Montreal convention center gets tech revamps, includes digital signage

The Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal is pleased to announce they have selected the consortium formed by Bell and Cisco as their project integrator for the improvement of the Palais des congrès de Montréal's technology environment and services. The selection followed a public bidding process. The initial phase of the project will involve upgrading the wired and wireless internet network infrastructures, and installing a dynamic signage network equipped with touch screens.

"We are proud to team up with world IT leaders with operations in Montréal. Their expertise will contribute to the renewal of the business customer experience and to promoting Montréal's know-how locally and internationally," indicates Marc Tremblay, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Adds Élaine Legault, Client Experience Director and the person in charge of the project's development: "The Palais already enjoys a distinctive reputation for its personalized and solution-driven approach. Adding technology to our service offering means our customers will be guaranteed an unforgettable experience in the heart of a city widely reputed for its creative flair."

The technological optimization of the Palais is already underway as the convention centre prepares to host 2,100 delegates from 80 countries for the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) October 21 to 24, 2012.

"As Québec's leading communications company, Bell is very pleased that the Palais des congrès has chosen our innovative business communications solutions. We look forward to helping make the Palais a world-class showcase for the latest broadband communications technology and services," said Martine Turcotte, Executive Vice-President, Québec, Bell.

"The Cisco team in Québec, backed by Cisco's worldwide expertise in event technology, is proud to contribute to the Palais' growing reputation nationally and internationally. We adapt business technologies to conventions and all types of events for the purpose of improving the customer experience on an ongoing basis," underscores Jean-Claude Ouellet, Vice-President, Sales and Operations, Eastern Canada, Cisco.

A strategic project
The Palais des congrès de Montréal is in the process of a major hi-tech modernization project. During the course of 2012, it will become one of the leading technology-friendly convention centres in North America, where event organizers, exhibitors and convention-goers will enjoy a high performance environment.

Noteworthy improvements include:

• Upgraded network infrastructure for unparalleled connectivity;
• New e-commerce-enabled web platform also featuring dedicated intranet zones for customers to facilitate event and exhibition planning and foster efficient information sharing;
• An event-focused customizable mobile app organizers, exhibitors and convention-goers can use throughout the course of their stay;
• New digital signage and touch screens for broadcasting rich content tailored to each event;
• An event intelligence infrastructure focused on further enhancing the networking experience for convention-goers, and also tracking strategic statistical data for convention and exhibition organizers.

The Palais will also launch a new mobile-adapted website that will feature a user friendly and thoroughly enjoyable browsing experience. Designed in tandem with the firm Inpix, the site will quickly set a new industry standard by offering rich content and superior quality graphics.

Québec Tourism Minister Nicole Ménard states: "The Palais' new technology offering will render the convention centre top-of-mind with decision-makers from major associations who want their delegates to benefit from hi-tech know-how and a high performance environment. The record number of 368 events hosted by the Palais in 2011-12 and the more than $200 M they generated speaks to the importance of investing in growth-generating projects that will make it possible for the city and the province to maintain their favourable reputation as business destinations."

Connected to the world and in synch with the needs of customers continually seeking the latest trends in high performance user-friendly solutions, the Palais will become a global platform for major events where success will be measured by the extent and quality of the technological experience.