Canada's largest mining convention returns to Montréal, 2–5 May 2027, with technical sessions, short courses and a sold-out expo of 600+ suppliers.
Dates
2–5 May 2027
City / country
Montréal, Canada
Venue
Palais des congrès de Montréal
Time
9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Event overview
CIM CONNECT 2027 is Canada's largest mining convention and exhibition, held 2–5 May 2027 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Organised by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, the week combines expert-led technical sessions, two days of professional-development short courses, main-stage keynotes, the CIM Awards and the CIM Connect Expo, where suppliers show equipment, processing technology and digital systems to mine operators, engineers and executives.
The 2026 edition in Vancouver drew more than 7,600 delegates from 30 countries, 600+ exhibiting organisations and 160+ sessions. CIM CONNECT returns to Montréal in the expo's post-centenary year.
TL;DR
Come for the technical programme and stay for the floor. CIM CONNECT packs three days of sessions, panels and main-stage conversations on operations, mineral processing, automation, safety and responsible mining into one venue, alongside Canada's largest mining exhibition. You can compare equipment and digital tools directly with the people who build them, test ideas against peers from other operations, and use the social programme to reconnect with a network that spans Canadian and international mining. Short courses add practical depth before the main programme, and the CIM Awards put the sector's people and projects in the same room.
CIM CONNECT puts suppliers in front of the engineers, operators and executives who specify and buy mining technology. The 2026 expo drew more than 600 exhibiting organisations and recorded 895 booths, and 2027 space is already sold out, which says as much about buyer traffic as any brochure. A 10 ft × 10 ft booth includes four exhibitor passes covering the Opening Reception, technical sessions, the Komatsu Gala, plenaries and the Closing Reception, so booth staff can work the floor and attend sessions. Montréal's Palais des congrès sits above the Place-d'Armes métro station, making it easy for regional and international buyers to reach the hall.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, Montréal, Québec H2Z 1H2, Canada
Entrances & gates
Main entrance
1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
Saint-Antoine entrance
301 and 159 Saint-Antoine Street West; deliveries at 163 Saint-Antoine Street West
1025 Rue Chenneville, 400 spots, CAD 30 per 24 hours, free first 10 minutes.
400 spaces · CA$30.00/day
All entrances have access ramps and automatic doors; rooms have hearing-assistance systems and complimentary wheelchairs are available at the main entrance.
Food options
On-site concession and coffee outlets
On-site diningParking: Indoor parking at 1025 Rue Chenneville, entered from Avenue Viger; 400 spaces, clearance 1.9 m, CAD 30 fixed daily rate.
Gate: Main entrance is 1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle; the métro Place-d'Armes station connects underground to the Palais.
Attend
Event days & opening times
Expo-only pass (maximum published rate)
Early-bird and regular rates are below this maximum; 2027 rates are published when registration opens.
Ticket info
Badge collection
Registration opens soon; collect your badge at the registration desk in the Palais public space, Level 1.
Ticket notes
Expo-only passes are sold to mining industry professionals and are capped at CAD 200. Children and teenagers are welcome when accompanied by a parent, teacher or tutor.
What's on
CIM Awards
CIM recognises people and achievements that advance the Canadian mining community, presented around the convention.
sourceHow the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 7,600
Exhibitors: 600
Visitor countries: 30
This edition
2027
Visitors: 7,600
Exhibitors: 600
Next edition
Not announced yet
Impact
Montréal gives CIM CONNECT a compact, transit-connected venue in the heart of a mining-finance and engineering city. The 2026 edition produced 7,600+ delegates, 30 countries and a record 895 expo booths, so the 2027 floor should carry the same mix of operating companies, suppliers and international delegations. For a buyer, that density shortens the distance between a technical session and the supplier who can solve the problem.
Audience quality
The audience is weighted toward people who specify and operate: mine operators, engineers, technical specialists and executives, plus students entering the sector. The programme is technical rather than consumer-facing, and exhibitor passes include access to sessions and social events, which keeps booth staff and buyers in the same rooms across the week.
Exhibitor outcomes
Exhibitor value here comes from concentrated Canadian and international buyer traffic rather than raw floor size. The 2027 expo sold out before registration opened, which limits new stand availability but signals strong exhibitor confidence. Suppliers already holding space should plan meetings before the show and staff the booth with people who can discuss integration, service and commercial terms, not only product brochures.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
CIM CONNECT sits at the centre of the Canadian mining calendar. Canada hosts a large share of the world's listed mining companies and a dense supplier base, so the hall brings together mine operators, engineering firms, labs and technology vendors in one place. For buyers, that means a single trip to compare equipment, processing and digital systems with the people who run them; for suppliers, it means concentrated access to decision-makers from Canadian operations and international projects.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Critical-minerals supply chains
Governments and producers are reworking supply chains for copper, nickel, lithium and rare earths, with new projects and offtake agreements moving through Canadian and allied jurisdictions.
