Look Out Montreal, Here Comes SIMA

'Montreal will be the perfect city for SIMA to celebrate its past, present and future for our 20th anniversary.'

By Martin Tirado, CAE
After several months of research, site visits, and negotiations with meetings and tourism officials in Montreal, I’m excited to announce that Montreal, QC has been selected as the location for the 20th Annual Snow & Ice Symposium in 2017!

The SIMA Board of Directors has long discussed reaching out beyond our U.S. based sites for the Symposium. With Symposium locations consistently booked out 3 years in advance, the stars started to align to hold 2017 in Canada. Montreal rose to the top amongst several other cities and convention centers that were evaluated. With our host hotel at the Hyatt Regency Montreal and the trade show and education at the Palais de Congres de Montreal, the Symposium will take place in the bustling, exciting and entertainment-filled heart of this amazing city. The official dates will be June 18-21, 2017, and here’s why you should be there:

• Montreal is the largest city in the Province of Quebec, the 2nd largest in Canada, and the 8th largest in North America. Its history is lush, with a native population presence traced back over 4,000 years ago, Montreal was incorporated as a city in 1832 and served as the capitol of Canada from 1844-1849. Its current state is vibrant and thriving, with a wide assortment of restaurants, entertainment and cultural attractions all located within close proximity of our host hotel and the convention center.
• Montreal is a bilingual city. With French serving as the official and most commonly spoken language, the majority of its residents are fluent in English. Upon a recent visit to the city, all hospitality and other people I met clearly spoke both languages. It was common to hear both French and English spoken amongst other hotel and restaurant guests, as well as in public streets.
• As an international destination, the city has world-class attractions for both tourists and business travelers. Symposium attendees will love the summer weather, outdoor concerts and open-air dining and entertainment that make Montreal unique. You will want to bring your spouse and family to this city.

Before I’m asked, the answer is “yes” you will need a passport to enter Canada if you are not a Canadian citizen. Tourism Montreal personnel will be attending the 2016 Symposium to help with the process of obtaining or renewing your passport if needed. For exhibitors, we have secured a relationship with a customs broker who will make the shipment of booth and marketing materials to and from Montreal easy for you. Montreal’s tourism staff has hosted hundreds of business conventions attended by international attendees, so SIMA’s experience in Montreal will not be uncommon to them. On the contrary, the city of Montreal will offer a unique experience to SIMA.

Montreal will be the perfect city for SIMA to celebrate its past, present and future for our 20th anniversary. 2017 cannot come quick enough! I look forward to seeing you there.