Montreal Host to Several International Events in 2017

mayor coderre on bixi
Mayor Coderre, promotion Bixi to foreign visitors. Source: Montreal Gazette

In 2017 Montreal will be celebrating its 375th anniversary, the 40th anniversary of Expo 67, as well as Canada’s 150th (well, not everybody in the city will be joining the Confederation festivities, because, you know, the French – but still, it’s an interesting conjuncture), and much is already being done to prepare Montreal for the party, with tens of millions of dollars invested in new facilities by the Société du parc Jean Drapeau (which incidentally has been placed in trusteeship by the city following reports of “mismanagement and irreguralities”), hundreds of projects submitted to Je Vois Mtl, and Mayor Coderre courting various international organizations to secure the city as a host for their congresses and events in 2017.

In recent news it was announced that Montreal had won the bid to host the 2017 Metropolis Congress, a gathering of representatives, experts and panelists from approximately 150 cities from around the world. That’s only one of several major events that will be held in our city – here are few more that you probably haven’t heard about yet.

International Orchestra Conference

orchestre metropolitain montréal

Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin leading the Orchestre Métropolitain.

The Quebec Musicians’ Guild (GMMQ) has been chosen to host the 4th edition of the International Orchestra Conference from February 24 to 26. During three days, over 250 musicians, conductors, experts, orchestra directors, and musicians’ unions will come together and attend workshops to exchange notes (haha, get it?) on various common issues related to orchestra operations around the world.

62nd International Association of Public Transport (UITP) World Congress

The 62nd International Association of Public Transport (UITP) World Congress will take place from May 13 to 17, and will attract over 9,500 delegates and visitors from more than 80 countries. Fittingly, in will be held at the Palais des Congrès, at the center of the city’s major transportation infrastructures.

World Police and Fire Games

WPFG 2013

Brazil vs Spain during the 2013 WPFG Beach Volleyball event in Belfast.

Between July 28 and August 6 10,000 firefighters, police officers, and correctional facility officers from 70 countries are expected to compete in various sporting events. Don’t expect any firefighters from Montreal, though: they’re boycotting the 2017 WPFG in protest against cuts to their pension plans.

Canada Pride 2017

Fierté Montréal is organizing the 10-day Canada Pride celebration from August 11–20. The program will open with a weekend of sports events and feature an international conference on LGBT rights, as well as a series of indoor and outdoor parties and concerts, plus the annual LGBT Community Day, Dyke March and Pride parade. Pope Francis is on the guest list, but he hasn’t RSVP’ed yet.

Mission Design World Summit

mission design montreal

Mission Design chose Montreal’s ubiquitous construction cone to represent the city at 2014 World Expo in Taipei

Mission Design is a Montreal-based non-profit organization created by and for people in the field of design, architecture and urban planning. From October 5 to 21 interior designers, graphic designers, industrial designers, landscape architects, architects and planners from around the globe to cross-pollinate and share knowledge. More info here (I can’t believe their site isn’t responsive).

Intelligent Transportation Systems of Canada World Conference

ITS Canada defines Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) as the “application of advanced and emerging technologies (computers, sensors, control, communications, and electronic devices) in transportation to save lives, time, money, energy and the environment.” Participants will be hovering and teleporting in to Montreal for their 2017 annual gathering, which will be held from October 29 to November 2.