Montréal, March 16, 2016 – Tourisme Montréal, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and its team of international trade experts, the World Trade Centre Montréal, have successfully concluded the second edition of MTL à Paris week, presented by Air Canada. The delegation for the trade, cultural and tourism mission included 40 businesses and organizations as well as 69 participants from the tourism, agri-food and creative industries. From March 6 to 10, MTL à Paris week showcased Montréal in the French capital by presenting its strongest assets: its creative industries, its rich, diversified culture, its potential for tourism and its businesses that contribute to the city’s flourishing economy.
Participating companies took part in networking activities, including one-on-one, personalized meetings with potential clients and partners. Unique opportunities were part of the program, such as tourism events, which demonstrated everything Montréal has to offer tourists, the Omnivore festival, bringing together professionals from the French gastronomy industry, a visit to the Rungis market, the leading market for fresh products in the world, and the Contact MTL event at the Canadian ambassador’s residence in Paris. The conference on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, presented by Pierre Marc Johnson, former Premier of Quebec and attorney at Lavery Lawyers, brought together close to 200 participants who learned more about the agreement and how to apply it in their businesses.
“Once again this year, leveraging connections between culture and business helped establish lasting relationships between companies in the two cities,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade. “Paris is the ultimate destination for this type of approach because it is one of the main European business centres and a cultural capital. The week highlighted the strong interest among the French for niche Quebec products in the agri-food sector and how curious food lovers are about Montréal chefs.”
“MTL à Paris was the opportunity for Tourisme Montréal to show its leadership in promoting our cultural city: Montréal stole the spotlight, and we generated a great deal of interest among the French,” said Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. “The success of this second edition confirms the value of this multidisciplinary trade mission that we initiated two years ago. Montréal is making its presence felt as a major urban destination.”
“Trade missions like this one are opportunities to reinforce ties of friendship and develop partnership, exchange and knowledge-sharing agreements,” said Pierre Desrochers, Chair of the Ville de Montréal’s Executive Committee. “As we head into celebrations for the city’s 375th anniversary, it is essential that we promote it internationally – economically, culturally and socially, and in terms of tourism.”
“The week in Paris was worthwhile, and we hope it will generate positive outcomes,” said Natalie Catherine and Stéphanie Provost, from Soeurs en vrac. “People were curious about Quebec products, and we think there is a place for them on the French market. We chose France as our first international market to explore. Arriving in an unfamiliar market requires help, and the trade mission was particularly profitable for us. The visit to the Rungis market was interesting and positive. We were very impressed with how it was organized.”
“We appreciated the wide range of activities, which gave us a chance to meet consumers, form ties with distributors and motivate our sales teams in France,” said Gwendal Creurer, a partner at Bec Cola, which took part in the trade mission for the first time. “The week gave us a chance to consolidate our partnership with our distributor Lou Bio and Finestra sul Cielo France organic food products.”
About MTL à Paris week
Presented by Air Canada, the second edition of MTL à Paris week is organized by Tourisme Montréal and the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal’s team of international trade experts, the World Trade Centre Montréal, with the cooperation of the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie Paris Île-de-France. The initiative is made possible through the support of many partners: Air Canada, the presenting sponsor for the event, Lavery Lawyers, collaborator for the lunchtime conference, Tourisme Québec and Destination Canada, public partners, as well as the ambassadors of the initiative: the Ville de Montréal, Montréal International and Zone Franche.
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal’s business community and to promote the city’s prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to business of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.
About the World Trade Centre Montréal
With the help of its World Trade Montréal experts, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal offers international trade services to the extended business community, with the support of Canada Economic Development.
About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position the "Montréal" destination on leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal's tourism product in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the market.
For more information, visit www.mtl.org.
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For information or to schedule an interview:
Guillaume Bérubé
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
514 871-4000, ext. 4042
gberube@ccmm.qc.ca
Andrée-Anne Pelletier
Manager – Corporate Public Relations
Tourisme Montréal
514 844-3344
514 264-1638
aapelletier@mtl.org