Upcoming Tech Conferences in Montreal (Late 2025)

Startupfest (July 9–11, 2025)

Attendees at Startupfest networking outdoors in Montreal's Old Port. Startupfest is Canada’s original startup conference, now in its 15th edition (the 2025 theme is “Ambition+”) (Source: mtl.org)(Source: mtl.org). It is widely regarded as a must-attend global event where entrepreneurs, investors, large enterprises, and tech veterans converge in Montréal’s Old Port for a unique festival-style experience (Source: mtl.org). Dates & Venue: The 2025 Startupfest takes place July 9–11, 2025 at the Grand Quai of the Port of Montreal, offering panoramic city views and a lively outdoor setting (Source: mtl.org).

Key Themes & Tracks: Startupfest’s content is divided into multiple specialized tracks and competitions. Attendees can enjoy inspirational keynotes, founder “deep-dive” sessions, and various themed fests (Source: startupfest.com)(Source: startupfest.com). Notable sub-events include HardtechFest (for hardware and deep-tech startups) and OceanFest (blue economy and maritime tech), as well as FundFest (investment and venture capital), ImpactFest (social impact startups), IPFest (intellectual property for startups), and a Women in Technology (WiT) Bootcamp (Source: startupfest.com)(Source: startupfest.com). There is also a vibrant Startupfest Village facilitating face-to-face networking (mentor meetings, “Braindate” peer-learning sessions, accelerator zones, etc.), plus pitch competitions with substantial prizes (Source: startupfest.com)(Source: startupfest.com). For example, Startupfest awards a $100k “Best of the Fest” investment prize to one top startup (alongside several other $100k prizes for categories like Women in Tech, Black Entrepreneurs, and more) (Source: startupfest.com)(Source: startupfest.com) – founders pitch on-site for a chance to win funding and in-kind services.

Speakers & Sessions: The 2025 lineup features dozens of expert speakers and mentors from the startup ecosystem. These include prominent investors like Elizabeth Yin (General Partner & Co-Founder, Hustle Fund) and successful founders such as Andrew Filev (Founder & CEO of Zencoder), among many others (Source: startupfest.com)(Source: startupfest.com). The agenda typically mixes keynote talks, fireside chats, hands-on workshops, and startup pitch sessions (Source: startupblink.com)(Source: startupfest.com). In addition, Startupfest hosts dedicated networking events and evening social activities, taking advantage of Montréal’s lively summer festival atmosphere (Source: startupfest.com).

Target Audience: Startupfest is geared toward startup teams, tech entrepreneurs, investors (angels and VCs), accelerators, and corporate innovators looking to connect with emerging companies. People travel from around the world to attend – from first-time founders to seasoned CEOs – making it a rich networking environment (Source: mtl.org). The festival’s casual, high-energy format is designed to spark collaboration and inspiration among attendees in the startup community.

Registration & Info: This is a ticketed event (paid entrance) (Source: mtl.org). Passes can be purchased through the official Startupfest website (Source: mtl.org), with options for full festival passes. (Early-bird pricing and promotional discounts are usually offered; for example, previous editions have offered standard 3-day passes in the several-hundred-dollar range.) More details, including the full agenda and speaker list, are available on the Startupfest site (Source: startupfest.com)(Source: startupblink.com). Hosting/Sponsors: Startupfest is organized by a dedicated Montreal-based team and supported by numerous sponsors and partners in the tech and venture capital community. Major Canadian tech investors, corporates, and accelerators often back the event (providing prize funds, mentorship, etc.), underscoring its importance in the startup ecosystem.

Sources: (Source: mtl.org) (Source: mtl.org)(Source: startupfest.com) (Source: startupfest.com)(Source: startupfest.com) (Source: startupfest.com)

AMCIS 2025 (Aug 14–16, 2025)

The Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS 2025) will be held in Montréal from August 14 to 16, 2025 (Source: aisnet.org). This is a leading academic and industry conference sponsored by the Association for Information Systems (AIS), and 2025 marks the first time AMCIS is hosted in Montreal. Conference Theme: “Intelligent Technologies for a Better Future.” The program will showcase the transformative power of intelligent systems, exploring how information systems and digital technologies can contribute to a sustainable, equitable, and innovative future (Source: aisel.aisnet.org). As the world faces unprecedented challenges, AMCIS 2025 aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on leveraging tech for societal good, inspiring solutions that empower communities in the digital age (Source: aisel.aisnet.org)(Source: aisel.aisnet.org).

