Centre des congrès de Québec
Centre des congrès de Québec is a Quebec-provincial public corporation operating a flagship convention venue in Old Quebec, hosting 209 events and 250,000+ visitors annually for association, scientific, corporate, and consumer-event organizers across Canada and international markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersQuébec, Canada
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Centre des congrès de Québec does
Centre des congrès de Québec (legal entity: Société du Centre des congrès de Québec) is a Quebec-provincial public corporation that operates a four-level, ~75,000 sq ft flagship convention facility adjacent to Parliament Hill in Old Quebec. Founded in 1996 and preparing its 30th anniversary in 2026, the venue hosted 209 events and 250,000+ visitors in fiscal year 2024-2025, generating $166M CAD in regional economic spinoffs. Its product surface spans core venue rental (Exhibit Hall 400 ABC plus 30- to 7,500-capacity meeting rooms), exhibitor logistics, professional audiovisual services, internet/WiFi, security and staffing, and an eco-responsible event program; food and beverage is delivered exclusively through partner Capital HRS, which provides ~90% of customer-facing service personnel.
The business model is quote-based B2B venue rental sold through a dedicated commercial delegation focused on American and international markets, augmented by the Cercle des ambassadeurs de Québec—a ~150-member network anchored at Université Laval that bids for and recruits international scientific and association congresses. Distribution relies on direct enterprise sales, RFP intake, partner hotels (Hilton Québec, Delta), tourism bodies (Québec Destination affaires, Office du tourisme de Québec), and the Montre ton badge attendee-engagement program. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; multi-year contracts and bundled F&B/AV/service packages drive revenue. Multiple sustainability certifications (LEED Canada-CI Gold, LEED EB Silver, BOMA BEST Level 3, Biosphere, Hydro-Québec Exemplary Buildings) and 2006 AIPC APEX "World's Best Convention Centre" recognition underpin a brand-positioned moat, while 2026 product launches (Salon YQB airport lounge, Polo autonomous reception robot) and the H₂Orizon co-conference with Nantes illustrate incremental product-line extension.
Centre des congrès de Québec firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Centre des congrès de Québec
- Legal name
- Société du Centre des congrès de Québec
- Website
- https://convention.qc.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Centre des congrès de Québec is a Quebec-provincial public corporation operating a flagship convention venue in Old Quebec, hosting 209 events and 250,000+ visitors annually for association, scientific, corporate, and consumer-event organizers across Canada and international markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Centre des congrès de Québec industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Convention and Event Venue Services
- NAICS
- Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB), Conference & Convention Center Catering (THAHAKAB), Convention Center–Adjacent/Connected Hotels (THAGALAD)
Keywords
Where Centre des congrès de Québec is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Québec
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Centre des congrès de Québec business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Venue Rental: Rental of flexible meeting spaces, ballrooms, exhibition halls, and pre-function areas to event organizers. Multiple room configurations available from small meeting rooms (30 people) to large exhibition halls (7,500 theatre capacity)
- Food and Beverage Services: Catering and food services provided exclusively through partner Capital HRS, including restaurants, bars, and on-site food courts
- Audiovisual Services: Professional audiovisual equipment and technical support services for events including HD videoconferencing, webcasting, and integrated room technology
- Additional Event Services: Internet, digital signage, display advertising, security, greeting staff, shipping and customs handling for exhibitors
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom event packages - pricing varies by event type and requirements |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Centre des congrès de Québec product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Centre des congrès de Québec operates a convention centre in Quebec City providing meeting rooms, ballrooms, and exhibition halls (including Exhibit Hall 400 ABC and Salon YQB) for conferences, conventions, trade shows, and corporate events. It packages venue space with ancillary event services such as food and beverage (operated in partnership with Capital HRS), audiovisual, internet connectivity, security/staffing, and sustainability-focused event support, and runs an ambassador program (Cercle des ambassadeurs) to attract international events.
