Leading Communities to Success in the New Global Economy
Bienvenue à Montréal! Welcome to Montréal!
Vist this page frequently during your stay for news articles traditionally included in the daily conference newsletter (see "Latest News" below). Or share your thoughts on this fabulous city and the 95th ICMA Annual Conference and read those of your colleagues on the Montréal Conference blog at http://icmaconference.wordpress.com.
Latest News
Members Discuss Economy with National Media--Yesterday three ICMA members and staff held a 45-minute telephonic media session from the Palais to discuss how local governments are navigating the current fiscal crisis. The event attracted the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Capital News Service, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Central Pennsylvania Business, Salina Journal, American City and County Magazine, and the National Association of Credit Management.
Participants included: Ron Carlee, County Manager, Arlington County, Virginia, and newly-appointed Executive in Resident/Director of Strategic Initiatives at ICMA; Scott Hancock, Executive Director, Maryland Municipal League, Annapolis, Maryland; and Peggy Merriss, City Manager, Decatur, Georgia, and former ICMA President; plus Elizabeth Kellar, Deputy Executive Director, ICMA. Click on http://icma.org/documents/ICMA091509.mp3 to hear the audio of this presentation.
Conference Handouts--As of today, we've received a limited number of educational session handouts. If we've received a handout, it will be posted here, at icma.org/conference_handouts, and the title will be a live link to that handout. You will need to enter your member user ID and password to gain access.
A unique blend of Old-World charm and vibrant, North American energy, Montréal is the exhilarating location for ICMA's 2009 Annual Conference. A study in sustainable urban development, the city offers some of the best of many worlds, including the opportunity to learn, study, and enhance your skills in an international setting.
Montréal is lively, safe, and tres cosmopolitan! As the cultural capital of Québec and the second-largest city in Canada, Montréal is rich in history, art, fine restaurants, and parks. In short, it has something for everyone! During your stay in this amazing city, you'll want to check out the following:
Downtown Downtown Montréal never stops! There’s shopping and culture by day; night-clubbing and entertainment at night! Explore the 20-mile underground city that features 1,700 boutiques, 200 restaurants, and 40 movie theatres and exhibition halls. Get your culture fix at the Museum of Fine Arts, Musee d’art contemporain, the Canadian Centre for Architecture, the Redpath Museum, or the McCord Museum. Or stroll through the Quartier International, which features the spectacular Place Jean-Paul Riopelle, the World Trade Centre, and the ultramodern Palais des congrès, which will serve as home base for the ICMA Annual Conference activities.
Old Montréal Step back in time when you visit Montréal’s historic district, complete with cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and timeless architecture. Marvel at the beauty of Notre-Dame Basilica and its majestic pipe organ, or participate in the Lighting Tour of Old Montréal, which features the majestic City Hall building. You can also browse through fabulous art galleries and local designer boutiques.
Old Port The locals love Montréal’s riverside area, where you can picnic, people-watch, stroll, skate, bike, or just enjoy being outdoors. Treat yourself to a gourmet dinner cruise on the St. Lawrence River. Browse through the secondhand bookstands, or stroll along the dock and climb up the clock tower.
Parc Jean-Drapeau The two man-made islands of Sainte-Hélène and Notre-Dame, located on the St. Lawrence River just minutes from downtown, make up Parc Jean-Drapeau, one of Montréal’s most precious assets. Created for Expo '67, they feature hiking, biking and roller blade paths (on the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, site of the Montreal Grand Prix ), La Ronde amusement park, the Casino de Montreal, the Stewart Museum, and the Biosphere.
Montréal Neighborhoods
Montréal’s distinctive neighborhoods include:
Mount Royal & Surroundings, a taste of the great outdoors in heart of the city
Plateau Mont-Royal, the home of Bohemian chic
Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, home of the Olympic Satudium, Biodôme, and Botanical Garden
Little Italy, where one can eat, drink, and be merry!
The Village, the perfect setting for cruising, schmoozing, and letting it all hang out
Pôle des Rapides, an outdoor mecca for kayaking, bird-watching, biking, in-line skating or just enjoying the view.
ICMA and the 2009 Conference Host Committee appreciate the support of this year's conference contributors, especially Principal Sponsor ICMA-RC, and Diamond Sponsor CIGNA.
ICMA welcomes Governing as the 2009 ICMA Annual Conference Media Partner.
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As you browse the ICMA Annual Conference Web site, check the boxes
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