This list is for attendees to use as a resource for planning their participation in DEFSEC West. Once you have made the decision to attend DEFSEC West in-person, please review the following checklist:
Book your accommodations. You should do this as soon as possible as the deadlines for the hotel blocks are coming soon. Local hotels, especially those nearby are expected fill very fast during the week of our event each year. Click here to find out more details about our partner hotel and to book your room.
Register online for your attendance at DEFSEC West. The process to follow is:
Review the information on what the attendee categories are this year and figure out which you should register under. Click here to start getting the information you need.
Go to the Online Registration Web Platform at ____. Select the correct entry in the Attende Role dropdown once you have started your registration. Fill out the basic contact information (and other info screens depending on your category). It is important to note that this year that no attendee passes of any kind include any meals.
If your Attendee Type requires payment, the final screen you will see will be the page asking for your credit card information. If you are an Exhibitor or Sponsor, you may also use the Coupon Code that you were sent if you are one of the people allocated to use that code.
After payment information is entered and the card accepted OR no payment was required, you should see the confirmation screen and receive a confirmation e-mail.
Make arrangements for transportation to the venue. Depending on where you are coming from, this could be as simple as driving and parking OR as complex as flying and getting transportation to downtown Calgary upon arrival.
If you are travelling from outside of Canada, click here for more information.
Sign-up as an Insider.Click here to join our dedicated mailing list to keep you up-to-date on the latest developments for this year’s event.
Activate your B2B/2GO Web Platform profile. On the afternoon of February 24, we will be launching the platform and everyone registered at that time will receive an activation e-mail with a link to activate and finish filling in their B2B/2GO user profile. If you register after that date, there will be a daily weekday sync between the Online Registration Web Platform and the B2B2GO Web Platform. Be sure to watch for and action the e-mail to start your B2B experience at DEFSEC West. Once you have logged into the B2B/2GO Web Platform, there are two modules you will be able to access:
The Messaging module will be active right from the launch date. This feature allows all registered attendees who have activated their profiles in the platform to view other active attendee profiles and message back and forth with them. This is used as part of the process of arranging and confirming meetings, but can also be used simply to communicate with those attendees. It will continue to be available after the dates of the B2B meetings (March 25 & 26, 2026) right until the end of April.
The Matchmaking module combines matchmaking and meeting scheduling all into one site. The platform is used to facilitate the in-person meetings at our event. We will have one large room inside the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre dedicated to B2B/B2G meetings. Inside the room are 15 dedicated 8′ x 8′ divided spaces which will be set up for in-person meetings on Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26. Where the platform is planned to launch on Tuesday, February 24, attendees will have that entire month before to find each other, make connections and plan arranged meetings using the system on the event days. Access to this module will end at the close of business on the last day of meetings (March 26, 2026).
Review the Admission Policy. Click here to view it and become familiar with the expectations for all attendees before heading to the event.
Plan your activities for when you will be on-site at our event. These can include:
Visiting the Industry Exhibition to see and meet exhibiting companies from all around the globe and create new business opportunities.
Participating in official networking opportunities such as the Opening Reception on Tuesday evening or “Hour of Good Cheer” Reception on Wednesday afternoon.
Choosing and attending which sponsor presentations and discussion panels that are part of the Presentation Series that will best inform you about the latest developments in the industry.
Attending the in-person meetings you have arranged as part of the B2B Meetings Program. Or you can even rent a Private Meeting Room for one or both days to setup a dedicated series of meetings for your company.
Taking note of several Related Events that may be of interest to you that are offering even more to do while in Calgary for the week.
And finally… enjoying Alberta’s hospitality in general!
If you have any specific questions about the event that this attendee checklist does not address or you require further clarification, please contact the DEFSEC West Registration Desk at registration@defsecwest.ca. We will do our very best to assist you and answer your questions!