Product overview
The Centre des congrès de Québec is a convention center offering a comprehensive suite of event hosting services through its core venue rental products and modular add-on services. The facility features multi-level versatile spaces including Exhibit Hall 400 ABC (the flagship 6,950 m² main exhibition space), various meeting rooms and ballrooms across four levels, and specialty spaces like Urban Space and Salon YQB. Add-on services encompass Food and Beverage (via partner Capital HRS), Audiovisual Services, Internet/WiFi, Security and Staffing, and Sustainability Services. The center also operates the Cercle des ambassadeurs program for congress recruitment and the Montre ton badge discount program for attendees.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Convention and Exhibition Venue Rental Rental of meeting rooms, ballrooms, and exhibition halls, including the Exhibit Hall 400 ABC and Salon YQB, for conferences, conventions, trade shows, and corporate events. Targeted at professional event organizers, associations, corporations, and trade show producers.
- Food and Beverage Services On-site food and beverage catering and hospitality delivered in partnership with Capital HRS for events hosted at the Centre des congrès de Québec.
- Audiovisual Services Audio, video, lighting, and staging equipment and on-site technical support for conventions, conferences, trade shows, and staged events hosted at the venue.
- Internet Connectivity Services High-speed wired and wireless internet access provisioned for event attendees, exhibitors, and organizers across the convention centre.
- Security and Staffing Services On-site security personnel and event staffing support provided to event organizers during conventions, trade shows, and corporate events hosted at the venue.
- Sustainable Event Services Sustainability-oriented event planning and accreditation support that helps organizers run environmentally responsible events at the Centre des congrès de Québec.
Quantifiable outcome
- 250,000+ visitors and $166M economic impact in 2024-2025
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Centre des congrès de Québec
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Centre des congrès de Québec technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature4 records
Centre des congrès de Québec partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Aéroport international Jean-Lesage de Québec (YQB)corePartnership to operate Salon YQB, an airport-inspired premium lounge and workspace within the convention centre. Features real-time flight information, business amenities, and co-working spaces accessible to convention attendees and public. Opened February 2026.
- AlvéoleminorUrban beekeeping partnership placing honey bee hives on the convention centre roof. Alvéole manages hive maintenance, honey extraction, and provides apiculture training to Centre staff. The partnership produces approximately 10 kg of pesticide-free honey annually and supports urban pollination initiatives.
- Rennes MétropolecoreCollaboration agreement signed between Centre des congrès de Québec and Rennes Métropole (France) to develop mutual attractiveness for international congresses and organize rotating events between both territories. Also includes sharing of technical and logistical best practices, and support for opening of Rennes' new convention centre Le Couvent des Jacobins.
- Cité des congrès de NantescoreFrench partner in the collaboration alongside Rennes Métropole for digital business events (Opportunités digitales, Intelligences numériques). Part of broader cooperation between Western France cities and Quebec for business tourism development.
- Université LavalcoreOver 20-year partnership enabling 105+ international events and nearly $265M in economic benefits. Université Laval researchers serve as ambassadors and host scientific congresses. The Centre provides scholarships to Laval research funds and the Cercle des ambassadeurs is co-developed with university involvement.
- Québec InternationalcoreCo-founder of Cercle des ambassadeurs de Québec. Québec International supports business tourism development and international event recruitment through economic development initiatives and industry networking.
- Office du tourisme de QuébeccoreCo-founder of Cercle des ambassadeurs de Québec alongside Centre des congrès, OTQ, and CCI Québec. Joint initiative to stimulate business tourism in the Quebec City region.
- Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Québec (CCI Québec)coreCo-founder of Cercle des ambassadeurs de Québec. CCI Québec co-hosts Fidéides gala and supports business networking initiatives.
- Capital HRScoreExclusive food services partner providing all catering, restaurants, bars, and snack facilities within the convention centre. Capital HRS supplies culinary staff, manages food operations, and delivers on-site food and beverage services for all events. 90% of customer-facing services are delivered by Capital HRS personnel.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Centre des congrès de Québec competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Palais des congrès de Paris: Major European convention center operated by Viparis (Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield), hosting large international congresses and exhibitions. Comparable in scale and service mix but benefits from Paris's larger addressable market and broader portfolio venues.
- Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC): Major US convention center operated by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, comparable in service mix (venue rental, F&B, AV) and targeting association congresses and trade shows. Significantly larger scale and US-based competition for North American congresses.
Others
- Cité des congrès de Nantes: French convention center and active strategic partner of the subject (formal collaboration since 2016, co-organized H₂Orizon 2027). Comparable in scale and operations, but functions as a partnership counterpart rather than direct competitor given the geographic separation.
Direct peers
- Metro Toronto Convention Centre: Canada's largest convention center, ranked #1 nationally and the direct competitor for the largest international congresses. Operates comparable venue rental, F&B, AV, and event services across two downtown buildings.
- Vancouver Convention Centre: Ranked #2 in Canada just ahead of the subject venue; comparable public convention center with waterfront location. Targets the same international association and corporate event organizers across North America.
- Palais des congrès de Montréal: Montreal's public convention center and Quebec's #1 destination, hosting comparable large-scale international congresses, trade shows, and exhibitions. Operates as a Société under Quebec jurisdiction — structurally almost identical to the subject, with overlapping customer base of association and corporate event organizers.
Regional players
- Edmonton Convention Centre (Citadel Centre): Canadian convention center serving the Alberta market. Comparable scale and service offering (venue rental, F&B, AV) but focused on a different geographic market, making it an indirect competitor for Western Canadian and international association events.
- Ottawa Convention Centre (Shaw Centre): Canadian convention center serving the national capital market, comparable in scale and offering full event services. Competes for association congresses that might otherwise be routed through Quebec City.
- Calgary TELUS Convention Centre: Canadian convention center serving the Alberta market with comparable venue rental, F&B, and AV services. Targets a similar mix of association conferences and trade shows but in a different regional market.
Emerging players
- Palais des congrès de Lyon (Lyon Convention Centre): French regional convention center comparable in scale and function to the subject. Notably a peer to the Centre's European partners (Rennes, Nantes), and competes in the broader European association congress circuit.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Centre des congrès de Québec social profiles
Digital presenceCentre des congrès de Québec compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Centre des congrès de Québec financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Centre des congrès de Québec leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Centre des congrès de Québec funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Centre des congrès de Québec M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Centre des congrès de Québec
What does Centre des congrès de Québec do?
Centre des congrès de Québec operates a convention centre in Quebec City providing meeting rooms, ballrooms, and exhibition halls (including Exhibit Hall 400 ABC and Salon YQB) for conferences, conventions, trade shows, and corporate events. It packages venue space with ancillary event services such as food and beverage (operated in partnership with Capital HRS), audiovisual, internet connectivity, security/staffing, and sustainability-focused event support, and runs an ambassador program (Cercle des ambassadeurs) to attract international events.
Is Centre des congrès de Québec a public or private company?
Centre des congrès de Québec is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Centre des congrès de Québec founded?
Centre des congrès de Québec was founded in 1996. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Centre des congrès de Québec based?
Centre des congrès de Québec is headquartered in Québec, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Centre des congrès de Québec make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Venue Rental is the primary driver. The others are food and Beverage Services, audiovisual Services and additional Event Services.
Who are Centre des congrès de Québec's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Palais des congrès de Paris and Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC). Cité des congrès de Nantes is listed as an others. Direct peers are Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Vancouver Convention Centre and Palais des congrès de Montréal. Regional players are Edmonton Convention Centre (Citadel Centre), Ottawa Convention Centre (Shaw Centre) and Calgary TELUS Convention Centre. Palais des congrès de Lyon (Lyon Convention Centre) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Centre des congrès de Québec have an API?
No public API is recorded for Centre des congrès de Québec.
What industry is Centre des congrès de Québec in?
Centre des congrès de Québec's product category is Convention and Event Venue Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHAAAA, Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers), with a secondary code of THAHAAAB, Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues. Its NAICS code is 71131 and its SIC code is 7900.