Tourisme Montréal ranks 1st in North America and 3rd globally for responsible environmental, social, supplier engagement and destination management (Global Destination Sustainability Index 2022) CASE STUDY: Social impacts of AIDS 2022 The 24th International AIDS Conference—the world’s largest gathering on HIV and AIDS— was attended by international scientists, researchers, health care providers, policy makers, community leaders and advocates. The event coincided with the annual Montréal Pride Festival, the French-speaking world’s largest gathering of sexually and gender- diverse people. AIDS 2022 legacies The Canadian government announced three major commitments during the conference: • $17.9 million to increase access to HIV testing in remote communities and among hard- to-reach populations • $15 million to UNAIDS, the lead organization in the global effort to end HIV/AIDS • An intention to modernize criminal law relating to non-disclosure of HIV status 24th International AIDS Conference July 29 – August 2, 2022 Palais des congrès de Montréal 191 exhibitors 8,000 in-person and 1,000 virtual attendees from across the globe $26.9 million in economic spinoffs In a project initiated by Business Events Montréal, in collaboration with #MEET4IMPACT and with the input of the Palais des congrès, connections were facilitated between the local AIDS 2022 organizing committee, Fierté Montréal (Montréal Pride) and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Montréal Pride used the occasion to raise awareness of important issues by debuting three creative initiatives that drew inspiration from the organization’s 10 key advocacy demands for 2022, which include adequate funding for community organizations, free HIV/AIDS care and decriminalization of HIV non-disclosure. “These demands basically inform and guide us, Montréal Pride’s three creative projects: The documentary Inverse/The Future is Often a Step Behind (pictured), examines queer lives dealing with racism, sexism, misogyny, transphobia, homophobia and the stigma of HIV and AIDS; the choreographic work, Rapture, blends commemoration, pain and resilience in tribute to people who have died of AIDS; and Art, Activism and Resilience showcases the work of visual artists from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities around the world. whatever we do,” explains Chris Ngabonziza, director of programming, Montréal Pride. AIDS 2022 attendees were invited to participate in Pride Festival activities and conference organizers made a number of passes available to members of the communities. Montréal Pride named Bertrand Lebouché, a researcher in HIV and STI screening at McGill University, as a Festival Grand Marshal in recognition of the important scientific work being done to eradicate HIV/AIDS. From Montréal Pride’s perspective, hosting AIDS 2022 in Montréal kick-started new projects and built “some important bridges, including with the science and medical communities, that I hope we’ll continue to explore,” Ngabonziza says. AIDS 2022 PHOTO: EVA BLUE – TOURISME MONTRÉAL PHOTO: MARTINE POULIN – CENTRE PHI
