2025 LAI Montreal Gathering: a personal perspective

Originally founded in 1642 as a French missionary settlement, Ville-Marie, Montreal is the largest city in the Quebec province and the second-largest city in Canada. With prominent historical significance and an active intermodal port, Montreal was an excellent choice for the 2025 Lambda Alpha International (LAI) September 11 - 13 Annual Gathering host city. 

Old Montreal skyline
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

LAI Gatherings are hosted at select international cities and begin with business meetings for the executive team. Once the business meetings conclude, attendees from across the globe enjoy educational sessions, tours of the region’s key developments and other economic drivers, and many networking opportunities over the three-day event; there were ample opportunities to appreciate the city and capture its essence. The 2025 LAI Montreal Gathering was a superb event revered by the attendees.

The Hotel Place d'Armes, a MICHELIN Key-awarded luxury hotel, located in the heart of Old Montreal and an easy walk to the Old Port, lovely dining experiences, and other urban adventures, was the Gathering host hotel.

Earth Impact (Ei) Founder & CEO Holly Elmore attended the Gathering as the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter President.

About LAI

LAI is the honorary global network for thought leaders 

in all fields related to the preservation and sustainable development of land.

LAI is a growing network of chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Each chapter offers a wide variety of programs with industry leaders, discussion forums, community service projects and networking events.

Membership is highly selective through a nomination process initiated by an LAI member. Nominees for LAI membership must demonstrate ten or more years of experience in their fields, professional distinction, and outstanding contributions to the community in their field of endeavor.

LAI is committed to excellence and high professional standards to make a difference. A value to members is knowing you are someone who helped make that difference.

Education Sessions and Tours
At the core of Gathering itineraries are a plethora of educational sessions and tours that showcase the host city's economic drivers, historic relevance, and development successes and challenges. 

A full house at the Montreal Science Center
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

With the business meetings concluded on the first day, attendees enjoyed an excellent lunch before attending the Housing Affordability presentation. Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer for the City of Philadelphia and former American Planning Association President, Angela Brooks represented the United States on the otherwise Canadian panel.  

At the Awards Dinner, Angela was honored with the International Urban Affairs/Public Official Award. Post Gathering, Angela segued into the LAI East Coast Assistant Regional Vice President position. Thus, Holly will work closely with Angela in her capacity of LAI FL Suncoast Chapter President and Co-Chair of the Workforce Housing Taskforce.

In the late afternoon, attendees enjoyed a guided walking tour of Old Montreal. The first day closed with the Presidents Reception and Dinner at the Hotel Nelligan Rooftop Restaurant.

After an Artificial Intelligence session on the second-day morning, buses transported attendees to the Royalmount, a luxury shopping center located in the city of Mount Royal. On the return to Montreal, the busses stopped at the University of Montreal, MIL campus for a presentation on Cutting Edge Architecture and a walking tour of the campus. The busy day ended with pre-planned Dine-Around tables for eight or other independent dinner destinations.

Railroad tracks near the Old Montreal Port
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

On the final day, the Gathering convened at the Montreal Science Center for impressive presentations on Montreal and the St. Lawrence East Coast Center of Trade and Canada Lands Major Waterfront Revitalization Projects. CN Rail shared how railroads are essential to the Port of Montreal, an intermodal port, and the St. Lawrence East Coast Trade Center.

With the educational sessions complete, many Gathering attendees enjoyed a sixty-minute St. Lawrence River Cruise. The Gathering closed with a lovely Closing Reception and Awards Dinner at the the Montreal Science Center.

For details on the educational sessions and other Gathering activities, refer to the official Gathering Scribe Report available when published at this LINK. LAI Historian Joe Nathanson (Baltimore Chapter) prepared the exceptional report. 

Longtime & New Friends
Beyond educational and professional pursuits, for many, camaraderie with longtime and new friends from around the globe is the BEST part of attending a Gathering. Between "free" time, transportation to and from sessions, and meals, there is plenty of time to engage with fellow LAI members. Many friendships are decades long from Gatherings and former Land Economics Weekends (LEW) attendance in multiple cities.

Past President Gary Leach and his wife
Maria on the river cruise.
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

With the plethora of global Zoom meetings, folks are excited to segue from the tiny screen picture into a full-fledged human being!

