About Montréal
On an island in the Saint Lawrence River, Montreal is the largest city in Canada’s Québec province. It is named for the triple-peaked peak, Mount Royal. Many of its boroughs used to be independent cities. They include the cobblestoned, French colonial Vieux-Montréal, which is home to the Gothic Revival Notre-Dame Basilica, and the bohemian Plateau.
TAXES
- How much is the total cumulative hotel tax? 3.5% accommodation tax is in effect in Montréal. There are also two applicable taxes in Québec that can qualify as a rebate for international groups: a federal goods and services tax (GST) of 5% and a Québec provincial tax (TVQ) of 9.975%)
- How much is the F&B tax? There are two applicable taxes in Québec (which can qualify as a rebate for international groups): a federal goods and services tax (GST) of 5% and a Québec provincial tax (TVQ) of 9.975%)
- How much is the average F&B gratuity? Depending on the venue policy. It is customary to tip restaurant waiters, taxi drivers, and hairdressers 15% – 20% of the bill, before taxes. Hotel porters generally receive $2 per bag.
AIRPORT
- How many miles from the airport to downtown? 12 miles
- Is there public transportation, such as a bus or subway available? Upon arrival, you will find tourist information and various options for making your way to the heart of the city: car rentals, limousines, and taxi services, as well as airport shuttles. Montreal will have a metro system from the Airport to city center by end of 2024. Taxi or Uber offers express lane service taking 20 minutes or less. The 747 Express bus operates 24/7/365 and will get you to the downtown stops in 40 to 60 minutes (depending on traffic).
- How much does the public transportation cost?
For one passage $3.25 CAD
For one day pass $10 CAD
For 3 days pass $18 CAD
For a week pass $27.75 CAD - What is the shuttle bus fare from the airport to downtown? $10 CAD (allowing a 24h access of the Montreal Public Transport (metro and bus)
- What is the taxi fare from airport to downtown? $58-63 CAD
- How many daily flights in and out of airport? Over 150 – CLICK HERE for real-time information
- Is the airport a hub for any carrier? Air Canada, Air Inuit, Air Transat, Sunwing Airlines and Porter Airlines
- What are the major carriers serving airport? Algérie, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air Inuit, Air Transat, Alitalia, American Airlines, British Airways, Brussel Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Finnair, Iberia, Icelandair, KLM, Lufthansa, Middle East Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Sunwing Airlines, Swiss,Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Westjet
HOTELS
- How many committable hotel rooms downtown on peak night? Over 16,000 located Downtown and within a 10-minute walk to the Convention Center
- How many committable hotel rooms downtown on peak within walking distance to convention center? 4,000 rooms directly linked to the Palais des Congres
- How many headquarter hotel properties? 4
- How many rooms available on peak night at the largest headquarter property? 700
- Can you list hotels by rating?? 5 star, 4 star, 3 star?
- 5 Star
Four Seasons Montreal
The Ritz-Carlton
Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile - 4 Star
Fairmont Queen Elizabeth
Montreal Marriott Chateau Champlain
Hotel Monville
Le Westin Montreal
Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hyatt Regency
Crowne Plaza
The Lofts, Renaissance
Hotel Omni Mont-Royal, InterContinental Montreal
Hotel Bonaventure Montreal
DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal
Humaniti Hotel Montreal Autograph Collection
Delta Hotels by Marriott Montreal
Hotel William Gray - 3 Star
Courtyard by Marriott Montreal
Fairfield by Marriott Montreal Downtown
Hilton Garden Inn
Hotel Le Dauphin Montreal Centre-Ville
Hampton Inn by Hilton Montreal
CONVENTION CENTER
Convention Center Palais des Congres de Montreal
BOMA certified downtown gem offers 508 756 sq. ft. of event space, state-of-the-art technology, and a powerful Wi-Fi network that can support up to 20,000 users
- How many total gross square feet of exhibit space at Convention Center? 396,785 sq. feet
- How much of this exhibit space is contiguous? 199,052 sq. feetl
- How many total gross square feet of meeting space is available at the Convention center? 508,756 sq. feet
- How many meeting rooms does the convention center have? 113
- How big is the largest meeting room? 199,052 sq. feet
- How many ballrooms does the convention center have? 3
- How big is the largest ballroom? 50,228 sq. feet
- When was the last renovation or expansion? 2022 – Since its last major expansion (2003), the Palais des congrès de Montréal has added a beautiful sun-filled terrace to its spaces (250 people banquet-style), providing an unforgettable outdoor experience in a lively urban setting. The Palais has also undergone a complete renovation of its green roof, creating a new, eco-friendly, and innovative design (35,000 sq. ft / 3,251 m2) to serve as a showcase and testing ground for urban farming techniques and technologies in Quebec (2022). A unique space will be available in the middle of this urban oasis for small group gatherings.
