Every event has the potential to leave a mark, but a few achieve something more. Conferences have the power to create lasting memories, shape careers, and connect people in meaningful ways. At the Québec City Convention Centre, those moments happen every day. What begins as a professional gathering often transforms into a defining chapter of a personal story.
In honor of the Convention Centre’s 30th anniversary, we are celebrating the people behind the events. From first-time speakers to seasoned planners, here are a few of the defining moments experienced within these walls.
From Travel Blogger to Confident Creator: Amy’s Story
For Amy Green, the UK-based cultural travel blogger behind TempleSeeker.com, the Centre was the catalyst for a major business pivot.
“Attending TBEX at the Québec City Convention Centre truly transformed my business,” she says. “It was my first time at the conference, and the sessions on video and AI gave me the tools to finally step confidently into YouTube.”
Since her visit, Amy has launched successful video content, including a short filmed at the Saint Joseph’s Oratory that garnered over 1,500 views in days. “I left Québec feeling energized and connected to a global community. The Centre was the heart of that evolution.”
From First Event to Full-Circle Career: Heather’s Story
For Heather Reid, CEO of Planner Protect and a seasoned event planner with over 30 years of experience, our walls hold the “bookends” of her career.
“In the 1990s, the Québec City Convention Centre hosted the very first full conference I ever planned. In 2023, it hosted my last. It was a beautiful, full-circle moment.”
Heather’s journey involved bringing numerous associations to the Centre, consistently citing the team’s support as the gold standard. She was so impressed that she nominated two team members for an industry award—which they won. The most emotional moment? Reconnecting with Isabelle Godin, a former sales professional who returned to volunteer at the Centre after retirement. “We both shed a few tears. It was deeply emotional.”
A Testament to Trust: Alison’s Story
For Alison Nash, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Orthodontists (CAO), returning to the Québec City Convention Centre was more than a professional milestone. It marked the culmination of years of collaboration, trust, and meaningful connection through some of the industry’s most challenging times.
“Only three times in our 75-year history have we had to cancel our Annual Scientific Session because of global events,” she explains. “Two of them were scheduled to be held in Québec City.”
The first instance was in 2001. The CAO team was already en route to the venue when the 9/11 attacks unfolded. With the immediate support of the Convention Centre and city suppliers, they managed to cancel the entire event before it even began. When the conference was finally held in 2005, the welcome they received made a lasting impression on every attendee. History mirrored itself in 2021 when the pandemic forced another cancellation. This time, the Centre demonstrated its trademark flexibility and care by helping move the entire event to 2025. “When our members finally came back last year, it was a long eight years after we first signed the contract. Yet it felt like greeting old friends. The Convention Centre staff were just as eager to host us as they were those many years ago.”
The Québec City Convention Centre: More Than a Venue
These stories prove that the Québec City Convention Centre is more than just a building; it is a partner in professional growth. It is a place where ideas take shape and people create moments they carry for a lifetime. When the right space and the right people come together, an event becomes a legacy.
