Alain Simard (businessman)

Founder of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, the FrancoFolies de Montréal and the MONTREAL HIGH LIGHTS Festival, Alain Simard has been President and CEO of L’Équipe Spectra since its inception in 1977. A recognised leader among Quebec cultural industries, in 1994 L’Équipe Spectra was the first Canadian culture-oriented company to be cited as “among the 50 best-managed in Canada” by the Financial Post.

Alain Simard has received numerous prizes and awards, including a Félix Hommage at the ADISQ Gala, a Prix Hommage from the Société des Fêtes et Festivals du Québec and the Grand Prix Ulysse trophy from Tourisme Montréal. He was also awarded the title of Chevalier des Arts et Lettres and Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Pléiade in France and the Prix de la réussite Entreprendre 2005 from the Cercle Entreprendre du Québec. Winner of the Ernst & Young Grand Prix de l'Entrepreneur 2005 (Media and Entertainment Categories, Quebec), Alain Simard also received an honorable mention Excellence in Marketing at a National Level on behalf of L’Équipe Spectra. He was recently confirmed as a member of the Académie des Grands Montréalais, and in the summer of 2005 produced his 50th festival! He was named Businessman of the Year 2006 at the Consumers’ Choice Awards gala and is also considered by Quebecers as one of the 10 greatest builders, according to a 2007 survey conducted by the Canoë.com website. Over the course of summer 2007, Montréal Centre-Ville Magazine included Alain Simard among its list of the top 50 leaders of Montreal.