NAVA 37
MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC
CANADA
OCTOBER 10-12, 2003

Mark your calendar!!! Montréal, Québec, Canada has been selected by the NAVA Executive Board as the site for NAVA 37 from October 10-12, 2003. The theme, "A Celebration of Canadian Vexillology" has been chosen for this meeting. The program is not limited to Canadian vexillology, but there will definitely be an emphasis on it.

Montréal is an island city located in the St. Lawrence River and is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities in North America, if not the world! According to National Geographic Traveler (October 2000), "Montréal is right in there in our list of the 22 best destinations worldwide. No city is more romantic, more lovely, more cultured, more cosmopolitan, or has more spark and élan than Montréal." Conde Nast Traveler in November 2000 states, "Except for San Francisco, no city in North America is more integrated with its natural surroundings..." Travel Holiday (January 2000) remarked, "Montréal is the perfect city getaway with lots of culture that's cheap and easy to get to. And you can capitalize on the city's quaint and cosmopolitan aspects in historic Vieux-Montréal (Old Montréal)."

The Civic Flag of Montréal

Montréal contains 3.4 million people and is where French culture meets more than 80 different ethnic groups, (so there is no problem if you are seeking a certain type of foreign restaurant Ð Montréal has it from Sushi bars to French cuisine). Also, if you are not fluent in French do not worry, as Montréal is the most bilingual city on the continent. Even though French is the official language of Québec Province, and Montréal is the third largest French-speaking city in the world (after Paris and Kinshasa), more than half of the population of the city speaks English as either a first or second language.

The Logo Flag of Montréal

Many NAVA members may remember that Montréal played host to EXPO 67, an exposition in honor of Canada's Centennial in 1967, and held the Summer Olympic Games in 1976. Today the city holds internationally famous jazz and comedy festivals annually. Before, during, or after NAVA 37, members, spouses, and friends may want to see some of the many sites the city has to offer, such as the famous Montréal Botanical Garden, or the Biosphere. If one is feeling lucky there is the Casino de Montréal with 3,000 slot machines and 120 gaming tables. Should you want to shop or just walk along and view the old buildings of the city, there is the Old Port section with its quaint shops, restaurants, and streets with horse drawn carriages.

La Communaute Urbaine de Montréal

Also, Montréal has its own "underground city," a vast indoor pedestrian network of over 18 miles which offers access to 1,700 shops, department stores, restaurants, movie theaters and hotels. Of course we are hoping for gorgeous autumn weather (October's minimum temperature is 41 degrees F and maximum is 56 degrees F), but in case the weather doesn't cooperate, it is reassuring to know this "underground city" exists. It should be mentioned that Montréal also has a very modern, safe, clean, and efficient subway system which goes throughout the city. There is also a very good bus network and of course taxis are plentiful if one so chooses.

The Flag of the Old Port of Montréal

As far as transportation to the meeting is concerned, Montréal has two international airports, Mirabel and Dorval, and Amtrak has rail service to Montréal from New York City. Of course the Trans-Canadian highway leads into Montréal from Toronto and points west and from the Maritime Provinces and points east. In the United States Interstate 89 in Vermont and Interstate 87 in New York lead north into Montréal.

The Flag of the Port of Montréal

Further details as to the exact site of the meeting, the hotel accommodations, etc., will be forthcoming shortly, but for now take note of the date and begin planning for a wonderful annual meeting in a world-class city.

The National Flag of Canada

For those who seek more information on Montréal see the website: http://www.tourisme-montreal.org, or telephone: Infotouriste Centre: (514) 873-2015 or 1-800-363-7777.

The Flag of Québec

Check out the Montréal Used Book Dealer List.!

James Croft -- Chairman of NAVA 37