The Québec City Convention Centre celebrates 20 years of performance and leadership in business tourism

Twenty years ago on August 29, 1996, the Québec City Convention Centre opened its doors in Québec’s capital. Since then, the Centre has grown into a business tourism leader and a major economic driver for the Québec City area.

The Centre effect: $1.8 billion

 In 20 years, the Centre has hosted 2,719 events, including 1,028 conventions, about a quarter of which were international. These events have generated a total of $1.8 billion in economic spinoffs and $389 million in government tax and tax-related revenues. In addition, the Centre has maintained and created an average of 1,200 jobs, many of which are nonspecialized positions. 

“From day one, the Convention Centre has had a major impact in the Québec region, whether it’s in creating jobs or generating 3 million room-nights in hotels and bringing in $436 million in revenues for hotels and restaurants. Not to mention our contribution to putting Québec City on the map as a premier destination for meetings, conventions and events", said Convention Centre CEO P.-Michel Bouchard. 

Major events

In its short history, the Convention Centre has played host to big marquee events that have helped cement the city’s international reputation as a top destination with the know-how to host large-scale events. Floralies Internationales, the Summit of the Americas, the Summit of la Francophonie, the International Summit of Cooperatives, the 10^th SportAccord Convention, and the Winter World Masters Games are a few examples.

20 years of loyal clients

Since it opened, the Québec City Convention Centre is fortunate to have earned the loyalty of a number of Québec organizations that, year after year, choose to hold their conventions or tradeshows at the Centre. Among the Centre’s repeat customers are Fédération québécoise des municipalités, Desjardins Group, Union des producteurs agricoles du Québec, Association des intervenants en fournitures de bureau, BMR, Chambre des notaires du Québec, Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux, Association québécoise des pharmaciens propriétaires du Québec, and Centrale des syndicats démocratiques.

Proven leadership

In addition to being named World’s Best Congress Centre in 2006 by the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC) and finishing as a finalist in 2014, the Québec City Convention Centre has also proven its convention industry leadership and creativity on a variety of levels, including its involvement in creating and managing the Québec City Business Destination initiative.

Hailed for its expertise in sustainable development, it was the first convention centre in Canada to offer turnkey solutions for eco-friendly event planning. From a technological standpoint, it was also the first convention centre in Canada—and one of the few worldwide—to provide clients and visitors free high-speed WiFi access in all its spaces. And to top it all off, it boasts a relationship and traditional marketing approach that’s anything but conventional.

About the Québec City Convention Centre

The Québec City Convention Centre opened its doors on August 29, 1996. Through its activities and mission to attract conventions and major events, the Québec City Convention Centre generates significant economic benefits for Québec City, while enhancing the capital’s reputation around the world. The Centre, which is LEED-CI and EB, BOMA BESt, and AIPC Quality Gold certified and was named World’s Best Congress Centre in 2006 and finished as a finalist in 2014 (AIPC), stands out for its high management standards, the know-how of its staff, and its excellent customer service.