Hi Barbara,
I live in the suburbs but since I see no replies I figure I could suggest a few things:-)
Since you'll probably be downtown, shopping on Ste. Catherine street is an option. It all connects underground too. If you get tired walking you can get around through the subway (we call it the metro).
Our festivals start a little later unfortunately but the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is wonderful (use to go often when I lived in the city)
The Planetarium just re-opened as well.
Sightseeing: I highly suggest a visit to Old Montreal..cobble stones...horse drawn carriages...cute bistro type restaurants where the staff are pretty welcoming to tourists. The Cathedral of course (where Celine Dion married) is pretty.
Not as familiar with restaurants in the downtown core as before but an old stand-by if you venture out on St. Laurent street: Shawartz Deli for our famous smoke meat sandwiches.
Schwartz's - Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen - A Montreal Tradition Since 1928
A classic favourite here is the Poutine. Fries/Gravy/Melted Cheese Curds...really good depending where you go.
Since I don't venture into town much anymore here is a site that can give you some more ideas:
Traveller | Tourism Montreal
At the hotel they can suggest the best restaurants walking distance got a lot of variety and varied price points.
The more important questions of stamping ..lol
We don't have many brick and mortar shops and the ones I know of are located in the suburbs. But in town we have Deserres. A "Big Box" type at Place Montreal Trust:
Place Montr�al Trust
1500, avenue McGill College (Qu�bec) H3A 3J5
You can see the website to see if it's worth a visit:
Home | DeSerres
Here's hoping someone better informed can chime in..lol
Wishing you a great convention and bonne visite!!
Terri