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Schedule

Overall Schedule

Last Revised March 23, 2026

This page will have a summary of events that are taking place during DEFSEC West. All events are taking place at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre unless otherwise noted. The timings for the Presentation Series and other Related Events will be added constantly as their details are confirmed over the coming months. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact us.

Notable timings outside of the official event days of March 24-26, 2026 are as follows:

  • Monday, January 5, 2026 – Launch of Online Registration Web Platform
  • Sunday, February 22, 2026 – Early Bird Pricing Deadline for Online Registration
  • Tuesday, February 24, 2026 – B2B/2GO Web Platform Messaging & Matchmaking Modules Launch
  • Monday, March 16, 2026 – Launch of Interactive Floorplan Web Platform
  • Monday, March 23, 2026 – Early Move-In for Exhibitors with Large and/or Complex Booth Builds (must be requested in advance)
  • Thursday, April 30, 2026 – B2B/2GO Web Platform Messaging Module Closes
Download PDF Version of Schedule (revised 23 Mar 2026)
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  • Mar 24


  • Mar 25


  • Mar 26


  • Sponsored by Calian
    Setup & Teardown
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Calian Exhibition Hall

  • Sponsored by Boeing Canada
    Amenities
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Pre-Function Area

  • Sponsored by Denvr
    Amenities
    Where
    TELUS Rooms LEVEL, Room 110

  • Sponsored by Raytheon Canada
    Amenities
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Pre-Function Area

  • Sponsored by Canadian Defence Review
    Amenities
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Pre-Function Area

  • Sponsored by Remote Robotic
    Amenities
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Pre-Function Area

  • Sponsored by Government of Alberta
    Online Technologies
    Where
    Online, B2B/2GO Web Platform

  • Sponsored by Boeing Canada
    Amenities
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Pre-Function Area

  • Sponsored by Denvr
    Amenities
    Where
    TELUS Rooms LEVEL, Room 110

  • Sponsored by Raytheon Canada
    Amenities
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Pre-Function Area

  • Sponsored by Canadian Defence Review
    Amenities
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Pre-Function Area

  • Sponsored by Remote Robotic
    Amenities
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Pre-Function Area

  • Sponsored by Integrated Strategic Partners
    Breaks
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Calian Exhibition Hall and Remote Robotic Lounge

  • Sponsored by Calian
    Exhibition
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Calian Exhibition Hall

  • Nick Crighton, Senior Manager of Business Development with Des Nedhe Group, will speak to the evolving policy landscape and the growing role Indigenous capabilities and partnerships are playing across Canada’s defence and security sector. He’ll be joined by Jordan Baptiste, President of Creative Fire, who will share perspectives on partnership models advancing Indigenous participation and ownership.
    Presentations
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, BDC Presentation Pavilion

  • Sponsored by Integrated Strategic Partners
    Breaks
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Calian Exhibition Hall and Remote Robotic Lounge

  • You will hear from the panelists regarding the Government of Canada’s vision for a strong Canadian defence industry for a secure and prosperous Canada. As it advances Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, the Government of Canada will be guided by a clear vision: A robust Canadian defence industry that provides technological and operational advantage to the Canadian Armed Forces and its security partners in their mission to defend Canada, and maximizes growth, job creation and economic benefits for all Canadians. Make sure you add the DIS panel discussion to your itinerary to see how you can play an important role in Canada’s defence industry.
    Presentations
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, BDC Presentation Pavilion

  • As the defence environment rapidly evolves, the ability to move innovation from concept to operational capability has never been more critical. At DEFSEC, Calian will introduce Calian VENTURES, Canada’s first defence innovation orchestrator—designed to accelerate high-potential Canadian technologies into mission-ready solutions for the modern battlefield. This session will explore why the timing is right for a new orchestration model that connects SMEs, operational needs and defence programs. Attendees will also hear how Calian’s C5ISRT interoperability capabilities are enabling real-world development through our first VENTURES partner, Tactiql, demonstrating how emerging technologies can be integrated, scaled and delivered faster to support Canadian and allied forces. Join us to see how VENTURES is transforming innovation into operational advantage.
    Presentations
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, BDC Presentation Pavilion

  • Exhibition Floor does not Close During this Time
    Breaks
    Where
    Downtown Calgary, Various Restaurants

  • What does it take to modernize one of the most complex, regulated, and mission-critical organizations on the planet? Tom Soderstrom did exactly that at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory as IT Chief Technology and Innovation Officer — and the lessons apply directly to Canada's defence industry today. Now a Global AWS Executive in Residence, Tom has guided digital transformations across highly regulated industries worldwide. In this keynote, he'll share a practical recipe for cutting through bureaucracy, accelerating delivery, and building resilient, sovereign-ready capabilities — without waiting years for the perfect conditions. Whether you're a small business trying to compete for DND contracts, a prime navigating complex procurement, or a defence leader looking to modernize your team, Tom's keynote will give you real tools, real customer stories, and a clear path forward. Build Smarter. Move Faster. Be Limitless. — and find out how Canada's defence industry can lead the way.
    Presentations
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, BDC Presentation Pavilion

