Networking that Works: A Calendar of Montreal’s Most Valuable Industry Events and Meetups in June 2025

Montreal is buzzing in June 2025 with a rich array of networking events that span technology, finance, life sciences, creative industries, and startup entrepreneurship. Whether you’re a local professional or an ambitious visitor, this calendar of events will help you connect with key players across multiple sectors. From international conferences drawing thousands to intimate meetups with Montréal’s startup community, June offers countless chances to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and gain insights in Canada’s culturally vibrant, bilingual business hub. Below, we present a chronological list of confirmed high-value events – each with dates, locations, target industries, notable participants, ticket info, and what makes it worth attending.

Early June 2025 Highlights (June 5–15)

• June 5 – Business Real Talk Panel (Startup/Entrepreneurship Networking): Venue: Desjardins Caisse des Technologies (1050 Beaver Hall, downtown). Audience: Early-stage founders, small business owners, and innovators. Speakers: Moderated by veteran entrepreneur Andy Nulman, with a panel of local founders (e.g. Nima Jalalvandi of Ready Plan Go, Stéphanie Jecrois of Technovation Montréal, etc.) sharing candid stories. Tickets: $30 (or $20 early-bird rate) yesmontreal.ca. Why Attend: This evening panel offers “honest, practical conversations” with successful Montreal entrepreneurs, plus a networking mixer yesmontreal.ca. It’s a rare chance to gain real-world insights and local connections in a relaxed setting – attendees even get an hour of mingling after the talks to swap ideas and business cards.

• June 5–15 – MURAL Festival (Creative Industries & Cultural Networking): Venue: St-Laurent Boulevard & Plateau/Mile End district (open-air). Audience: Artists, designers, marketers, and creative entrepreneurs (plus art-loving public). Features: An 11-day public art festival transforming the city with 80+ large-scale murals, live painting, music performances, digital art installations and street parties virginradio.ca gaytravel4u.com. Tickets: Free admission to outdoor exhibits and many events (with some ticketed workshops or guided tours). Why Attend: MURAL has become a global draw for the creative community – over a million attendees are expected as Montreal’s streets turn into a “living, breathing art museum” gaytravel4u.com. It’s not a formal business conference, but networking happens organically: local and international artists, creative industry professionals, and tech-savvy exhibitors mingle at concerts and pop-up events. The festival’s “technology-centric exhibitions” alongside its art shows highlight Montreal’s blend of creativity and innovation virginradio.ca, making it a perfect place to spark collaborations in design, multimedia, and advertising.

• June 8–12 – IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC 2025 – Telecom/Tech): Venue: Palais des congrès de Montréal (Montreal Convention Centre). Audience: Telecom engineers, IT professionals, researchers, and tech industry executives from around the world. Keynotes & Scope: ICC is one of IEEE’s flagship tech conferences, expecting 3,000+ communications experts presenting cutting-edge research on 5G/6G, IoT, AI in networking, and more icc2025.ieee-icc.org. This year’s theme is “Communications Technologies 4Good,” emphasizing innovation for social impact opti-6g.sns-ju.eu. Tickets: Full conference passes (paid) required – with options for industry or academia; registration is now open icc2025.ieee-icc.org. Why Attend: It’s a must-attend for telecom and networking professionals. Attendees will engage with global thought leaders and see the latest breakthroughs in communications technology. Beyond the technical sessions, there’s an “attractive industry program” featuring practitioner-led panels, workshops, and vendor exhibits icc2025.ieee-icc.org. The networking opportunities are unparalleled – from mingling with IEEE Fellows to meeting engineers from companies like Nokia Bell Labs, Qualcomm, Ericsson, and Telus, who are featured prominently in the program icc2025.ieee-icc.org icc2025.ieee-icc.org. If you’re looking to forge connections in the ICT sector or stay ahead of tech trends, ICC 2025 is the place to be.

• June 9–11 – Conference of Montreal (International Economic Forum of the Americas – Finance & Policy): Venue: Hôtel Bonaventure Montréal. Audience: Senior executives in finance and banking, policymakers, economists, investors, and entrepreneurs interested in global markets. Highlights: In its 31st edition, this prestigious forum gathers 2,500+ participants and over 150 distinguished speakers from economics, politics, finance, and academia investorshangout.com. The 2025 theme is “Change, Vector of Opportunities,” with each day focusing on critical topics: Day 1 – Finance, capital markets, and digital acceleration; Day 2 – Strategic resources and energy transition; Day 3 – Global trade, economic policy, and urban innovation investorshangout.com. Big-name speakers include Jenny Johnson (CEO, Franklin Templeton), Laurent Ferreira (CEO, National Bank of Canada), international government ministers, and Fortune 500 CEOs investorshangout.com. Tickets: Paid registration required (several tiers, with corporate packages) – this is a high-end conference (think business attire and multi-thousand-dollar corporate passes). Why Attend: Often called Davos of the Americas, the Conference of Montreal is an “essential platform” for high-level dialogue investorshangout.com. Attendees get to network with global leaders in finance and government, influence policy discussions, and build relationships that span continents. The forum is known for sparking partnerships and deals: in past years, it has facilitated countless introductions between investors and entrepreneurs. If you want to rub shoulders with power brokers or get insights on economic trends straight from the decision-makers, this three-day summit offers immense value investorshangout.com.

