Montérégie’s Marketing Day: A Comedy of Collaboration
A big shoutout to all you entrepreneurs and tourism gurus out there—on December 3rd, Tourisme Montérégie and the Beauharnois-Salaberry MRC are throwing a marketing day that’s sure to be a hit! With the MOCO Hotel in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield as the backdrop, it’s about to get very “Montérégie” in here. And by “Montérégie,” I don’t just mean the views of rolling hills, but a whole lot of passion for local tourism that makes you want to high-five a maple tree!
A Stimulating Day — Not Just Coffee and Ideas
Now, when I say “stimulating,” I mean you’re going to fired up, not just from coffee! The day kicks off with Dominic Provost, the marketing and communications whiz at Tourisme Montérégie—because nothing says patience like listening to the guy who spends his days talking about the lovely bits of Montérégie.
But wait, there’s more! Daniel Rioux, from IDÉ Trois-Rivières, will dish on how that city went from steel and smoke to stunning and scenic. Apparently, if you spruce up a marina and throw in a pedestrian street, you can turn the industrial grind into a tourist goldmine! Who knew the secret ingredient was just a little paint and a splash of hospitality?
“The future lies in collaboration. We want to create days of rapprochement between major decision-makers, local businesses and all people active in the promotion and development of a region.
Uh-oh, did someone say “collaboration”? Cue the awkward high-fives and team-building exercises! Mario Leblanc, the general director of Tourisme Montérégie, is all about weaving the intricate web of partnership—a web that might just ensnare someone in a cozy Christmas sweater on their way to the Innovation Cocktail. We’ll get to that later, don’t worry!
Time to Choose Your Own Adventure—But With Workshops!
Next up, we have workshops that offer choices. You remember those Choose Your Own Adventure books? Well, this is more like a Choose Your Own Workshop saga! Here’s the lineup:
- Proudly Cycling in Montérégie — Ever thought bikes could save the world? Join Amélie Caron and Sandra Bergeron as they explain how cycling is more than a way to look cool in Lycra; it’s an economy!
- Selling our gourmet tourism: package deals and tourist circuits — Because who doesn’t want a food coma on a holiday? Expect flavor explosions from our panel of experts including Frédéric Pichette and Caroline L. Delorme—finding out what goes into that glorious poutine!
- Renewed welcome in Montérégie — Ever had a waiter who made you feel like you should have just made a sandwich at home? Join Marie-Lou Rancourt and Stéphanie Cottin as they share the secrets to a “memorable customer experience.” Spoiler alert: it involves fewer eye-rolls!
- Culture, engine of development in Montérégie — How do we make Montérégie a cultural mecca? Nancy Bélanger and crew are ready to brainstorm some out-of-the-box ideas. Let’s ensure it’s a destination worth recalling at dinner parties!
The Grand Finale: Innovation Cocktail and Christmas Market
So, after what is presumably an exhausting day of camaraderie and caffeinated brainstorming, there’ll be an Innovation Cocktail session. Here, we witness the beauty of start-ups—think of it as speed dating for business ideas! Start-ups like Fractal Robotic Solutions are set to unveil gadgets that could revolutionize the industry. I mean, if a robot can sell a holiday ham, can we finally call Christmas a success?
“Our businesses play a vital role in our regional promotion. We hope our guests will be inspired and will take advantage of the event to put Montérégie products under their tree,” adds Audray Lemieux, director of territorial development.
Get Your Ticket, Come On Down!
Now, my dear tourism enthusiasts, if you think you can handle a day filled with marketing magic, innovation, and a few bad puns, then nab that ticket for just $55—yes, for the price of one mediocre dinner, you could catapult your ideas into the stratosphere of Montérégie tourism!
So mark December 3rd on your calendar. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to network or a municipal politician trying to save face by being “involved,” this event is tailor-made for you. Don’t let the chance of being part of Montérégie’s transformation pass you by—because just like a good Dutch oven, great things take time and a bit of heat!
The Beauharnois-Salaberry MRC, in collaboration with Tourisme Montérégie, is set to host a significant marketing day on December 3 at the prestigious MOCO Hotel in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. This event promises an engaging agenda that highlights the diverse attractions and unique offerings of the Montérégie region, inviting entrepreneurs, elected officials, and key stakeholders in tourism development to participate.
A stimulating day
The day’s activities will kick off with a keynote address by Dominic Provost, the marketing and communications director at Tourisme Montérégie. Following this, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a dynamic dinner conference led by Daniel Rioux, the tourism coordinator of IDÉ Trois-Rivières. Rioux will delve into the transformative journey of Trois-Rivières, detailing how this historically industrial city has successfully repositioned itself as a prominent tourist destination through strategic investments in hospitality, the enhancement of its marina, and the development of a vibrant pedestrian street in its downtown area.
