A longstanding sustainability advocate, the Palais des congrès de Montréal has launched an initiative that it hopes will pick up steam in the events industry.
Operation Bouquet of Smiles was launched at the centre’s Recognition Awards Gala, which honours individuals who have helped bring an international convention to Montréal.
The floral arrangements on each of the 50 tables was wrapped with a ribbon that read: “The Palais is proud to give these flowers a second life, by delivering them to the Manoir-de-l’âge-d’or tomorrow.”
The next day, a small team of Palais employees visited the long-term care home and distributed the flowers to its residents, who were visibly moved.
According to the Palais des congres, the purpose of Operation Bouquet of Smiles, which was coordinated with the help of the Société de développement social de Ville-Marie and in partnership with GDI, is to spread happiness and raise awareness among businesses and organizations operating in the tourism and events industry about the importance of taking sustainable actions.
The hope is that it will encourage them to imitate the Palais and implement one or two initiatives that will benefit their own activity sector.
“Planning an event that also has a favourable sustainable social impact on our community is a tremendous opportunity to make a difference,” says Chrystine Loriaux, director of Marketing and Communications at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. The Palais’ other sustainability initiatives include Journée Coup de pouce, an annual activity now in its 10th year, where employees lend a helping hand to Montréal community organizations.
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