Women in business Emmanuelle Legault: Breaking a glass ceiling in a crisis industry

Montréal est depuis quelques années la première ville en Amérique pour l’accueil d’évènements internationaux, et c’est beaucoup grâce au Palais des congrès. Mais l’industrie traverse la pire crise de son histoire, tout est à redéfinir. Et c’est à Emmanuelle Legault, première femme à la tête du Palais des congrès de Montréal, que revient la mission de relancer l’institution qui reçoit normalement 1 million de congressistes par année.

You were vice-president of Tourisme Montréal, did you apply to become CEO of the Palais, or have we come to pick you up?

Head hunters and members of the board of directors were doing research and my name is often released because of my experience in the industry, then my knowledge of Montreal and the business community.They also appreciated my skills in marketing and new technologies to promote the palace and the destination.It must also be said that I am a lover of Montreal.I was born there, I have always lived there, except for three years spent in Vancouver.

Before accepting the mandate, did you doubt?Have mentors encouraged you to accept this challenge?

If I had been asked at 20 years if I was going to become CEO of the Palais des Congrès one day, I would have replied that no!That said, I am very proud of what I have accomplished in recent years, and when the opportunity arose, I did not doubt.I am a challenge girl.When a great opportunity arises and I know that I can create value and that the experience will make me grow, I do not hesitate to grasp it.I have never had official mentors, but I have always exchanged a lot with my colleagues and bosses.There are also several women who inspire me, such as Isabelle Hudon [President and head of the BDC management], Sophie Brochu [CEO of Hydro-Québec], Manon Brouillette [Cheffe de l'Opemage and newly CEO of divisionVerizon consumers, American telecommunications giant] and Kamala Harris [vice-president of the United States].

How did you land in the tourism industry?

I studied in communication and advertising.I worked in the food, banking, fashion and advertising industries.I was account manager at Sid Lee, and Tourisme Montréal was my client.I fell in love with this industry.Tourisme Montréal approached me and I made the jump.

What are your priorities at the palace?

The first challenge is to predict the future.You have to project yourself post-pandemic to see what the customer will want and rethink events accordingly.Then there is the challenge of mobilizing employees.They ensure the success of our organization.The palace is doing quite well because it continued to keep certain activities during the crisis, especially digital events.But the fact remains that by leaving this pandemic, everyone is a little tired and wonders where he leaves.We want our employees to feel valued.We need them for the recovery.

After three months in post, do you already have an accomplishment of which you are proud?

There will be a second cohort of event lab which allows organizations to join the palace to offer customers services that are out of the ordinary.We also have a second cohort of the event transformation program where we invite customers to create more added value for their events to encourage people to come and attend there.These initiatives are necessary to foresee the future.