Key Tracks & Content: The conference invites researchers, scholars, and practitioners across the globe to share insights and present research on a wide array of IT/IS topics. There are dozens of parallel tracks and mini-conferences covering domains such as artificial intelligence in business, data science and analytics, cybersecurity and privacy, fintech and digital innovation, IT in healthcare, human-computer interaction, and digital transformation in organizations (Source: aisel.aisnet.org)(Source: aisel.aisnet.org). For example, specific tracks include “Cybersecurity, Privacy & Ethics”, “Data Science, Analytics and AI for a Better Future,” “Digital Innovation, Transformation, and Entrepreneurship,” and many others aligned with the overarching theme (Source: aisel.aisnet.org)(Source: aisel.aisnet.org). Workshops, panel discussions, and a doctoral consortium for PhD students will also take place, providing mentoring and networking opportunities for young researchers (Source: aisel.aisnet.org)(Source: aisel.aisnet.org).

Speakers & Sessions: As an academic conference, AMCIS features peer-reviewed paper presentations and interactive sessions rather than celebrity keynotes. However, attendees can expect expert talks and panel discussions led by information systems professors and industry practitioners.The conference typically opens with a plenary session (often a keynote by a prominent scholar or industry leader in the IS field) and may include award ceremonies for outstanding research. In 2025, given the theme, we may see sessions on AI governance, sustainable IT, and the societal impact of emerging tech, reflecting Montreal’s global leadership in AI and digital creativity (Source: aisel.aisnet.org). (Specific speaker lineups will be confirmed closer to the date.)

Target Audience: AMCIS 2025 is aimed at academics, researchers, and IT professionals interested in the latest research on information systems and technology in organizations. University faculty and students (especially from the Americas and worldwide AIS member institutions) form a large portion of attendees, but the content is also relevant to industry practitioners in IT management, data analytics, and digital strategy. Montreal’s selection as host highlights the city’s vibrant tech research community, and local attendees from universities (e.g., HEC Montréal, McGill) and tech companies are expected to participate, making it a valuable industry-academia networking forum (Source: aisel.aisnet.org).

Registration & Venue: Registration is required via the AIS conference portal. The fees vary for academics/professionals vs. students, with early registration discounts available. (As a reference, early full-conference registration is typically around the mid-hundreds of USD for AIS members.) The exact venue in Montreal is to be announced; often such conferences utilize downtown hotel conference centers or university facilities. Attendees can find travel and hotel information on the official AMCIS 2025 website. Hosting Organizations: AMCIS 2025 is organized by the Association for Information Systems and hosted locally by Montreal’s academic community – the conference co-chairs include professors from HEC Montréal and other institutions (Source: aisel.aisnet.org). The event is likely supported by AIS corporate sponsors and Montreal-based partners, given the city’s support for international congresses.

Sources: (Source: aisnet.org) (Source: aisel.aisnet.org)(Source: aisel.aisnet.org)

IJCAI 2025 (Aug 16–22, 2025)

The 34th International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI-25) will bring the world’s AI researchers to Montreal from August 16 to 22, 2025 (Source: 2025.ijcai.org). IJCAI is one of the premier global conferences in AI, dating back to 1969, and serves as an annual gathering of top academics and practitioners in artificial intelligence. Description: IJCAI-2025 in Montreal is billed as “the premier international gathering of researchers in AI” (Source: 2025.ijcai.org). The conference will showcase groundbreaking advancements in AI research, spanning the breadth of subfields from machine learning and neural networks to knowledge representation, robotics, computer vision, natural language processing, multi-agent systems, and beyond. It’s a venue for disseminating cutting-edge research: accepted papers present original, peer-reviewed results that push the state of the art in AI.

Dates & Location: IJCAI 2025 takes place over a full week, August 16–22, 2025, at Montreal’s Palais des congrès (Convention Centre) in the city’s downtown (Source: 2025.ijcai.org)(Source: 2025.ijcai.org). Montreal was chosen for its strong AI ecosystem – the city is home to renowned AI institutes like Mila – and the Palais des congrès offers a large, modern venue for the expected thousands of attendees. (Notably, for those who cannot travel, IJCAI is also planning a post-conference satellite event in Guangzhou, China on Aug 28–31, 2025, to facilitate participation for researchers facing visa difficulties (Source: 2025.ijcai.org), though the main event is in Montreal.)

