In this fourth episode of L’arrière-scène podcast, our team talks to Mr. Alain Aubut, President of the Board of Directors of the Québec City Convention Centre since October 2020. They discuss his role as Chair, how the board operates, and current projects at the Centre.
ANN CANTIN:
To start, could you tell us a bit about your background?
ALAIN AUBUT:
I started out as an entrepreneur in the 1980s. I founded and sold a few businesses up until the early 2000s, mostly in the interactive digital content sector—back when we were talking about floppy disks and CD-ROM software. With the rise of the internet, business models changed, and I got involved in the industry through associations, particularly with the Alliance numérique. I was already chairing boards in the early 2000s. Since 2002, I’ve been supporting tech entrepreneurs in Québec and in the French-speaking community around the world, helping them grow their markets and business strategies. I’ve also led the Fondation de l’entrepreneurship and the Réseau Mentorat, and was involved with the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Québec. My long-standing engagement in the Québec City business community naturally led me to the Québec City Convention Centre. It’s incredibly fulfilling to contribute to our region’s economic development.
ANN CANTIN:
How long have you been President of our Board of Directors?
ALAIN AUBUT:
I’m now in my fifth year. My current term is set to end in October 2025.
ANN CANTIN:
How many members sit on the board?
ALAIN AUBUT:
There are 11 members, including the CEO. Two Centre executives also attend the meetings—the Board Secretary and the Director of Administration. It’s a diverse group, which makes for a very dynamic environment.
ANN CANTIN:
How does one become a member of the Convention Centre’s Board of Directors?
ALAIN AUBUT:
The Centre is a government corporation. Board members are appointed by the Cabinet based on recommendations from the Ministry of Tourism and the Secrétariat aux emplois supérieurs. You can’t just propose a replacement, you must apply through the appropriate official channels.
ANN CANTIN:
What is the purpose of a board of directors in an organization like ours?
ALAIN AUBUT:
The board provides both guidance and governance. We oversee financial auditing, risk management, human resources, and ethical governance, while also providing recommendations and input on various Centre projects. We have four committees:
- Audit
- Human Resources
- Ethics and Governance
- Strategy and Revenue
The last one was introduced by the new CEO and focuses on the future and new opportunities. The Centre’s team regularly shares insights with us on emerging trends and development strategies.
ANN CANTIN:
Is there a notable difference between the President’s role and that of other board members in terms of responsibilities?
ALAIN AUBUT:
The President doesn’t work alone. Much of the work is handled within the individual committees. Each committee has its own chair who ensures follow-ups are done, and proposed resolutions are then approved by the board.
ANN CANTIN:
Do you feel involved in the results achieved by the Québec City Convention Centre’s teams?
ALAIN AUBUT:
There’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed between governance and operations. One of my responsibilities, without being a policeman, is to maintain that balance. At the board, we ask questions to the executives, we stay informed, but we don’t intervene directly in operations. That’s the key to letting everyone fulfill their roles. Our board operates well thanks to this transparency and synergy.
ANN CANTIN:
What are the board’s upcoming priorities or key issues?
ALAIN AUBUT:
The evolving convention market, especially in the U.S., the tramway construction project in Québec City, which may impact access to the Centre, workplace climate and staff retention, and financial matters. Thankfully, the management team keeps us well informed so we can fulfill our role effectively.
ANN CANTIN:
What are you most proud of as President over the past five years?
ALAIN AUBUT:
The quality and dedication of our board members. I hold annual one-on-one meetings with each of them to gather more personal insights. I also invite an expert in governance every year to share knowledge and enrich our discussions. And of course, there are concrete achievements like hosting major events, such as the Rendez-vous d’affaires de la Francophonie.
ANN CANTIN:
Thank you very much, Mr. Aubut, for this enlightening conversation.
ALAIN AUBUT:
Thank you as well.