- When is a future renovation/expansion scheduled? As of today, the Palais has no plans for major renovation or remodeling of its existing facility, other than ordinary maintenance. The Palais has reserved land nearby for eventual expansion purposes in the future. There is a feasibility study underway and decisions are expected within the next few months. We look forward to providing you with more information as soon as it becomes available.
- Is there free Wi-Fi at the convention center? Yes – Level 1
- Is there an exclusive in-house Electrical provider? Yes, this is operated by the building.
- Is there an exclusive in-house AV provider? TKNL Experience Makers is the official partner – CLICK HERE
- Is there an exclusive in-house decorator? GES Canada is the preferred partner but not exclusive – CLICK HERE
- Is there an exclusive in house caterer? Capital Traiteur – Chef Simon Devost-Dulude – CLICK HERE
- Is the convention center a union property? Yes
- If union property, can you provide estimated pricing list? N/A
- If union property, can you provide estimated pricing list? N/A
- Here are a list of labor unions with whom planners will be required to work at the convention center:
F&B Services – Teamsters
GDI Services Handling & Layout – FTQ Section Local 800
Cleaning Services – U.E.S. Section Local 800
Employees – CSN
The Palais des congrès de Montréal enjoys good labour relations predicated on respect and professionalism. No scheduled event, going all the way back to when the Palais opened in 1983, has ever had to be interrupted due to a labour conflict involving the managing corporation or its suppliers. The latter are actually required to continue to operate in the event of a labour dispute. The members of the Palais staff have always been dedicated to customer service, and their level of professionalism is widely recognized.
For more information, CLICK HERE
OFF SITE VENUES
- How many off-site venues within walking distance can host up to 2,000 people? 6: Bell Center, Plaza Centre-Ville Reception Halls, Complexe Dejardins, Grand Quay and Port of Montreal Tower, MTELUS, Plaza Volare @ the Convention Center
- How many restaurants are within walking distance of the convention center? Approximately 400 (over 4K in the city)
- Can you list 3-5 local attractions and their whereabouts?
- Le Grande Roue de Montreal – Canada’s tallest observation wheel, stands 60 meters above the Old Port, with sweeping 360-degree views. Featuring lavish, climate-controlled gondolas that accommodate up to eight people each, there’s even a VIP cabin with a glass floor!
Old Port of Montreal: A short walk or metro stop - Mount Royal Chalet – An incredible City view from another perspective showcasing the French Beaux-Arts and Arts and Crafts architectural styles, part of the city’s heritage, atop Montreal’s highest peak overlooking the city skyline. On a clear day, you can see the Green Mountains of Vermont.
- Mount Royal Park: 2.5 mile walk from Old Montreal, popular running trail, taxi, Bixi, or public transportation
- Montreal Mural Art Tours – Tour through Montreal’s neighborhoods to discover street art produced by international and local artists during the largest mural festival on the continent, MURAL.
Saint-Laurent Blvd.: Metro, Bixi, ride-share or taxi. - The AURA Experience – A 30-minute multisensory experience. Immerse in a visual and musical universe displayed upon the French-inspired Gothic Revival architectural interior of Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal Old Montreal: Within walking distance or a metro stop.
- Cité Mémoire – More than 25 paintings animated in images, words, and music. The artworks emerge from the surrounding walls, trees, and sidewalks. Used with an app and is located throughout Old Montreal; a destination in itself, Old Montreal is a historic neighborhood with a charming Parisian flair. Stroll the cobblestone streets and admire the stunning architecture, European-style shops and cafes, and Old Port.