While Montréal enjoys a reputation as being “exotic” — at least that’s what surveys tell us! — we are much more than delectable food, fun festivals, and cute French accents. Like any major North American city, we are diverse when it comes to culture and multidimensional when it comes to successful business sectors.
One of these successful business sectors is technology. With a thriving startup scene, a world-renown video gaming industry and a celebrated AI sector, Montréal has stepped into the 21st century with technology in its DNA.
With that in mind, here are five of our favourite technologically savvy venues.
PHI Centre
The PHI Centre is a meeting place for creative minds, where new concepts reflect a continuing exploration and understanding of art. Along with flexible halls that can be transformed for a variety of events, including launches, conferences, screenings, shows, concerts, and installations, the PHI also contains creative and production studios. A multifunctional salon equipped with a professional kitchen called Espace Plateau is linked to the third floor Control Tower and, by extension, to all the other spaces in the Phi Centre for any type of broadcast. phi-centre.com
Notman House
Constructed in 1844, Notman House does not qualify as the most architecturally modern venue. Yes, the heritage building is old, but the community that thrives within those historic walls is anything but archaic. As Montréal’s technology hub, it’s a launching pad for many entrepreneurs and startups (who rent office space in the building). Tech-friendly and über-hip, the house offers a large collaborative meeting space that’s open to the general public — a perfect venue for an innovative meeting. notman.org
Society For Arts and Technology (Sat)
Founded in 1996, the SAT is a non-profit organization internationally recognized for its active and leading role in the development of immersive technologies and augmented reality by the creative use of high-speed networks. The Satosphère is the first permanent immersive environment dedicated to activities related to artistic creation and visualization. Its dome forms a spherical 360-degree projection screen. sat.qc.ca/en
Palais des Congrès de Montréal
This list would not be complete with Montréal’s own convention centre. Located downtown and linked to 4,000 hotel rooms, the Palais des congrès de Montréal features 508,756 sq. ft. of exhibition surface area, 113 rooms as well as 18 loading docks with levellers, in a building that has been awarded BOMA Best (Go Green) environmental certification. Options include Wi-Fi, an array of exceptional high-definition screens (perfect for advertising your sponsors!), a configurable mobile event app and an e-commerce client portal. The convention centre is also home to the largest indoor immersive experience in Canada: OASIS Immersion.
Bonus: the rooftop patio has the feeling of being “offsite” with the convenience of staying onsite. congresmtl.com/en
Maison Symphonique
An event with technically precise audio requirements can only take place in the most specific of venues. In compliance with the most stringent international norms for acoustics, stage design, and architecture, the Maison symphonique de Montréal is built to the high standards followed by the designers of the best concert halls in the world. Designed to showcase all musical genres, the hall has a capacity of 2,100 seats. It’s home to the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. placedesarts.com
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