Palais des congrès de Montréal « 201 Viger Avenue West « Montréal, Québec, Canada
PALAIS DES CONGRÈS DE MONTRÉAL
 
THE BEST SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
 
The Palais understands the special role it plays in the community and is doing its part to change the course of events. It is an active member of the Green Committee set up by the Montréal tourism industry and firmly believes in the benefits of geotourism, i.e. promoting Montréal as green while continuing to curb the environmental footprint of the city’s tourism activities. Not surprisingly, Montréal is the world’s first major city to sign the National Geographic Society’s Geotourism Charter, while the Palais is also supporting efforts to develop green meeting standards for Québec.

Other examples of how deeply the Palais values its social responsibility include its ongoing work with its partners to introduce a variety of initiatives for the Montréal community, such as a goodwill program promoting the reuse by community organizations of items and materials unused during events, requiring employees to perform community work for one day and also donating untouched surplus food to homeless shelters.

Approximately 10% of the events held at the Palais in 2007-2008 included green practices. The Palais uses a personalized approach to guiding event organizers through the green planning process and thus further widen the scope of its efforts. Its “a la carte” services make it possible for each event organizer to curb their environmental footprint in a way that reflects their actual needs and how green they can go.

The Palais’ green event planning process is inspired by best sustainable development practices, and is outlined in its Organizing a Green Event Guide. It has a proven track record, and today some of its major events serve as models of green planning.

Known as an environmental performance leader, the Palais adopts green practices that have a favourable impact on several aspects of its operations, e.g. reducing water use, recycling (paper, wood, glass, metal, plastic, as well as bulky items such as plaster and carpeting) using eco-friendly construction materials, and managing hazardous waste and ozone depleting substances. These practices are governed by an environmental building management policy.

In addition, the Palais carries out regular maintenance of its heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and gives priority to green certified and biodegradable products for housekeeping use.

 

The Palais des congrès de Montréal: an environmental performance leader.