Call for conceptsTransform a space at the Palais des congrès de Montréal using creative AI

WHY PARTICIPATE

This call for concepts seeks to explore how artificial intelligence can enrich and reinvent event spaces. Whether it’s through interactive installations, intelligent environments or immersive experiences, we’re looking for solutions that redefine the interaction between participants and their environment.

CRITERIA AND PARAMETERS OF THE CONCEPT

• Transformation of a space: The Concept must fit into a defined space within the Palais des congrès de Montréal and offer an innovative experience with the potential to change existing practices or create new opportunities. (Weighting: 30%)        
• Technical feasibility: The Concept must be feasible and adaptable to an event context. (Weighting: 20%)    
• Impact and originality: The Concept must stand out through its creative and engaging approach. (Weighting: 20%)
• User experience and accessibility: The Concept must elicit human interaction (visual, sound, tactile or multisensory). The experience should be engaging and intuitive for users. (Weighting: 15%)
• Team engagement and vision: The team behind the Concept must demonstrate an ability to execute their vision and benefit from support to implement it and take it further. (Weighting: 15%)

PRIZE

Financial support: The Palais des congrès de Montréal will allocate $25,000 to fund the development of the chosen concept.
Support: TKNL, the Palais des congrès de Montréal’s audiovisual partner, will provide professional support in the development of the project as well as technical guidance and appropriate equipment for its  implementation at the Palais des congrès de Montréal (up to a value of $35,000).
Support for other funding: In the event that the budget for completing the Concept exceeds the value of the Prize, the Palais des congrès de Montréal will support the Candidate who presented the winning Concept in finding additional funding, partnerships and sponsors to support its completion.
Launch: Divertir IA will enable the launch of the developed Concept as part of its E-AI 2026 event.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Individuals or companies interested in participating in the call for concepts must complete the Expression of Interest Form below.

Once the form has been sent, the procedure for submitting an application package will be sent by email.

The Palais des congrès de Montréal wishes to offer candidates the freedom to present their concept in the format of their choice: written document, video, interactive presentation or any other relevant electronic medium.

The application package must include at minimum the following elements:

• Title of the concept
• Concept summary, including the nature of the Concept, the main proposed elements, the items to be funded and the anticipated outcomes.
• Context and objective: Explain how the Concept meets the Organizer’s Objective.
• Approach, methodology and innovation: Provide more detail on the approach, methodology, technologies used and innovations introduced by the Concept.
• Candidate or candidate’s team: The Application must describe the experience and qualifications of the Candidate or their team, including expertise, complementarity and accomplishments, and the CV of each team member.
• Budget: Explain how the Candidate plans to use the Prize to fund and implement the Concept, with estimated amounts allocated to relevant budget items. If applicable, an estimate of any additional budget required for full development of the Concept should also be included.
• Implementation timeline: Provide a summary timeline for the implementation of the Concept.
• References: The Candidate may include references and documentation related to the Concept or the team members in support of the Application.
• If applicable, an Attestation de Revenu Québec or the SIN of the winning Applicant will be required (consult the complete rules for details).

Submission deadline: Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

Selection: A jury of five (5) people comprised of AI specialists and innovators recommended by Divertir AI, as well as staff members from the Palais des congrès de Montréal and TKNL, will evaluate the proposals and select a concept. The winning concept will be announced to the Candidate on September 2, 2025. The project will be developed in fall 2025 and officially launched as part of the E-AI 2026 event that will be held at the Palais des congrès de Montréal on February 18 and 19, 2026.

The winning project will take shape in a space at the Palais, an emblematic Montréal venue, demonstrating the transformative power of AI in events and creativity.

Dare to reinvent event spaces with AI!

Rules:

Call for original concept submissions aimed at enhancing the event experience at the Palais des congrès de Montréal begins on June 18, 2025, at 12:00:01 a.m. ET and ends on August 31, 2025, at 11:59:59 p.m. ET. The Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal is the organizer, and all natural persons or companies operating in Québec are eligible to participate. Eligibility is based on several criteria, including but not limited to: Candidates must hold exclusive rights to the original concept submitted. Only one (1) submission per person is allowed. Submissions will be reviewed by a jury according to the criteria outlined in the rules (transformation of a Palais space: 30%, technical feasibility: 20%, impact and originality: 20%, experience: 15%, and commitment and vision: 15%). The jury reserves the right to reject all submissions if none meet the established criteria. Subject to entering into a service and licencing agreement (which includes an exclusivity period) with the Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal, the prizes (approximate value) are: $25,000 for development of the selected concept, $35,000 in professional support from TKNL and the launch of the winning concept by Divertir IA during its E-AI 2026 or 2027 event. For the complete rules.

Photo credit : © Eva Blue