ANeighbourhoodforLearning,GrowingandStayingInformed

Specifically for entrepreneurs 

Often alone in making decisions regardless of the size of their team, entrepreneurs would do well to join these upcoming events at the Palais des congrès that can serve as key spaces for stepping back, finding inspiration and building lasting connections:

• March 31 brings the Business Succession Summit for those who are considering that avenue in their entrepreneurial journey.
• April 1 is E.S.T.A Day (Entrepreneurship from Every Angle), where 5 finalists will make their pitch on stage for a chance to win a $20,000 investment.
• April 11–12, The Franchise Expo takes the stage.
• April 22–23, the Job and Continuing Education Fair brings together employers, job seekers and training organizations.

More languages, more opportunities

In a neighbourhood with a decidedly international bent, language proficiency remains a crucial asset. Beyond automated translation tools, learning a language also means gaining access to a culture, a way of thinking, and a set of relational codes that open up entirely new professional horizons.

Is your English where you'd like it to be? Looking to sharpen your French? Developing your language fluency not only broadens your markets, but also refines your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and overall adaptability.

Right in the heart of the historic district, BLI Montréal offers a variety of learning formats tailored to your linguistic level and goals.

Building communication skills

The SDC Vieux-Montréal continues to make available the masterclass series it organized last spring, designed for entrepreneurs and business managers across various sectors looking to deepen their knowledge on a wide range of subjects. From social media management and press releases to leadership and SEO, the videos from the Professional Development Program allow you to learn at your own pace while staying grounded in the realities of the local business environment.

Conferences: history and culture in the spotlight

Learning also means nourishing your general knowledge and broadening your perspective on the world. In a neighbourhood as historically rich as Old Montreal, lectures and conferences offer exceptional opportunities to deepen your understanding while drawing on fresh sources of inspiration.

On April 8 at 1:00 p.m., Château Ramezay, in partnership with the U.S. Consulate, is hosting a conference (in English) marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, presented by Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, President and CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. This activity is included with museum admission (or free for Friends of the Museum), upon reservation. Conference sold out.

On April 23 at 7:00 p.m., celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Montreal Olympics and "rediscover some lesser-known aspects of this event" — the atmosphere of the games and the legacy that followed — with post-doctoral researcher and specialist Florent Lefevre. Admission is $10, or $6 for museum members. The 60-minute conference will be followed by a 15-minute Q&A.

On April 25 at 2:00 p.m., the 20th Century Commemoration of the Founding of Montréal takes centre stage! Pointe-à-Callière and the Société historique de Montréal cordially invite you to "learn how the narrative of the founding of Montréal has been constructed over time." Free for members of the Société historique de Montréal, $5 for non-members — no reservation required. Lecture given in French.

The Marguerite-Bourgeoys Historic Site is launching an immersive new audio description tour, "Voyage au cœur de la chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours," accessible via a dedicated app and developed in collaboration with Technoleads. This initiative invites visitors to discover the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel — the oldest stone chapel in Montreal, rebuilt in 1771 — through an experience that is at once sensory, inclusive and deeply enriching. By making this tour a permanent offering, the Site is positioning itself among the first institutions in Quebec to offer such an approach, bringing the history, art and atmosphere of this Old Montreal landmark within reach of a wider audience.

Artistic skills, creativity and the joy of making

Old Montreal also provides fertile ground for exploring your creativity, honing new skills and slowing things down — dimensions that are essential to both personal balance and long-term performance. And since the benefits of arts and crafts on concentration, cognitive flexibility and stress management speak for themselves, here are a few establishments in the historic district worth knowing about:

• Pottery: The Bonsecours Ceramics Centre is a true Old Montreal institution, known for its courses, workshops and commitment to making the art of ceramics accessible at every level.
• Drawing: Studio Brésoles is an ideal setting for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike, with accessible classes and an approach rooted in exploration and creative expression.
• Art: Centre Phi is offering hands-on creative sessions in which you are invited to "join the artists Andrea Williamson and Nina Pariser in a workshop exploring and creating connections with locally extirpated species."
• Yoga: Luna Yoga offers dedicated practitioners a teacher training program once a year, in addition to weekend intensives for those looking to deepen their practice on their own terms.
• Cinema: A new film and discussion series, Ciné-rencontres, is coming to life in Old Montreal, brought to you by Ciné-Quartier and the Alliance française de Montréal. Held monthly at 317 Place D'Youville, the screenings put the spotlight squarely on contemporary cinema. The program continues with Amour Apocalypse by Anne Émond on April 22, followed by Montreal, My Beautiful by Xiaodan He on May 27.

Through this rich and varied range of initiatives, entrepreneurial, cultural and creative alike, Old Montreal reaffirms its role as a true ecosystem for learning and inspiration. A place where people come not only to develop their skills, but to feed their curiosity, forge meaningful connections and imagine what the future holds.