What it changes: Project teams are specifying equipment and processing capacity now, and suppliers that can shorten commissioning or improve recovery are in demand.
Automation and remote operations
Fleet autonomy, remote control centres and sensor-driven decision-making are moving from pilots into routine operations, especially at large open-pit and underground sites.
What it changes: Buyers are comparing integration and data standards as much as hardware, so digital vendors need to show interoperability with existing mine systems.
Decarbonisation and water stewardship
Electrification of mobile fleets, energy-efficient comminution and tighter water management are shaping capital plans and permit conditions.
What it changes: Sustainability claims are being tested against operating data, which favours suppliers that can document savings at the site level.
CIM CONNECT anchors the Canadian mining year. Buyers often pair it with the winter exploration and investment shows, and suppliers plan their stand calendar around the equipment mega-shows.
AME Roundup 2027
Vancouver, Canada
British Columbia's exploration and mining roundup; early-year technical and investment programme. Dates are the association's customary late-January window and should be confirmed on its site.
websiteMining Indaba 2027
Cape Town, South Africa
African mining investment gathering with a global buyer base; useful for suppliers weighing one international stand. Dates follow the event's customary February window.
websitePDAC 2027
Toronto, Canada
The world's largest exploration and mining convention; two months before Montréal and a common pairing for international visitors. Dates are the customary early-March window.
websiteQ1 2027
Winter circuit for exploration, finance and international buyers.
May 2027
Canadian operations and equipment focus.
Circuit dates are drawn from each event's customary calendar and are marked as estimates; confirm before booking.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Montréal–Trudeau International Airport
Main international gateway; taxis and the 747 bus run to downtown and the Palais area.
20 km
to venue
25–35 min
by car
Montréal Saint-Hubert Airport
Smaller airport used by some domestic and regional carriers; check connections before booking.
16 km
to venue
20–30 min
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 110–170 / night
Simple downtown hotels within a 15–20 minute walk or short métro ride of the Palais; rates rise during convention week.
USD 190–280 / night
Best balance of walkability and room size; book early because May is a busy convention month.
USD 300–450 / night
Full-service properties closest to the venue and to client entertaining; expect the highest convention-week rates.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Métro (STM)
Fastest option from downtown hotels; buy a rechargeable OPUS card or tap a contactless card where supported.
Taxi / rideshare
Fixed airport taxi fares apply from YUL; allow extra time on weekday mornings.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eTA (electronic travel authorization) | Visa-exempt visitors flying to Canada, including many European and some Asia-Pacific passport holders | $5.00 | Usually minutes to 72 hours | |
| Visitor visa (temporary resident visa) | Visitors from countries that require a Canadian visa, including many in Africa, Asia and Latin America | $75.00 | Weeks to several months; apply early |
US citizens do not need a visa or eTA for short business visits but must carry a valid passport.
Canada accepts ATA Carnets for temporary equipment imports; confirm the goods list with your freight forwarder before shipping.
Official visa pageWeather
Early May in Montréal is mild and changeable: daytime highs near 18°C, nights around 8°C, with a real chance of rain. Bring a light waterproof layer and comfortable shoes for the walk between hotels and the Palais.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
The Palais offers wi-fi in public areas and meeting rooms; exhibitors should order dedicated internet through the exhibitor manual when it opens, as shared venue wi-fi is not sized for demos.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
French and English
Montréal is bilingual. Staff at the Palais and downtown hotels generally switch to English, but opening with 'bonjour' is appreciated.
Tipping
Restaurant servers expect 15–20% before tax; taxi drivers are usually tipped 10–15%. Card terminals in Canada default to a tip prompt.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: YUL (Montréal–Trudeau)
Book 8–12 weeks ahead for May; direct transatlantic capacity into YUL is strong, but convention-week hotel rates move faster than air fares.
US citizens need only a valid passport. Visa-exempt visitors flying to Canada need an eTA; other nationalities need a visitor visa, so check before booking.
Estimated cost: CAD 7 eTA / CAD 100 visitor visa
Processing: Minutes for eTA; weeks to months for a visitor visa
Apply as soon as your travel is confirmed; carry a letter of invitation from your employer or the organiser if asked at the border.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Taxi from YUL is a fixed fare of roughly CAD 49 to downtown; the 747 bus costs CAD 11 and connects to the métro network.
Hotel → venue: Most downtown hotels are a 10–20 minute walk or one or two métro stops from Place-d'Armes.
Ride-hail: Uber and local taxis operate across Montréal; pick-up at the Palais is on the Saint-Antoine side.
Public transit: STM métro orange line, Place-d'Armes station, is connected to the Palais; single ride CAD 3.75.
Parking: Indoor parking at 1025 Rue Chenneville, 400 spaces, CAD 30 per 24 hours.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May
Temperature: 8–18°C
Seasonality: Spring is changeable with frequent showers; the first week of May is usually mild but windy.
