiffel

    1985

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

  • Évènement Palais des congrès Montréal

    1989

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

  • Obélisque 1991

    1991

    Opening of a commercial office in Washington.

  • Dal

    1993

    Visit from the Dalaï-lama.

  • Palais des congrès Montréal

    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.

  • Palais des congrès Montréal

    1996

    First ever Canadian Cardiovascular Congress on the Palais

  • Tempête 1998

    1998

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

  • Palais des congrès Montréal construction 1999

    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

  • Palais des congrès Montréal

    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.

  • Congrès Palais des congrès Montréal

    2003

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

  • Palais des congrès Montréal

    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.

  • La conférence des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques 2005 Palais des congrès

    2005

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

  • Palais des congrès Montréal

    2008

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

  • Congrès Palais des congrès Montréal

    2009

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

  • Palais des congrès Montréal

    2010

    Earliest advance booking ever of an event at the Palais: The American Society of Human Genetics conference is scheduled for 2031, i.e. 21 years ahead of time.

  • Toit Palais des congrès Montréal

    2011

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

  • Palais des congrès Montréal

    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

  • Exposition au Palais des congrès Montréal

    2014

    Record year: the Palais hosts 48 major events.

  • Tourisme Montréal

    2015

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

  • Toit Palais des congrès Montréal

    2016

    Inauguration of the Palais’ Urban Agriculture Laboratory.

  • Palais des congrès Montréal

    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.

  • Michelle Obama 2018 Palais des congrès Montréal

    2018

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

  • Toit Palais des congrès Montréal

    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.

  • Conférence Palais des congrès Montréal

    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.

  • Vaccination Covid 19

    2021

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

    The Palais launches a training program on transforming events .

  • 2022 - COP15

    2022

    Montréal hosts the 104th Lions Clubs International Convention.

    The Palais welcomes AIDS 2022, the 24th International AIDS Conference, and its 7,000+ delegates.

    The FIC holds the first North American edition of its International Cybersecurity Forum at the Palais des congrès de Montréal.

    In only months, the Palais puts together the second part of the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15), during which a landmark agreement for the protection of biodiversity is reached.