2,000 participants expected in Montréal for the XIV World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf

From: Canada NewsWire (press release), Canada - Jul 16, 2003

MONTREAL, July 16 /CNW Telbec/ - Tourisme Montréal and the Palais des
congrès de Montréal are pleased to welcome the XIV World Congress of the World
Federation of the Deaf in Montréal this year. The event, organized by the
World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), will take place from July 18 to 25, 2003
and is expected to bring approximately 2,000 Deaf and hearing professionals to
the city.
"The Congress is just another example of how Montréal is becoming the
destination of choice for events of this scope," says Charles Lapointe,
President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. "Montréal's location and
multiculturalism make it a very attractive option for conference organizers,
especially when delegates are coming from around the world."
"This event only takes place every four years and we are proud to be the
host city for 2003", says Paul Saint-Jacques, President and CEO of the Palais
des congrès de Montréal. "The Congress promises bookings of 7,000 room-nights
with anticipated economic spin-offs in the vicinity of $5,700,000. This is
more great news for the tourist industry."

Established in 1951, the WFD is an international, non-governmental and
non-profit organization that comprises national associations of Deaf people.
It has membership in 123 countries and represents the interests of
approximately 70 million Deaf people around the world. The WFD works for human
rights and equal opportunity for Deaf people everywhere, promoting their right
to use sign language to access education, information and all other spheres of
life.

The tourism industry is crucial to the Greater Montréal economy. Last
year, tourist spending reached more than 2.1 billion dollars and helped
support more than 70,000 jobs in the metropolitan Montréal area.

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For further information: Pierre Bellerose, Vice President, Public
Relations, Tourisme Montréal, (514) 844-2404,
bellerose.pierre@tourisme-montreal.org; Jocelyn Ann Campbell, Director of
Communications, Palais des congrès de Montréal, (514) 871-8122,
pcmcomm@congresmtl.com

© 2002 Canada NewsWire Ltd. All rights reserved.