Packing: Pack a light waterproof jacket, layers and comfortable walking shoes for the expo floor.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Tuesday 4 May
The expo runs its final day on Tuesday alongside the technical programme, so the floor is busy but meetings are still possible; Monday is the longest expo day if you need more time.
Book travel and a refundable hotel in the Quartier des spectacles or Old Montréal — Convention week sells out; keep the booking flexible until the programme is published.
Confirm registration and expo-only pass, then download the exhibitor list — Registration opens soon; the pass cap is CAD 200.
Build a shortlist of 10–15 exhibitors and request meetings — Group by hall position so you can walk the floor efficiently.
Check the technical programme and mark sessions that clash with meetings — Programme is published progressively; agenda_status is partial.
Pack badge confirmation, business cards and a charged phone with the métro app — Place-d'Armes station connects directly to the Palais.
Registration and coffee
Palais des congrès, Level 1Technical session block
Session rooms, Palais des congrèsSupplier meetings on the expo floor
CIM Connect Expo hallNetworking reception
Expo floor / Palais public spaceOld Montréal and the Old Port
Walking
20–30 minutes on foot from the Palais
Cobbled streets, the Notre-Dame Basilica and waterfront walks make an easy evening break.
Mount Royal lookout
Park
25 minutes by métro and bus
Best skyline view of the city and a short hike if you have a free afternoon.
CIM Opening Reception
official event
Included with exhibitor passes and a natural first-night meeting point.
Expo floor coffee breaks
show floor
Scheduled breaks pull buyers out of sessions and onto the floor.
CIM CONNECT compresses a year of supplier conversations into a few days. The teams that convert are the ones with a named owner for each lead and a follow-up sent while the show is still fresh.
Budget
Shell scheme
CAD 350–550 / m²
Raw space
CAD 250–400 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
The 2027 tariff table did not print rates on the fetched page, so per-square-metre bands are planning estimates for a Canadian mining expo. Furnished booths carry a CAD 300 charge per open corner, and extra exhibitor passes cost CAD 425 each.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
booth
exhibitor · shell
CAD 15750–24750 / 9 sqm stand
booth
exhibitor · raw
CAD 9000–14400 / 36 sqm space
hotel
both · mid
USD 190–280 / per night
per_diem
both · standard
USD 70–110 / per day
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| booth | exhibitor | shell | CAD 15750–24750 / 9 sqm stand | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| booth | exhibitor | raw | CAD 9000–14400 / 36 sqm space | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | mid | USD 190–280 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| per_diem | both | standard | USD 70–110 / per day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six questions to decide whether to visit, exhibit or skip CIM CONNECT 2027.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your role in the mining value chain?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have specific suppliers to meet and sessions that support a live project.
Best for
Operators, engineers and technical buyers who want the programme and the floor in one trip
Min. budget
$1,500.00
Timeline
Book 8–12 weeks ahead
Risks
Programme clashes with floor time
Hotel rates spike in convention week
exhibit
You can staff the booth with commercial and technical people and follow up within 48 hours.
Best for
Suppliers with a Canadian or international buyer base and a stand-sized budget
Min. budget
$12,000.00
Timeline
Commit 6–9 months ahead; 2027 space is sold out
Risks
Waiting-list space is not guaranteed
Stand and freight costs run well beyond the booth fee
skip
Neither the programme nor the exhibitor list matches a current priority.
Best for
Buyers with no active project or budget this cycle
Timeline
Reassess for the next edition
Risks
Missing relationship-building with existing suppliers
Book with
Palais des congrès de Montréal
The convention centre hosting CIM CONNECT 2027, with a main entrance at 1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle and direct métro access at Place-d'Armes.
Official venue site; not named as a commercial partner.
Air Canada
Montréal's home carrier and the largest operator at YUL, with direct North American and transatlantic routes into the city.
Public airline for route planning; not an announced show partner.
Chambre de commerce du Montréal métropolitain
Montréal's metropolitan chamber of commerce, a practical contact for local business introductions and city-level hosting.
Public business body; no partnership with the show is claimed.
Mining Association of Canada
National association representing Canadian mining companies on policy, safety and sustainability issues relevant to the CIM CONNECT audience.
Public industry association; not named as an event partner.
Recommended providers
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Official eTA and visitor-visa guidance; apply before booking non-refundable travel.
Filter for downtown or Old Montréal and free cancellation; convention-week rates move quickly.
Direct services into YUL from North America and Europe; compare with connecting carriers for Asia-Pacific.
Compare forwarders for exhibit freight; confirm customs brokerage and ATA Carnet handling.
Allianz Global Assistance Canada
Travel medical and trip-cancellation cover; check that business travel and exhibition equipment are included.
Official city tourism listings for Old Montréal, Mount Royal and evening activities.
Badge scanning and lead-capture alternatives if the organiser does not supply a scanner.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
4 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
8
References
3
Publishers
8
Date checked
CIM
CIM Magazine
Palais des congrès de Montréal
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
