Assistance program for Festivals, Events and Museum exhibitions

Who is eligible?

This grant is designed for organizations that contribute to the tourism sector in Montreal by organizing festivals, exhibitions, or events that enhance the city's attractiveness and tourism impact. Eligible organizations must meet specific criteria related to their legal status and operational focus.

• Quebec-based legally constituted for-profit or non-profit enterprises.
• Municipal and paramunicipal corporations through tourist attractions.
• Cooperatives (COOPs).
• Promoter consortia.
• The organization's head office must be located in Canada.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain types of organizations due to their status or affiliation with government entities. The restrictions are in place to ensure the grant supports eligible entities in the tourism sector.

• Institutions of education and vocational training.
• Ministries and organizations of the Quebec or Canadian governments (public, parapublic, government agents, crown corporations).
• Organizations that failed to meet obligations related to previous financial aid from Tourisme Montréal within the last year prior to the application.
• Companies registered in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).

Eligible expenses

The eligible expenses for the grant are costs directly linked to the organization and execution of a festival, exhibition, or event.

• Operational, logistical, and site management costs, including labor expenses.
• Programming fees, including fees for artists, athletes, or speakers.
• Costs of products for resale.
• Development of marketing, tourism development, promotion, and commercialization strategies, excluding promotion expenses in the Montreal area.
• Advertising placement fees.
• Costs for personnel involved specifically in international promotion activities.
• Internet-based promotion activities.
• Creation and dissemination of promotional tourism documentation.
• Partnership agreements with tour operators or travel agents outside Quebec.
• Travel and accommodation expenses related to event promotion.
• Costs for organizing receptions, press conferences, or promotional events aimed at media or tourism stakeholders outside Quebec.
• Expenses for hosting journalists, travel agents, and media representatives for publicity purposes outside Quebec.
• Costs for initiatives regarding sustainable development.
• Tourism studies and consulting fees.
• Administrative costs and insurance related to the event, capped at 15% of the total event budget.
• Audited sponsorships in goods and services.
• Net taxes (excluding reimbursed portions) related to eligible expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available for organizations with their headquarters located within Canada. The eligibility is defined by the location of the organization's headquarters to ensure alignment with regional tourism development objectives.

• Organizations with headquarters located anywhere within Canada.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• Tourisme Montréal may offer part of the financial aid in marketing and promotion services instead of a monetary contribution.
• Adherence to the minimum eligibility conditions does not guarantee financial support from Tourisme Montréal.
• For certain categories, three-year agreements are available, excluding first editions.
• Tourisme Montréal reserves the right to grant financial assistance that differs from previous years based on performance analysis.
• A protocol agreement will be established between the selected projects and Tourisme Montréal, outlining the terms of financial aid and obligations of both parties.
• Promoters must acknowledge and agree to the commitments outlined in the financial aid request by submitting a request.
• A 3% provision of complimentary tickets based on contribution is required for some events.
• Annual financial reporting must be completed to receive the full financial aid, which can be distributed in two or three installments.
• If actual data differs from submitted projections, Tourisme Montréal may reduce the financial aid amount.
• The application process for events occurring in the first half of 2025 will open from September 4 to October 2, 2024, with results by the end of the year.
• A follow-up application process is scheduled for January 2025 for events in the second half of the year.