Program & Tracks: IJCAI’s program is expansive. In addition to the main technical research track, IJCAI 2025 will feature several specialized tracks and programs. For 2025, these include special tracks on AI for Social Good, AI and the Arts/Creativity, Human-Centered AI, and AI Enabling Critical Technologies, as well as a Survey Track for literature reviews (Source: 2025.ijcai.org). The conference also hosts workshops, tutorials, competitions, and an early-career Researcher (doctoral consortium) (Source: 2025.ijcai.org)(Source: 2025.ijcai.org). An Art Gallery track will showcase AI-related artistic and creative works, reflecting the intersection of AI with creativity (Source: 2025.ijcai.org). Multiple challenges and competitions (e.g. AI competitions, hackathons) are typically held to spur innovation in specific problem areas (Source: 2025.ijcai.org). All told, attendees can choose from a rich schedule of paper presentation sessions, poster sessions, invited talks, panels, and hands-on sessions.

Speakers & Highlights: IJCAI traditionally invites distinguished speakers and Turing Award winners in AI. We can expect keynote talks by leading AI researchers from academia and industry (to be announced as the conference approaches). For example, Montreal’s own deep learning pioneer Yoshua Bengio – a Turing Award laureate – is often involved in such events, and the conference may feature award lectures such as the IJCAI John McCarthy Award talk (in 2025, the award winner is Prof. Cynthia Rudin of Duke University, recognized for contributions to interpretable AI). The conference will also likely include a panel on the future of AI and sessions discussing the societal impacts and ethical implications of AI, given the growing importance of these topics. A formal opening reception and a conference banquet are planned as networking highlights for attendees (Source: 2025.ijcai.org).

Target Audience: IJCAI is aimed at AI researchers, scientists, and students, but it also attracts R&D leaders from industry and government who want to stay at the forefront of AI advances. Given Montreal’s thriving AI sector, many local AI practitioners and data scientists will also attend. For professionals in fields like data science or software engineering, IJCAI offers a chance to glimpse bleeding-edge AI research and network with experts from around the world. The conference environment is academic in nature – technical paper sessions – but entrepreneurs and industry innovators often participate to scout new ideas and talent.

Registration & Tickets: Interested attendees must register via the IJCAI-25 website. Pricing: Registration fees are on the higher end due to the conference’s size and scope. For 2025, early-bird full registration (for a regular delegate) is listed at US$925, with late registration rising to ~$1,025 and on-site registration $1,325 (Source: 2025.ijcai.org). Discounted rates are available for students (early student rate around US$385) (Source: 2025.ijcai.org). One-day passes are offered as well – for example, an early one-day registration for a regular attendee is about US$280 (US$175 for students) (Source: 2025.ijcai.org). These fees typically include access to all sessions, the opening reception, and conference banquet for full registrants (Source: 2025.ijcai.org). (Note: Authors of accepted papers are required to register and present in person.) Registration opened in April 2025 and the early registration deadline is June 15, 2025 (Source: 2025.ijcai.org).

Organizers and Sponsors: IJCAI 2025 is organized by the International Joint Conferences on AI Organization (IJCAI), with a local arrangements committee in Montreal. The General Conference Chair is Shlomo Zilberstein (UMass Amherst), and the Local Arrangements Chair is Prof. Gilles Pesant of Polytechnique Montréal (Source: 2025.ijcai.org), reflecting local institutional support. Major tech companies and research labs often sponsor IJCAI (in past years, sponsors have included tech giants and AI startups who set up booths in the exhibition area). The conference website lists sponsorship opportunities and will publish a list of sponsors closer to the date (Source: 2025.ijcai.org)(Source: 2025.ijcai.org). More information, including the detailed program and travel tips, can be found on the official IJCAI-25 website (Source: 2025.ijcai.org)(Source: 2025.ijcai.org).