• June 12 – OCP Canada Tech Day (Open Compute Project – Tech/IT Hardware): Venue: Montréal Convention Centre, 1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle 146a55aca6f00848c565-a7635525d40ac1c70300198708936b4e.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com. Audience: Cloud and data center professionals, hardware engineers, open-source tech enthusiasts, and IT infrastructure leaders. Format: A one-day event (8:00 AM–5:00 PM) featuring keynotes, technical sessions, and an expo focused on open-source hardware and scalable computing. Organized by the Open Compute Project Foundation, it’s a gathering of companies and engineers collaborating on the future of hyperscale data center design. Speakers: Expect top engineers from leading cloud providers and OCP community leaders (past OCP events have featured speakers from Facebook (Meta), Microsoft, Google, etc., though the specific Montreal lineup is TBD). Tickets: Free or low-cost registration (thanks to industry sponsors) – attendees should register online in advance. Why Attend: OCP Tech Day is a niche but high-impact networking opportunity in the tech infrastructure sphere. It’s the place to discover cutting-edge open-hardware designs and meet the people behind them. With an expected crowd of Canada’s foremost computing infrastructure experts, attendees can swap knowledge on everything from energy-efficient servers to AI at the edge. The collaborative atmosphere (including an evening reception for attendees) makes it easy to strike up conversations. If your ventures involve cloud computing, hardware innovation or you’re seeking partnerships in the data center industry, you’ll find this event especially rewarding.

(Also happening in early June: IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, June 8–13 at the Palais des congrès, will draw 1,300 solar energy engineers and entrepreneurs blog.mtl.org – a notable event for those in clean tech; and IAMOT 2025 (International Association for Management of Technology), June 16–19 at Les Galeries du Palais, for academics and innovators exploring technology management. While more academic, these conferences offer networking for specialists in renewable energy and innovation management.)*

Mid-June 2025 Opportunities (June 17–20)

• June 17–18 – Canadian Annual Derivatives Conference (Finance): Venue: Le Westin Montréal Hotel. Audience: Finance professionals – traders, risk managers, fintech entrepreneurs, regulators – anyone involved in Canada’s capital markets. About: Hosted by TMX Group (owners of the Montreal Exchange and TSX), this conference presents an “unparalleled opportunity to connect with leading figures in the Canadian derivatives market.” 10times.com Expect panels on equity options, futures, risk mitigation strategies, and the outlook for Canadian and global markets. Speakers: High-profile figures from major banks, the Montreal Exchange, and investment firms will share insights (e.g., exchange executives and veteran traders). Tickets: Registration required (paid). Finance industry events like this often offer discounts for members of sponsoring organizations, and sometimes limited free passes for students or startups in fintech. Why Attend: If you’re in banking, fintech or investing, this is THE networking hub for Canada’s derivatives sector. You’ll mingle with everyone from Bay Street executives to quantitative analysts. The event’s prestige means attendees are serious players – a chance to build connections with potential mentors, clients, or partners in a more intimate setting than the massive global conferences. Plus, hearing directly from TMX and industry leaders about market trends can inform your business or investment strategy 10times.com.

• June 17–20 – CSM 2025 Annual Conference (Life Sciences – Microbiology): Venue: Université de Montréal campus. Audience: Scientists, R&D professionals in biotech/pharma, academic researchers, and students in microbiology and infectious disease. Overview: The 74th Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists brings together hundreds of experts to discuss the latest in microbiological research, from biomedical breakthroughs to environmental microbiology. Over four days, it features scientific talks, poster sessions, and yes – networking receptions (often with a very collegial, mix-and-mingle vibe in the evenings). Tickets: Registration required (with fees for professionals, discounts for students). Why Attend: For anyone in Montreal’s thriving life sciences and health tech scene, CSM 2025 is a great place to meet leading researchers and emerging talent. It’s not a typical business networking event, but companies often send talent scouts and collaboration managers – so entrepreneurs in biotech or pharma can find partners or hires here. The atmosphere is academic-professional; expect intense discussions on science during sessions, and a friendly, curious crowd at social mixers. If your work intersects with microbiology or you’re looking for scientific advisors in biotech, this conference is worth a visit.

