40 years, celebrated from up high!

The #MTLGO exposition, the terrace and the PVM observatory floors were filled with project managers, PMI-Montréal employees and volunteers alike, who together contribute to the ongoing success of the chapter. As Benoît Lalonde, President since 2010 noted, “it is with pride tonight that we celebrate the 40th anniversary and pay tribute to all those people who have put in incredible efforts;” efforts that have gained international notoriety when PMI-Montréal was awarded Chapter of the Year in 2016, and remains today, the 4th largest chapter in the world.

PMI-Montréal’s beginnings are humble, and in fact, Montréal’s involvement in the field of project management begun before PMI… Expo’67 was realized using the critical path method to navigate the many aspects of construction with their variable deadlines. This was prior to the founding of PMI-Montréal in 1976, the same year that the Master’s program was created at The Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), which together, solidified a community dedicated to advancing the field. PMI-Montréal received their accreditation the following year, and has since grown into 4,600 members strong, actively working towards the common mission of promoting best practices, continuous learning and striving towards excellence.

That same excellence is what compelled WSP Global, one of the largest professional services firm in the world, with head offices in Montréal, to sponsor this celebratory event. Madame Kateri Normandeau, member of the PMI-Montréal Board of Directors, sponsor of the PMI-Montréal 40th anniversary project shared with us, “tonight is an exceptional evening; it is the 40th anniversary of PMI-Montréal! So to celebrate, share, innovate, be there with our members to highlight all the excellence that is done in project management with our members, it is a great opportunity to highlight the distance traveled as well as the future we want, to continue working together.”

Left to right: Kateri Normandeau, ing. P. Eng. M. Env. PMP, National Strategy & Project Management Vice-President, WSP,  Neil Gore, ing. P. Eng. Project Control Officer (PCO), WSP, Arnaud Budka, ing./P. Eng. Team Manager – Waste Recovery / Business Development Manager, WSP

The floor-to-ceiling view from Place Ville Marie of the sun setting added to the relaxed atmosphere of the evening. Dressed cocktail chic, enjoying the sounds of DJ Doro and the talented harpist M’Michèle, the evening was perfect for networking and conversing with both old colleagues and new acquaintances. A photo booth further heightened the festivities, bringing members and friends together to proudly display cardboard signs that read “I'm not a PMP yet, but soon” and “Happy Birthday PMI-Montréal!”

The music and festivities went on into the night, and culminated with the distribution of the 40th anniversary commemorative book, which innovatively summarizes PMI-Montréal’s history, community impact and prospects for the future!

Louise Fournier, Executive director for PMI-Montréal, “From the whole 40th anniversary committee, the Board of Directors and the staff, thank you for your support and your presence by our sides for these past 40 years.”

To view all the photos from the evening's event, visit our Facebook page.

Thank you to the sponsor of the event, WSP.