Sources: (Source: 2025.ijcai.org) (Source: 2025.ijcai.org)(Source: 2025.ijcai.org) (Source: 2025.ijcai.org)

ALL IN 2025 (Sept 24–25, 2025)

ALL IN 2025 is a pan-Canadian AI industry summit set for September 24–25, 2025 in Montréal (Source: montrealinternational.com). Launched just a few years ago, ALL IN has quickly become “the ultimate gathering for AI professionals and enthusiasts” in Canada (Source: montrealinternational.com). It brings together startups, tech companies, researchers, and decision-makers to explore the latest advancements and strategic challenges in artificial intelligence, with a focus on building bridges between research and real-world business innovation (Source: montrealinternational.com). The vision for 2025 is centered on “Building an AI-Powered Economy”, reflecting a bold ambition to position Canada at the forefront of AI-driven economic transformation (Source: allinevent.ai).

Themes & Program: Over two days, ALL IN features a rich program of keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and demos. Expect inspiring keynotes by international AI experts, hands-on workshops showcasing cutting-edge AI solutions, live demonstrations of new technologies (from AI software platforms to robotics), and discussions tackling the ethical, economic, and societal impacts of AI (Source: montrealinternational.com). Networking is a big component: the event facilitates meetings between startups and industry leaders to spark collaborations (Source: montrealinternational.com). In 2024’s edition, for example, over 4,000 participants from 40+ countries attended, underscoring the event’s scale (Source: allinevent.ai). The 2025 edition aims to build on this momentum, uniting key players around the goal of accelerating AI adoption across sectors (Source: allinevent.ai). The content tracks likely cover AI applications in various industries (finance, healthcare, manufacturing, etc.), as well as discussions on AI policy, talent development, and responsible AI, given the emphasis on “AI-powered economy” and broad participation.

Speakers & Highlights: ALL IN features high-profile speakers from Canada’s AI ecosystem and abroad. Previous editions have included AI luminaries like Yoshua Bengio (MILA scientific director and Turing Award winner) (Source: allinevent.ai), as well as industry leaders such as Sasha Luccioni (Climate AI lead at Hugging Face) and Pamela Snively (Chief Data & Trust Officer at TELUS) (Source: allinevent.ai)(Source: allinevent.ai), among others. We can anticipate a similar caliber of speakers in 2025: top AI researchers, CEOs of AI startups, and executives implementing AI in large enterprises. The summit often has an opening keynote by a notable AI pioneer and may include government representatives highlighting national AI strategies. In addition to talks, ALL IN hosts an expo hall where sponsors and startups showcase AI products, and plenty of networking breaks. The tone is forward-looking and solution-oriented – e.g., how to leverage AI’s potential in various industries and how to scale AI innovations from lab to market (Source: montrealinternational.com).

Target Audience: This conference is designed for AI professionals across the board – from C-level executives and innovation managers seeking to implement AI, to data scientists, AI engineers, and startup founders looking to showcase or learn about new tech. It’s also attended by policymakers and academics interested in industry partnerships. In short, if you are an AI enthusiast or decision-maker in tech, ALL IN is an essential event. Montréal International (the economic development agency) describes it as an opportunity to “understand, anticipate, and leverage AI’s potential in your industry” – whether you’re hunting for innovations, practical solutions, or business opportunities in AI (Source: montrealinternational.com).

Registration & Tickets: Attendees can register via the official ALL IN website. Ticket options typically include a full 2-day in-person pass (which in prior years was around C$ Thousand-level pricing for the entire event) and possibly a virtual access pass for those who wish to join online. For reference, the 2023 event’s in-person pass was about $1,000 and provided full access to all content and networking platforms (Source: allinevent.ai), while a virtual streaming pass was around $300 (Source: allinevent.ai). Early pre-sale discounts for 2024 were around $600 (Source: allinevent.ai), indicating that 2025 pricing will likely be in a similar range. (Exact 2025 prices will be published on the ALL IN ticket page; group and academic/government rates may be available.) It’s advisable to secure tickets early, as the 2023 edition reportedly sold out. The venue is expected to be Palais des congrès de Montréal (the city’s main convention center), which can accommodate the large scale of this event and is convenient for international travelers.

