Quebec City, QC

Key Highlights

Hotels 171
Total Sleeping Rooms 17,250
Largest Exhibit Space 74,809 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate CAD $129
Average Daily Meal Cost CAD $110
Average Weekly Car Rental CAD $379

Quebec City, QC Meeting Planning Overview

Welcome to the meeting and event planning guide to Quebec City, written with meeting planners in mind. Quebec City's fairytale setting and modern conveniences combine to create one of the most convention-friendly destinations on the continent. Known as the cradle of French civilization in North America, Quebec City boasts a remarkable heritage that's exemplified in everything from its soaring churches to its treasured museums to the ancient fortified walls that still surround the city's oldest neighborhood. With all it has to offer, Quebec City receives both a steady stream of accolades – and about five million visitors every year.

Enjoying Quebec City's romantic charm and European style does not require a lengthy or expensive journey. Just 16 kilometers from downtown, the Jean Lesage International Airport is the 2nd busiest passenger airport in Quebec and offers more than 325 weekly flights. Expansion plans are in the works to offer even more options to air travelers. The city is also easily accessible via an extensive highway network, a convenient option for guests traveling from destinations such as Montreal and Ottawa, which are fewer than five hours away.

What awaits guests upon arrival in Quebec City is one of the world's most sophisticated and enviable hotel and service networks. In fact, Quebec City is on the cutting edge of technology, being home to a number of new, innovative businesses and research centers. It's no surprise that the city's more than 17,000 hotel rooms and various convention facilities are more than equipped to handle business events of all fields and sizes, from large medical conferences to small engineering forums.

Recognized as the world's best convention center by the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC), the Quebec City Convention Centre hosts an average of 150 events every year within its 21,500 square meters of space. Meanwhile, the 371,000-square-meter ExpoCite is equally suited to tradeshows and congresses as it is to major sporting events and cultural shows. In fact, the multi-purpose venue hosts Expo Quebec, the largest fair in Eastern Canada, every year.

Brimming with colorful arts venues and historic buildings, Quebec City offers plenty of options for getting together in a somewhat less traditional setting. The Musee national des beaux-arts du Quebec and the Musee de la civilisation, the most popular museum in the city, both offer several spaces for events of 10 to 10,000 people. Host meetings or receptions at the Manoir Montmorency, a spectacular banquet venue that overlooks the enchanting 83-meter Montmorency Falls. Or take advantage of Quebec City's pleasant summer weather with a group dinner cruise on the water offered by Croisieres Courier.

As the capital of the province, Quebec City's largest employer is the government, while CHUQ, the local hospital network, also has a significant number of employees. Insurances companies such as Industrial Alliance and La Capital are headquartered in Quebec City. It is also home to Universitee Laval and the central campus of the Universitee du Quebec.

About Quebec City, QC / Additional Info

Spanning over 9,000 square kilometers in the St. Lawrence Valley, the picturesque Quebec City is cradled by the majestic Laurentian Mountains and 1,200-kilometer long St. Lawrence River. Quebec City's unique geography includes two distinct sections: the area on top of the 100-meter-high Cap-Diamant promontory known as Upper Town, and the low-lying section along the river shore known as Lower Town. Together, these sections alone form the 2nd most populous city in the Quebec province with over 600,000 residents.

Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, Quebec City is known as the cradle of French civilization in North America and has since been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perhaps the best place to explore the city's extraordinary heritage is in Vieux-Quebec, or Old Quebec. Dating back to the early 17th century, Old Quebec is still surrounded by over four kilometers of fortified city walls that speak to its strong military history. Visitors to the Fortifications of Quebec not only experience three centuries of history but also enjoy spectacular views of the skyline.

In addition to exploring the city walls themselves, guests find a wealth of historic and cultural attractions within Old Quebec. Tour the Basilique-Cathedrale-Notre-Dame de Quebec, a stunning piece of Neoclassic architecture and the final resting place of four governors of New France and Quebec's first bishop. Also in the neighborhood is the famous Château Frontenac. One of many grand hotels build for the Canadian Pacific Railway, the property, now owned by Fairmont, is one of the most photographed hotels in the world.

Outside of Old Quebec, visitors find plenty to discover. Watch history in the making as the National Assembly debates in the grand Parliament Building, one of the most important buildings in the city. Take a memorable gondola lift ride to the top of the Montmorency Falls, which, at 83 meters high, measure in at 30 meters higher than Niagara Falls. Even if guests don't have time to visit all of the city's attractions, they can still see them all atop the Observatoire de la Capital, a 221-meter-tall tower that affords panoramic views of Quebec City.

Though it's easy to get lost in the magic of Quebec City's many sights, visitors should be sure not to overlook one of its most popular pastimes: food. Referred to as North America's fine dining capital, the city certainly does not lack in establishments that will delight the taste buds of even the most experienced foodie. From gourmet French cuisine to casual bistro fare, restaurants in Quebec are numerous and varied. Enjoy fine wine and authentic French dishes at Le Saint-Amour, refined Quebec cuisine at laurie raphael, or fresh fish and seafood at Poisson d'Avril, located right in front of the marina at Old Port.

 
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