M Montréal, Québec by Tanja Nowotny Montréal, Quebec shines as both a business powerhouse and a cultural nexus. Set on an island on the St. Lawrence River, the city was recently ranked number one in North America by Watkins Research Report for ease of doing business. Additionally it earned an impressive 92 per cent customer satisfaction rating through Business Events Montréal. “Montréal is a city unlike anywhere else, with fascinating contrasts that leave an indelible impression on everyone who visits,” said Karine Laferrière, Manager, Meeting and Convention Sales, Canadian Corporate Market, Tourisme Montréal. “Old-world classic architecture sits right next to cutting-edge galleries and shopping, and our beloved metro puts every neighbourhood within easy reach.” As the second-most populous municipality in Canada – with over 1.7 million people – Montréal is a big, exhilarating city with much to see and do. Described as chic, safe and easy to access, the city overflows with fun, festivals and cultural sparkle. Creative and keenly business-oriented, Montréal is a city where people converge and ideas flourish. Visitors find the city’s North American energy and European chic an irresistible combination. In 2017 the city celebrated its 375th anniversary, but despite that rich history, Montréal feels vibrant, young and thrillingly diverse. “Every step of the way there’s one-of-a-kind culture to explore and experience,” Laferrière said. “And, then there’s the food – which is rightfully world-famous. The streets are full of neighbourhood bistros, five-star restaurants, food trucks and corner shops that are both tasty and easy on the pocketbook.” According to Laferrière, the dollar stretches further in Montréal than in other major Canadian cities such as Toronto or Vancouver. “We did an analysis of the average costs in these cities and it turns out Montréal is, on average, 18 per cent cheaper,” she said. “As just one example, lunch in a casual restaurant in Montréal is 25 per cent cheaper than in Toronto, and beer in a pub is 23 per cent cheaper. Even taxi rides are five per cent cheaper.” OLD-WORLD CHARM MEETS NEW-WORLD FLARE 18 CORPORATE MEETINGS & EVENTS corporatemeetingsnetwork.ca The cobblestone streets of Old Montreal remind visitors of Montreal’s rich history.