Organizers and Sponsors: ALL IN is a collaborative effort driven by Montreal’s AI community. It is championed by organizations like Scale AI (Canada’s AI Supercluster) – indeed, Scale AI lists ALL IN 2025 as one of its flagship events (Source: scaleai.ca) – and CEIMIA (International Centre of Expertise in Montréal for AI), in partnership with government agencies (Montreal International, Investissement Québec) and industry partners. The event’s partners/sponsors span major tech companies and financial institutions investing in AI. For example, Air Canada was a travel partner for 2024, and several Canadian banks, consulting firms, and AI startups have sponsored past editions. ALL IN 2025 will be supported by these sponsors and exhibitors, and their contributions help fund networking receptions and tech demos. The official event website (Source: montrealinternational.com) and Montreal International’s event page provide links to program details and the list of partners. Overall, ALL IN serves as a showcase of Canada’s national AI strategy, with Montreal – one of the world’s AI hubs – as the perfect host city.

Sources: (Source: montrealinternational.com) (Source: allinevent.ai)(Source: montrealinternational.com) (Source: allinevent.ai)

Canada FinTech Forum 2025 (Sept 22–23, 2025)

The Canada FinTech Forum is the country’s flagship conference for financial technology, and the 2025 edition will be held in Montreal on September 22–23, 2025 (Source: forumfintechcanada.com). This event, now in its 12th edition, is a landmark international gathering for the fintech sector. Its mission is to showcase emerging trends and innovations in financial technology, from digital banking and payments to blockchain, AI in finance, and cybersecurity in fintech (Source: forumfintechcanada.com). It also serves to facilitate networking and collaboration among financial institutions, technology providers, start-ups, and other key players in financial services (Source: forumfintechcanada.com). The forum thereby contributes to the visibility of Canada’s fintech talent on the world stage.

Dates & Venue: Sept 22–23, 2025, at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montréal (Source: forumfintechcanada.com). The Queen Elizabeth, a major downtown conference hotel, will host two packed days of sessions. The event is an initiative of Finance Montréal (the city’s financial sector development organization) and is presented by a lead sponsor (in 2025, likely a prominent financial institution or fintech company) (Source: forumfintechcanada.com)(Source: forumfintechcanada.com). As an international forum, it attracts attendees from across Canada and abroad, especially given Montreal’s status as a fintech hub in Quebec.

Key Themes & Tracks: The 2025 FinTech Forum is organized around two theme days (Source: forumfintechcanada.com). Day 1: “Embedded & Open Finance.” This will delve into how financial services are increasingly integrated into other platforms and ecosystems – topics like open banking APIs, Banking-as-a-Service, fintech partnerships with non-bank platforms, and new models of embedded payments and lending will be discussed. Day 2: “AI & Enterprise Infrastructure.” This track focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence and the backbone of financial institutions – expect discussions on AI for risk management, fraud detection, wealth management robo-advisors, and the modernization of banks’ IT infrastructure (cloud, DevOps, cybersecurity) using AI and data analytics (Source: forumfintechcanada.com). Across these tracks, there will be breakout sessions and panels on sub-topics like digital identity and privacy, fintech regulation, decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain innovations, and the future of payments. In addition, the Forum usually features a startup pitch competition or demo sessions, highlighting rising Canadian fintech startups. The agenda is likely to include both high-level strategic panels and technical sessions for practitioners.

Speakers & Featured Sessions: While the full speaker lineup for 2025 is to be announced (the official site indicates “Speakers available soon” (Source: forumfintechcanada.com)), the conference traditionally attracts a mix of C-suite executives, thought leaders, and innovators in finance and tech. We can anticipate CEOs of leading fintech startups, innovation leads from major banks and insurers, venture capital investors, and experts in areas like cybersecurity or AI in finance. Past keynote speakers have included bank CEOs and renowned fintech futurists. For 2025, given the AI theme, a featured speaker might be a prominent AI entrepreneur or an author in fintech innovation. The Forum’s format usually includes keynote addresses in the mornings, multiple panel discussions, and afternoon breakout streams for specific themes. For example, one panel may explore “Open Banking and the API Economy” with bank executives and fintech founders, while another might cover “Leveraging AI responsibly in Financial Services.” There is also typically an expo floor or networking lounge where sponsors and fintech companies have booths for demos.

