Palais des congrès de Montréal unveils key points of forthcoming health measures program

As it prepares to reopen, once the public health authorities greenlight the restart of operations, the Palais des congrès de Montréal is working diligently on the final touches of its health measures guide, which will make it possible to host events in compliance with the standards in effect and in accordance with social distancing rules to ensure a safe environment. PROGRESS, the Palais Reopening Operating Guide to Running Events with Safety Standards, addresses different facets of a conference or exhibition, which have been retooled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The main pillars of this new approach to health and safety include:

• Redefining the participant greeting process to ensure traffic flow and facilitate crowd management
• Running a contactless environment to foster safer transactions
• Adopting a considerate approach to communicating with event organizers and participants predicated on preparation, guidance and reassurance
• Stepping up housekeeping standards and upgrading the cleaning products used
• Developing new event concepts and digital solutions designed around practicing 2-metre distancing every time and everywhere
• Adapting our caterer’s food and beverage offering with safe, responsible solutions, without compromising delicious taste

The program’s new measures are based on the directives already issued by the government of Québec, namely the recommendations by the Québec public health institute regarding work and public places, and by the Québec council on tourism human resources. Both bodies will have to approve the measures before the Palais reopens.

Masks and personal protective equipment

As part of the new measures, event participants will be strongly encouraged to wear a mask. Also, Palais employees whose roles and duties require them to be in contact with participants, will wear personal protective equipment (PPE), as per the directives of the province’s public health agency and workplace safety board. These employees will receive mandatory training on recommended PPE usage.

New hybrid event solutions

Alongside this new program, the Palais also recently announced new hybrid solutions aimed at facilitating the process of organizing and hosting events. An emerging concept, hybrid events will make it possible to combine a live physical event with virtual interactions in real time thanks to affordable digital solutions. Given the current situation, hybrid events will help offset lower turnouts, especially those occasioned by travel restrictions.

Read about our integrated hybrid solutions

We have always made it our priority to offer participants attending events at the Palais a positive and safe experience. Our team adapted to the situation very swiftly, and we are now ready to host gatherings as soon as circumstances permit.