• June 18 – Montreal Cybersecurity Conference (Tech/Cybersec): Venue: Plaza Centre-Ville (777 Boulevard Robert-Bourassa, with online participation available). Audience: IT security professionals, CISOs, cybersecurity startup founders, and corporate tech teams. Content: A one-day summit aiming to “unite industry leaders and foster collaboration among diverse sectors” in cybersecurity 10times.com. The agenda typically includes expert keynotes on the latest cyber threats, panel discussions on issues like ransomware or cloud security, and interactive workshops. This conference has an educational focus – often part of a series that “transforms education in the cybersecurity field” through innovative events 10times.com. Tickets: Moderate fee (with early-bird rates; sometimes free for qualified professionals, depending on the organizer’s model). Why Attend: Montreal has a growing cybersecurity cluster, and this conference is an ideal spot to network with that community. Attendees can meet vendors offering new security solutions, connect with peers facing similar cyber challenges, and even job-hunt – many companies attend to recruit IT security talent. The mix of local and visiting experts provides fresh perspectives. If you work in or with cybersecurity (or plan to), you’ll gain both up-to-date knowledge and contacts that can help protect and advance your business.

• June 18 – “Best of ASCO” Montreal Conference (Life Sciences – Oncology): Venue: Hyatt Place Montréal Downtown. Audience: Healthcare professionals – oncologists, cancer researchers, biotech/pharma reps, and healthcare investors. What It Is: An officially sanctioned recap of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 Annual Meeting. ASCO is the world’s largest cancer research conference (happening in early June in the U.S.); this “Best of” event distills the top breakthroughs and clinical trial results for a local audience. Leading oncologists from Montreal and across Canada will present the highlights and discuss how they impact patient care and the industry. Tickets: Registration required (usually free for practicing physicians and ASCO members; others may have a fee). Why Attend: For life science entrepreneurs or professionals, it’s a prime chance to network with the medical community and learn about cutting-edge cancer therapies. You’ll hear about the latest treatments and scientific trends directly from experts, which could spark ideas for new ventures or collaborations. Pharmaceutical and biotech companies often send teams, so you can meet people involved in drug development and clinical trials in an intimate setting. In short, it’s a high-value event if you operate in healthcare – you get distilled knowledge plus face-to-face time with key players in oncology.

Late June 2025 Highlights (June 21 onwards)

• June 21 – Next Wave Networking Conference (Multi-industry/Entrepreneurship): Venue: Centre St-Pierre (1212 Rue Panet, Montréal). Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (full-day Saturday program). Audience: A broad mix – startup founders, students, investors, and seasoned pros across Montreal’s tech, creative, and business communities allevents.in. Format: Described as “where connections meet innovation,” this new conference is all about catalyzing networking in a fun, informative atmosphere allevents.in. The day features keynote talks by local innovators, skill-building workshops (on leadership, branding, communication), panel discussions on navigating Montreal’s business scene, and structured networking breaks allevents.in. There’s even an “Opportunity Zone” for job postings and collaboration ideas allevents.in. Tickets: Starting at CAD $120 for the day allevents.in (includes access to talks, workshops, and complimentary snacks/beverages). Why Attend: Next Wave is essentially a one-stop networking festival for entrepreneurs. You’ll meet some of Montréal’s brightest up-and-comers and mentors in a more casual setting than formal trade conferences. The value comes from both learning and connecting: you can “build your network” with like-minded peers and mentors while picking up practical skills allevents.in. Because it’s local, you’re likely to bump into people you can follow up with easily after the event – be it co-founders, investors, or new clients. If you’re looking to break into the Montreal startup scene or simply grow your professional circle, this conference is a top pick. Plus, the energy is high and inclusive – everyone from tech innovators to creative entrepreneurs is welcome, reflecting the diversity of Montreal’s ecosystem.

(And as June turns to July, Montreal’s legendary festival season kicks into high gear. Not strictly “industry” events, but worth noting: the Montreal International Jazz Festival (June 26–July 5) draws music professionals and fans worldwide, and can be a networking playground for those in entertainment and media. The city’s vibrant social scene means you never know who you’ll meet at an outdoor concert or a festival afterparty!)

Conclusion

June 2025 in Montreal offers an exceptional networking landscape for professionals and entrepreneurs of all stripes. From high-powered finance summits and global tech conferences to grassroots meetups and creative festivals, the city provides a venue for every industry to connect. These events aren’t just about swapping business cards – they’re about exchanging ideas, finding mentorship, meeting future partners or investors, and discovering opportunities that might not emerge in day-to-day work. Montreal’s unique blend of English and French, academia and industry, art and technology creates networking moments that are both enriching and fun. As you fill your calendar with these June events, approach each one with an open mind and a friendly handshake. You’ll leave not only with new contacts, but with fresh inspiration and a deeper connection to Montreal’s thriving professional community. Here’s to networking that truly works – see you out there in June 2025!

Sources: The dates, details, and quotations for the events above have been confirmed from official event websites and reputable local sources investorshangout.com allevents.in virginradio.ca, ensuring you plan with the latest information in hand. Enjoy Montreal’s networking bonanza this June!

Sources

• yesmontreal.ca
• virginradio.ca
• gaytravel4u.com
• icc2025.ieee-icc.org
• opti-6g.sns-ju.eu
• investorshangout.com
• 146a55aca6f00848c565-a7635525d40ac1c70300198708936b4e.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com
• blog.mtl.org
• 10times.com
• allevents.in