Target Audience: This conference targets professionals in the financial and tech industries. That includes: executives from banks, credit unions, and insurance companies (strategy, IT, innovation departments), fintech startup founders and teams, investors (VCs, angels interested in fintech), regulators and policy experts, and technology providers (from big software firms to niche solution vendors). It’s also attended by consultants, academics, and government representatives focused on finance and innovation. In short, anyone involved in the fintech ecosystem – whether at a startup or an established institution – will find valuable content and networking at Canada FinTech Forum (Source: forumfintechcanada.com). The event fosters B2B collaboration, so startups often come to meet potential bank partners or investors, and financial incumbents come to scout new tech and talent.

Registration & Tickets: Registration is handled online via the Forum’s official site (with ticketing through a platform like Weezevent) (Source: forumfintechcanada.com). Various passes are usually available: standard delegate passes, possibly discounted rates for startups or students, and sponsorship packages that include multiple tickets. Pricing for the 2025 Forum hasn’t been published yet at the time of writing; however, the event is a paid conference and in past years a full pass could be on the order of a few hundred Canadian dollars. (Finance Montréal members or early registrants sometimes get special rates.) Attendees can check the Forum FinTech Canada website for details on registration fees and to secure tickets once sales open.

Hosting & Sponsors: The Canada FinTech Forum is organized by Finance Montréal’s FinTech Station – a fintech hub initiative in Montreal – and is described as “a Finance Montréal initiative” (Source: forumfintechcanada.com)(Source: forumfintechcanada.com). The Forum is presented by key sponsors; in 2025, we see the logo of Portag3 (Portage Ventures) as a presenting sponsor (Source: forumfintechcanada.com), indicating support from major fintech investors. Other sponsors typically include big Canadian banks (RBC, Desjardins, etc.), consulting firms, and tech companies providing financial solutions. These sponsors often host sessions or have exhibit booths. Supporting organizations include the Canadian government and Quebec government (who often support fintech development). The 2025 forum will also leverage Montreal’s FinTech Station facility and network for year-round programming (Source: forumfintechcanada.com), and attendees coming from out of town can avail special rates at the venue hotel (the Fairmont) as noted by the organizers (Source: forumfintechcanada.com). More information and the evolving agenda can be found on the official event site and Finance Montréal’s channels.

Sources: (Source: forumfintechcanada.com) (Source: forumfintechcanada.com)(Source: forumfintechcanada.com)

MTL connect: Montreal Digital Week (Oct 28–31, 2025)

Digital art installations and tech showcases are part of MTL connect’s blend of technology and culture. MTL connect: Montréal Digital Week 2025 is an international tech event running October 28–31, 2025 in Montreal, focusing on digital transformation in all aspects of society (Source: mtl.org). Now in its 7th edition, MTL connect is organized by the non-profit Montréal Digital Spring (Printemps numérique) and is dedicated to “seizing the opportunities of the digital revolution.” (Source: mtl.org)(Source: mtl.org) The event brings together a broad spectrum of participants – industry players, entrepreneurs, researchers, public sector leaders, creatives and artists – to discuss not only technology trends, but also the social, economic, and cultural impacts of the ongoing digital revolution (Source: mtl.org). Unlike a traditional single-track conference, MTL connect is more like a multi-disciplinary tech festival spread across venues, and it coincides with an arts and culture focus that gives it a unique flavor compared to purely business conferences.

Themes & Topics: The main theme for 2025 is framed as “evolutions?” (i.e., Revolutions) – examining how digital innovation can be revolutionary in various domains (Source: mtlconnecte.ca). The content is organized into several topic hubs reflecting current technology frontiers and their intersection with society. For 2025, the featured topics include: Artificial Intelligence, Culture & Creativity in the digital age, Cybersecurity & Digital Identity, and Territories & Humanities (exploring digital’s role in urban life and human factors) (Source: mtlconnecte.ca)(Source: mtlconnecte.ca). In practice, this means attendees can dive into sub-conferences or tracks on things like AI ethics and applications, the creative industries (gaming, multimedia, digital art), cyber governance and online privacy, smart cities and civic tech, etc. MTL connect’s program is rich and varied: it includes conferences and panels, workshops, B2B meetings and a recruitment fair, an innovation showcase called “Vitrine MTL connect” where companies with tech solutions meet those with digital needs, the MTL Tech Awards (an international innovation contest), sector-specific meetups highlighting Quebec’s tech ecosystem, networking “moments,” and even off-site tech-cultural tours around Montreal (Source: mtlconnecte.ca)(Source: mtlconnecte.ca). In essence, MTL connect is a week-long immersion into how technology is transforming multiple sectors, with a strong emphasis on networking and experiential learning.