Chicago Region Chapter Past President shares his perspective:

“I hadn’t been to a gathering in awhile and quickly remembered how fantastic they are, and how great it was to see all of the LAI members/friends from around the world”

Additionally Todd produced an excellent two-plus minute video of the St. Lawrence River Cruise; the video showcases how LAI members enjoy each other and have strong heart connections.

Holly reconnected with dear friends from her inaugural 2015 Memphis LEW, five years on the LAI Executive Committee where she served as Assistant Communication Director under Phil Adams (Chicago Chapter) and worked closely with Todd and Alan Nevin (San Diego Chapter,) and time in Atlanta on the chapter board.

John and Eileen Schlichting 
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

Current Atlanta Chapter President Bill de St. Aubin and Holly chose to walk the four-plus miles back from the MIL Campus to the host hotel. It was a wonderful opportunity to recollect on Holly's Atlanta days and simply rekindle a friendship.

A Gathering highlight for Holly was spending time with dear friend John Schlichting, LAI Treasurer and Washington D.C. Chapter member, on the tours. Holly bonded with John and his lovely wife Eileen at the 2019 Austin LEW as they walked to dinner.

John kept track of the time and where they were going, and Holly was appreciative. When she said something about how John watched out for her and kept her out trouble, John was quick to reply "Holly, no one can keep you out of trouble!"

The Table-of-Eight Dine Arounds were a huge success. Holly attended incoming Global Initiatives Chair Jamie Cook's (Simcoe Chapter) Dine Around; there was excellent chapter diversity at dinner - Simcoe (3), Atlanta (1), LA (2), FL Suncoast (1), and At-Large (1). 

Under the leadership of LAI East Coast Regional VP Nate Betnun (Baltimore Chapter,) the seven East Coast Chapter Presidents meet at least monthly to coordinate the SemiQ East Coast Tours: Land Use & History (1776-2026).The Presidents were happy to spend time together and build bonds beyond the Tours. The evening prior to the Gathering, Nate, Holly, Bill, and New York City Chapter President Jason Barr enjoyed dinner together.

The Holly Elmore Images (HEI) three-gallery photo album, 2025 Montreal Gathering, showcases the personal perspective of the Montreal Gathering.

One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours
The LAI SemiQ East Coast Tours: Land Use & History (1776-2026) celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a series of tours hosted by the seven Eastern Region chapters: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, FL Suncoast, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. The One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours (Tours) hosted by the LAI Fl Suncoast Chapter is the first tour in the series.

On February 25 – 27, 2026, the FL Suncoast Chapter welcomes distinguished land economics professionals from across the globe to the Sarasota/Bradenton area during the prime winter season. Due to bus limitations, the One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours is limited to 45 out-of-town guests; local chapter members will participate via their own transportation.

As detailed in the Tours Itinerary, the tours consist of an opening reception, two days of tours filled with prominent speakers including a two-hour Sarasota Bay History Cruise, and finishes with a Closing Dinner Reception (pending sponsorship.)

The Tours is open to Global LAI members and a guest. 

REGISTER HERE - early bird registrations ends October 20, 2025

Sponsorship opportunities are detailed HERE.

Water Challenges, Economics, Nature-Based Solutions LED
As a precursor to the February 25 – 27, 2026 One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours, the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter hosts a Land Economics Dialogues (LED) event on Wednesday, February 25 from 9 am – 4 pm. The LED focus is on local Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based-Solutions.

An LED is an FL Suncoast-event series where prominent LAI members from around the globe provide expertise and advice on land- and water-related issues.

The LED agenda consists of four morning speakers followed by a brainstorming session during lunch. Morning presentation topics include Coastal Water Dynamics, Surface Water (Sarasota Bay, Gulf, Inland Waters), Extreme Weather, and Local & Regional Economics. The afternoon is dedicated to an empowering strategy session. A formal report will document the LED presentations, strategy session, and potential nature-based solutions.

Land and water economics are the common thread within the LED–strategy points.

The LED is open to Global LAI members.

REGISTER HERE - early bird registrations ends October 20, 2025

Sponsorship opportunities are detailed HERE.

Beyond professional focus and endeavors, the 2025 Montreal Gathering showcased the important personal value Lambda Alpha International brings to its members.