Montréal’s thriving technology sector is perfectly matched with the city’s lively lifestyle, delectable food, fun festivals and picturesque event venues. From intimate spaces for small-group VR activities to huge spaces complete with built-in production studios, there’s a high-tech venue for every event, in-person or hybrid. Here are seven of our favourite technologically savvy venues.
PHI
PHI is a meeting place for creative minds, where new concepts reflect a continuing exploration and understanding of art and technology. Along with a specialization in virtual realities and 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.
Maximum capacity: 266
Société des arts technologiques
Known as the SAT, this non-profit organization is internationally recognized for its leading role in the development of immersive technologies and augmented reality by the creative use of high-speed networks. The Satosphère — a huge domed space on the building’s top floor — is the first permanent immersive environment dedicated to activities related to artistic creation and visualization. Its dome forms a spherical 360-degree projection screen that can give great heft to presentations.
Maximum capacity: 350
Palais des congrès de Montréal
Montréal’s convention centre is located downtown and features 508,756 sq. ft. of exhibition surface area, 113 rooms, and 18 loading docks with levellers, in a building that has been awarded BOMA Best 3 sustainability certification. They have a partnership with TKNL Productions, a creative force that leverages its technical wizardry, logistical knowhow and mastery of virtual platforms to make compelling content and engaging experiences. Space rental options include an array of exceptional high-definition screens, 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.
Maximum capacity: 13,384
Maison symphonique de Montréal
An event with technically precise audio requirements can only take place in the most specific of venues. In compliance with 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 is home to the Montréal Symphony Orchestra.
Maximum capacity: 2,100
Port of Montréal’s Grand Quay
The Port of Montreal’s Grand Quay offers a range of spaces that combine multipurpose rooms, terraces, outdoor spaces, greenery and a promenade that provides attendees with breathtaking views of the river and city from a vast green roof adorned with over 24,000 flowering plants. The reception spaces include the T1 Cruise Terminal, an immense multipurpose hall with exceptional natural light and huge bay windows, as well as multiple rigging points for equipment.
Maximum capacity: 3,000
Montréal Science Centre
With an IMAX theatre onsite, the rentable spaces at the accessible Montréal Science Centre are extremely adjustable and capable of adapting to all sorts of interactive devices and innovative environments. Among the several industrial-style event spaces, most have views on the St. Lawrence River. The Passerelle-Perspective has plentiful rigging and many screens for projections.
Maximum capacity: 850
Planétarium — Espace pour la vie
Located right by the Olympic Stadium, the boldly designed Planétarium has rooms designed to provide superior comfort for tech events, including the capacity for immersive shows in one of the 360-degree dome theatres. Dedicated to popularizing the science of astronomy, the venue, which has won numerous architectural awards, offers a main hall and multifunctional rooms for rent.
Maximum capacity: 400
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