Speakers & Sessions: True to its interdisciplinary spirit, MTL connect features an eclectic mix of speakers: tech industry leaders, academic experts, artists, policymakers, and community organizers. Notable figures have participated in past editions, underscoring the event’s caliber – for example, deep learning pioneer Yoshua Bengio (MILA) has been involved (Source: mtlconnecte.ca), and Audrey Tang, the Digital Minister of Taiwan known for civic tech innovation, was featured as a speaker. The 2025 speaker lineup will likely include global and local experts across the chosen themes (expect AI researchers, cybersecurity experts, digital artists, and digital policy thinkers). Sessions range from formal panel discussions and TED-style talks to interactive workshops and collaborative labs. Because one of the goals is networking and collaboration, sessions often encourage dialogue – e.g., roundtables or Q&As where the audience can engage. Additionally, the presence of a “Country in the Spotlight” is a tradition: for 2025, The Kingdom of Morocco is the Guest of Honour (Source: mtlconnecte.ca), meaning there will be a focus on Morocco’s digital innovations and delegations of startups and officials from Morocco sharing their perspective. This international exchange aspect adds diversity to the content. Cultural events (like tech-art exhibitions or evening creative performances) are also part of the week, underlining the blend of technology with art and society that MTL connect champions.

Target Audience: MTL connect intentionally casts a wide net – its target audience includes tech professionals (developers, IT architects, digital strategists), business and government leaders navigating digital transformation, startup founders and investors, as well as creatives, designers, and researchers interested in how technology intersects with culture. It’s also open to students and the general public interested in the future of tech. Essentially, anyone who wants to understand and shape the digital transformation (be it in industry, education, healthcare, the arts, smart cities, etc.) will find relevant content (Source: mtl.org). The event’s inclusive programming (with some public-facing exhibits and networking mixers) fosters connections between sectors – for instance, a software developer might end up in a discussion with a digital artist or a city planner. This aligns with the organizer’s goal of breaking silos and sparking interdisciplinary collaboration in the digital realm.

Registration & Tickets: Participation in MTL connect requires registration, and there are various ticket options to accommodate different attendees. One can purchase full-week passes or day passes for specific days/themes. In 2025, the event is hybrid, offering both in-person access (primarily at the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT) in downtown Montreal, the main venue (Source: mtl.org)) and online content access. According to the ticketing info, a one-day in-person pass is approximately C$199 (early-bird) and grants access to that day’s conferences and the online platform, while full-event passes and student discounts are available (Source: ti.to). (Pricing is subject to change; early registration by summer 2025 is recommended for discounts.) Some parts of the Digital Week, like certain art installations or community events, may be open to the public for free, but the core conference and networking sessions are ticketed. Registration can be done via the official MTL connect website, which provides options in multiple languages (French/English).

Organizers & Partners: MTL connect is produced by Printemps numérique (Digital Spring), a Montreal-based nonprofit that promotes digital innovation and culture (Source: mtl.org). The event is supported by a wide array of partners and sponsors: government agencies (the City of Montreal and Quebec ministries often support it), international partners (as evidenced by collaborations with Brussels, Wallonia, etc., in past editions (Source: mtlconnecte.ca)), academic institutions, and private sector sponsors (tech companies, local startups, and media outlets). The “Country in the Spotlight” (Morocco in 2025) will bring its own partners like Moroccan tech hubs or government agencies into the fold (Source: mtlconnecte.ca). The partners list for 2025 includes organizations like Hub Brussels, Wallonie-Bruxelles International, and media like Le Monde, illustrating the global connections. Such sponsorship and collaboration not only provide financial backing but also content (e.g., special sessions hosted by partners, or delegations such as the 22 international delegations and 365 delegates that took part in 2024 (Source: mtlconnecte.ca)). In summary, MTL connect is a wide-ranging showcase of digital innovation, made possible by Montreal’s vibrant tech community and its international friends, aiming to position Montreal as a nexus of digital creativity and thought leadership each year during the fall Digital Week.

Sources: (Source: mtl.org) (Source: mtl.org)(Source: mtlconnecte.ca)