The Palais des congrès de Montréal announces the departure of its CEO, Robert Mercure

The Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal announces the departure of its Chief Executive Officer, Robert Mercure. Mr. Mercure will be pursuing his career in Québec City for personal and family reasons, as the new Executive Director of the Office de tourisme de Québec.

After taking over as CEO only in September 2018, Robert Mercure nevertheless managed to inject new energy into the Palais by laying the foundation for a promising vision. Now equipped with a sound strategic plan, the Palais teams will be able to carry on his objective of creating the convention centre of the future.

Major accomplishments in a short period of time

During his tenure at the Palais, Robert Mercure left his mark through several innovative initiatives. Among his many legacies engineered in record time are:

• CITÉ, an Events Lab where strategic partners and Montréal startups work side by side on generating event experiences that are both unforgettable and affordable;
• Palais Média Propulsion, high-tech studios for producing and streaming TV, radio and podcasting content;
• OASIS immersion, a permanent immersive attraction like no other in the world, inside the Palais;
• MTL Reunion, an international hybrid event created by the Palais that drew 2,000 participants from 30 countries;
• The Palais Seasons, a cultural series and initiative aimed at spotlighting local artists, in collaboration with MASSIVart, and a major exhibit with the CAPSQ network of Québec painters and sculptors;
• Achieving the carbon neutrality of the Palais building via a joint partnership with Université Laval;
• An effective carbon offset program for event organizers and participants, with the support of Planetair;
• A new branding to support the Palais’ new vision and corporate culture;
• A dynamic training program developed specifically for event planners to help them transform their events.

Robert Mercure has also led the Palais through an unprecedented global situation. Under his leadership, the Palais did more than adapt – it responded to the new reality triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic by outright transforming itself and reinventing its offering.

Keeping the new vision moving forward

The Palais’ many achievements have put it in a better position to meet the challenges ahead and also move ahead with its plans. In order to preserve its services’ reputation for excellence, the Palais will continue to develop and offer event experiences centred around the human experience and innovation, and will also continue to shepherd event planners looking to reinvent themselves and mentor them through the process. Everyone at the Palais will fondly remember a line Robert Mercure enjoyed repeating often: “The Palais is more than a just a convention centre. We’re not in the business of selling square footage. We’re about solutions.”

Details regarding Robert Mercure’s replacement as CEO will be made available at a later date.

I am leaving the Palais filled with emotion and pride. Since my arrival in 2018, I have had an amazing opportunity to work with a very dynamic and professional team I have come to appreciate enormously. I will miss them dearly. Together, we succeeded in launching numerous initiatives that I am convinced will help drive and support the success of future events in Montréal. More than a convention centre, we are now a solutions centre adapted for the events industry’s new reality and future needs.

Robert Mercure distinguished himself by the quality of his work and by his achievements. Working alongside him has been a delight. His creativity and energy delivered a helping hand across the entire organization, and they will have a profound impact on the Palais. In as little as two-and-a-half years, he set the Palais on a course for enduring success. We must now find a visionary leader that will carry on his strategic plan.

I would like to thank Robert Mercure from the bottom of my heart for his exceptional work throughout his tenure at the Palais des congrès. His leadership not only resulted in bolstering the Palais brand globally, but also served to deepen the Palais’ involvement with communities, partners and stakeholders devoted to the development of Montréal and Québec as whole. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude for his exceptional contribution. We are on solid footing to continue to move the Palais forward and vigorously get things back on track, once the situation allows.