“The future lies in collaboration. We want to create days of rapprochement between major decision-makers, local businesses and all people active in the promotion and development of a region. We will come up with ideas, generate partnerships and express our great Montérégie pride,” declares Mario Leblanc, general director of Tourisme Montérégie.
In the afternoon, attendees will have the chance to participate in two out of four engaging workshops designed to inspire and educate:
- Proudly Cycling in Montérégie — This workshop will explore the dynamics and significant impact of the bicycle economy in the region, featuring insights from Amélie Caron, coordinator for cycle tourism at Tourisme Montérégie, and project manager Sandra Bergeron, who focuses on developing multifunctional networks.
- Selling our gourmet tourism: package deals and tourist circuits — Participants will gain exclusive insights into how to market and package Montérégie’s gourmet tourism offerings, guided by industry experts, including Frédéric Pichette from Tourisme Montérégie and Caroline L. Delorme from the Association de l’Agrotourisme et du Tourisme Gourmand.
- Renewed welcome in Montérégie — This session will help identify the essential elements that contribute to creating a memorable customer experience, led by Marie-Lou Rancourt, strategic planner at Agence SGM, and Stéphanie Cottin of Tourisme Montérégie.
- Culture, engine of development in Montérégie — This workshop will focus on collaboratively building a unique cultural destination in Montérégie, featuring Nancy Bélanger of Culture Montérégie and Émilie Fortier, the artistic director at Valspec.
The day will culminate in an Innovation Cocktail event at the Christmas market, where three exciting start-up companies—Fractal Robotic Solutions, My Cantine, and Miévo—will showcase their innovative products that are poised to transform the industry landscape. Following the presentations, participants will have the chance to engage in networking while exploring the array of exhibitors at the Christmas Market.
“Our businesses play a vital role in our regional promotion. We hope that our guests will be inspired and will take advantage of the event to put Montérégie products under their tree,” says Audray Lemieux, director of territorial development for the MRC.
Get a ticket
Tourism development professionals in Montérégie are encouraged to attend this important event. Reservations can be made online for just $55 by visiting the online ticketing platform.
The Beauharnois-Salaberry MRC is proud to collaborate with Tourisme Montérégie for this event, as part of its commitment to promoting tourism and enhancing regional development according to its community-focused guidelines.
What key insights will attendees gain from the keynote presentation by Dominic Provost at Montérégie’s Marketing Day?
**Interview with Mario Leblanc, General Director of Tourisme Montérégie**
**Interviewer:** Mario, thank you for joining us today! The Montérégie’s Marketing Day sounds like an exciting event. What inspired the creation of this event?
**Mario Leblanc:** Thank you for having me! The inspiration for Montérégie’s Marketing Day really stems from a desire to bring together key players in our tourism industry—local businesses, decision-makers, and stakeholders—all under one roof. We believe that collaboration is the key to success in promoting our beautiful region. By sharing ideas and building partnerships, we can elevate Montérégie’s tourism offerings even further.
**Interviewer:** That makes a lot of sense! You’re kicking off the day with a keynote from Dominic Provost. What should attendees expect from his presentation?
**Mario Leblanc:** Dominic is truly a treasure when it comes to marketing our region. Attendees can expect him to share insights about the unique attractions Montérégie has to offer and how we can communicate those effectively to tourists. It’s going to be informative and enthusiastic—so buckle up!
**Interviewer:** I hear there will be a workshop line-up that’s sure to engage attendees. Can you tell us a little more about those?
**Mario Leblanc:** Absolutely! We have four fantastic workshops tailored to different aspects of tourism. For instance, we’ll discuss how cycling is developing into an economy of its own in Montérégie and how to market our gourmet tourism. Each session aims to inspire innovative ideas while addressing practical skills that participants can apply right away.
**Interviewer:** The event also features an “Innovation Cocktail” and a Christmas market. How do you think these elements contribute to the overall experience?
**Mario Leblanc:** The Innovation Cocktail is like speed dating for new business ideas! It’s a chance for fresh start-ups to showcase their innovations and for established businesses to network. Mixing that with the Christmas market creates a vibrant atmosphere—it’s fun, festive, and represents the spirit of collaboration and creativity that we want to foster. Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to discover local products for the holiday season!
**Interviewer:** Lastly, why do you think entrepreneurs and stakeholders in the community should attend this event?
**Mario Leblanc:** This is a unique chance to connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about promoting Montérégie. They’ll leave inspired, armed with new ideas, and ready to take action. Whether you’re an entrepreneur trying to establish your brand or a municipal politician wanting to learn more about the tourism sector, this event has something for everyone. We’re excited to see how our collective efforts can shape the future of Montérégie!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mario. It sounds like Montérégie’s Marketing Day will be a fantastic experience for all involved!
**Mario Leblanc:** Thank you! We can’t wait to welcome everyone on December 3rd!