Enzyme Engineering XXIX: Bridging Fundamental Discovery and Industrial Deployment
Venue Information
Montréal, Canada: An Overview
A striking union of European charm and North American attitude, Montréal seduces visitors with a harmonious pairing of the historic and the new and from exquisite architecture to fine dining.
Because of its position in the St. Lawrence River, the island of Montréal was originally a diplomatic trading area for regional First Nations: Atikamekw, Algonquin, Mohawk, and Iroquois. This strategic location and fertile soil made Montréal desirable. Before it became a bustling port city, travelers from all over arrived on its shores. The French colonists were the first to arrive, followed by the English, the Scottish and the Irish. Today, 120 distinct ethnic communities are represented in its population of more than 3.6 million, making Montréal a veritable mosaic of cultures and traditions. The world’s second largest francophone city after Paris, it is truly an international city. A world leader in such industries as aeronautics, information technology and biotechnology, the city has also made significant innovations in medicine, multimedia, the arts and urban planning. UNESCO has designated it as a City of Design. Well known for its superior cuisine, it is not only a gourmet destination but a city of art galleries and boutiques.
It is easy to navigate the city’s streets, vast parks, metro and underground pedestrian network.
Le Westin Hotel Montréal
The conference will take place at the Le Westin Hotel Montréal (Address: 270 Saint-Antoine Quest, Montréal, Quebec H2Y 0A3, Canada; Phone: +1 514-380-3333).
Located in historic and beautiful Old Montréal , the Westin is a combination of old and new: an ultra-contemporary hotel tower fused with three heritage buildings. Old Montréal is a treasure chest for visitors – from the Basilica of Notre Dame to the Bonsecours Market, the design shops, restaurants, and art galleries. The riverside pathways attract cyclists, joggers and strollers. Not to be missed is the modern Grande Roue de Montréal ferriswheel that gives riders an amazing view over this 400 year-old neighborhood.
The hotel has 455 rooms, each with a Westin Heavenly Bed and modern amenities such as internet, laundry service, and room service. The hotel has a concierge, business center, health club, indoor pool and a Whirlpool. In addition, the GaZette Bistro Bar restaurant and lounge celebrates Quebec inspired cuisine (and has take-out service).
Popular Activities in Montréal
The following is a list of a few of the most popular things that visitors to Montréal enjoy:
Climbing Mount Royal (the lookout)
Designed by Frederick Law Omsted (who also designed Central Park in New York), the “mountain” park at the heart of the city is the city’s most iconic landmark. The viewpoint is reached by a set of stairs.
Old Montréal
A visit to Montréal is not complete without meandering through the cobblestone streets of the city’s old district. With juxtaposed architecture dating back as far as 1685, visitors have the opportunity to see how the city first began developing. A must-see stop is the Notre-=Dame Basilica for a glimpse at the incredible stained-glass art. Place Jacques-Cartier is a perfect spot to watch street performers and portrait artists from one of the many terraces.
The Underground
Montréal contains a vast network of pedestrian walkways – 32 kilometers – of connecting passageways beneath street level. During the winter months Montréalers and visitors circulate this network to connect with offices, trains, shops and restaurants. It is referred to as RESO (“network” in French), it connects with the convention center, some hotels, and the main shopping center, Centre Eaton de Montréal.
Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA)
One of the most important art institutions in North America is the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA). The multiple rooms contain paintings, sculpture, graphic art, photography and decorative art objects. For a more modern approach, visit Canada’s leading museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary art. The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) features a permanent collection but features numerous spectacular multimedia events.
Saint Joseph’s Oratory
This stunning church is one of the most popular catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. It is home to a magnificent Rudolf von Beckerath organ, which is ranked among the ten most prestigious in the world. The huge dome reaches 97 meters making it equal in height to Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Transportation
The hotel is located thirteen miles from the Montréal -Trudeau International Airport (YUL). The cheapest way to get to the hotel is by taking the line 747 bus, which costs approximately CDN $4.00 and takes about 38 minutes. A taxi or Uber will take approximately 20 minutes but costs between CDN $50 and CDN $65. Air Canada is headquartered in Montréal and the airport is a seamless hub for European, Asian and African destinations.
Ride-sharing options include Eva was which was launched by University students looking to create a cooperative model to transport passengers. The Mozio airport transport system is also offered at YUL, and like other rideshare programs such as Uber, all meet their passengers at the official pick-up areas at either Door 20 on the arrivals level or Door 6 of the departures level on the second floor.