Montréal, November 22, 2012 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is proud to pay tribute to five luminaries being inducted into the academy of Great Montrealers this evening at a reception held in their honour.
“For over 30 years, the Board of Trade has been proud to recognize the men and women who serve as examples of commitment and success for the benefit of our city,” says Michel Leblanc, president and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “In addition to this year’s tribute to five new Great Montrealers, the Board of Trade will immortalize the remarkable accomplishments of Great Montrealers of yesterday, today and tomorrow by unveiling a public work this evening, the Constellation of Great Montrealers.”
As part of the closing celebrations for its 190th anniversary, the Board of Trade will unveil this permanent monument that features the names of all members of the academy who have marked the economic, cultural, scientific and social history of Greater Montréal. Installed in the colourful shadow of the large stained glass window at the Palais des congrès facing Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, the Constellation of Great Montrealers will testify to the accomplishments of academy members and allow Montrealers and visitors to get to know the people who have shaped our great city.
This year, the academy has chosen to recognize, in the economic sector, Emanuele (Lino) Saputo, chairman of Saputo and outstanding entrepreneur. From a simple block of cheese on a kitchen table, Mr. Saputo built one of the leading dairy product companies and cheese makers in North America. In the cultural sector, Michal and Renata Hornstein, well-known philanthropists, are honoured for their commitment to the city, notably the donation of their collection of works by old masters to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the largest private modern history donation to Québec museums. Georges Brossard, self-taught entomologist and founder of the Montréal Insectarium, receives the honour in the scientific sector, for making Montréal THE city for entomology. Finally, the recipient of the honour in the social sector is Pierre Legault, CEO of Renaissance Montréal. With great humanity, Mr. Legault pioneered in helping the most disadvantaged become self-sufficient and introduced innovative, effective solutions to Québec.
“The outstanding contribution of people like these exemplary leaders is what makes our city shine here and beyond our borders and what makes us proud to be Montrealers,” Michel Leblanc says.
Since 1978, the academy of Great Montrealers has honoured 123 luminaries, including those honoured this year. To see the photos and presentation notes for the 2012 recipients, click here.
The 2012 Tribute to Great Montrealers reception is made possible through the support of Hydro-Québec, in cooperation with Le Devoir, The Gazette and BMO Financial Group.
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec's leading private economic development organization.
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Source:
Sylvie Paquette
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Phone: 514 871-4000, extension 4015
sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca
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