Press release
Business communities join forces for the development of the Olympic Park
Montréal, December 15, 2011 – The Chambre de commerce de l’Est de Montréal, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec today unveiled their vision for the development of the Olympic Park.
In their brief, the three organizations propose leveraging the extent of the sports facilities, developing the cultural and tourism role of the site, banking on Montréal’s creativity to distinguish the Olympic Park and making the most of the deployment of A Space for Life.
“The development of the Olympic Park is a unique opportunity to attract visitors and tourists to the east end of Montréal,” said Denis Risler, President of the Chambre de commerce de l’Est de Montréal. “A service offer will have to be developed to make the area more attractive and appealing, but in the final analysis this project will give the east end of Montréal a new lease on life.”
“The city needs an exhibition centre that can host major international exhibitions because these sorts of events offer substantial economic spinoffs,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “The Olympic Park is available and can accommodate the type of facilities required. A busy exhibition centre, along with what the Palais des congrès has to offer, will be invaluable in positioning Montréal as a leading place for business in North America.”
“Giving the Olympic Park facilities a facelift, including the stadium, holds promise for eastern Montréal,” said Françoise Bertrand, CEO of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec. “We believe that we have to develop a new role for this infrastructure, one that relates both to sports and culture.”
To download the brief, click on this link: www.ccmm.qc.ca/memoire_parc_olympique (In French only)
The mission of the Chambre de commerce de l’Est de Montréal (CCEM) is to defend and promote the economic and social interests of the 30,000 businesses within its territory. With approximately 1,100 members, the CCEM is the largest association of businesspeople in the eastern part of the city and exercises its leadership to encourage the participation of socioeconomic actors in its community.
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec's leading private economic development organization.
With its large network of over 150 boards of trade, the Fédération deschambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) represents over 60,000 businesses and 150,000 businesspeople active in every sector of the economy across Quebec. The FCCQ champions the interests of its members in public policy, fostering an innovative, competitive business environment.
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Sources:
Isabelle Foisy
General Director
Chambre de commerce de l'Est de Montréal (CCEM)
Tel.: 514 354-5378, ext. 225
ifoisy@ccemontreal.ca
Geneviève Jutras
Advisor, Communications
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042
gjutras@ccmm.qc.ca
Mathieu Filion
Interim Communications Director
Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec
Tel.: 514 844-9571, ext. 3242
514 808-9156
mathieu.filion@fccq.ca