  • The conversation about national defence in Canada is taking on a new sense of urgency. This is a time of significant challenge and meaningful opportunity. Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, Commander of the Canadian Army, says that the ingenuity of industry is essential to building a modernized Army that is strong, proud, and ready to meet this moment.
    Presentations
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, BDC Presentation Pavilion

  • Canada’s allies and adversaries are integrating AI into defence operations at a pace and scale Canada has not yet matched. Meeting Canada’s NATO commitments and the future demands of the Canadian Armed Forces requires sovereign AI capability — built in Canada, by Canadian companies, for Canadian operations. This panel marks the public launch of the Canada AI Platform (CAIP) Defence Coalition — a founding alliance of Canadian defence technology companies purpose-building the sovereign AI technology the CAF requires. Moderated by Duncan Stewart, Special Executive Advisor Innovation, Canadian Joint Forces Command, the panel brings together Geoff Gordon, CEO Denvr; Eliot Pence, CEO Dominion Dynamics; and Al Dillon,CEO Sapper Labs — Founding Members of the CAIP Defence Coalition. Panelists will discuss how a coordinated coalition of Canadian companies is delivering world-class AI-enabled capability to the CAF, with active programmes in development and a path to rapid field deployment.
    Presentations
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, BDC Presentation Pavilion

  • An overview of the five major sites including Skunkworks Canada, and the economic and industrial benefits of Lockheed Martin in Canada.
    Presentations
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, BDC Presentation Pavilion

  • Sponsored by Government of Alberta
    Online Technologies
    Where
    Online, B2B/2GO Web Platform

  • Sponsored by Boeing Canada
    Amenities
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Pre-Function Area

  • Sponsored by Canadian Defence Review
    Amenities
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Pre-Function Area

  • Sponsored by Remote Robotic
    Amenities
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Pre-Function Area

  • Sponsored by Denvr
    Amenities
    Where
    TELUS Rooms LEVEL, Room 110

  • Sponsored by Raytheon Canada
    Amenities
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Pre-Function Area

  • Sponsored by Leonardo DRS
    Breaks
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Calian Exhibition Hall and Remote Robotic Lounge

  • Sponsored by Calian
    Exhibition
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Calian Exhibition Hall

  • As defence becomes a key driver of Canada’s economic and national sovereignty, new opportunities are emerging for SMEs - particularly in Western Canada. This panel brings together BDC and PrairiesCan to discuss how national defence priorities translate into regional opportunities, where demand is materializing, and how SMEs can navigate regional and national support to scale into defence markets. The discussion will focus on practical steps, sequencing of support, and what firms need to do now to position themselves for success.
    Presentations
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, BDC Presentation Pavilion

  • Sponsored by Leonardo DRS
    Breaks
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Calian Exhibition Hall and Remote Robotic Lounge

  • This presentation will highlight Leonardo DRS’s capabilities in supporting naval readiness, including advanced computing solutions that reduce time to market, Ice Piercer technologies that future-proof computing, and pre-integrated mission equipment packages, along with other key innovations.
    Presentations
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, BDC Presentation Pavilion

  • An overview of CAE Tech, Training and Programs directed at academic students in attendance.
    Presentations
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, BDC Presentation Pavilion

  • Sponsored by CAE - Participating Students & Faculty will first check-in at the Registration Desk upon arrival and then proceed to Glen Rooms LEVEL, Room 206
    Academic Day of Connection
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Pre-Function Area

  • Dale Unrau, Executive Director of Industry and Defence Strategy for the Government of Alberta will talk about how Alberta can leverage it's unique assets in support of Canada's defence posture.
    Presentations
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, BDC Presentation Pavilion

  • Exhibition Floor does not Close During this Time
    Breaks
    Where
    Downtown Calgary, Various Restaurants

  • Sponsored by CAE - Participating Students & Faculty will have lunch with industry representatives and listen to related presentations in Glen Rooms LEVEL, Room 206
    Academic Day of Connection
    Where
    Glen Rooms LEVEL, Room 206

  • Secretary of State Stephen Fuhr will speak about his work at the Defence Investment Agency to streamline procurement, along with Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, which will grow the defence industrial base in Western Canada and across the country. This work will grow Canada’s economy, create good paying jobs, and deliver equipment to the Canadian Armed Forces faster.
    Presentations
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, BDC Presentation Pavilion

  • Sponsored by CAE - Participating Students & Faculty will be given a brief tour of the Exhibition Floor and then allowed to explore the floor on their own
    Academic Day of Connection
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Calian Exhibition Hall

  • Sponsored by Calian
    Setup & Teardown
    Where
    Exhibition Hall LEVEL, Calian Exhibition Hall