Canadian Aerospace Summit 2026
October 27 - 28, 2026
Fairmont, Château Laurier (Ottawa)
Register
Registration is now CLOSED for the Canadian Aerospace Summit 2026.
Join us October 27-28 in a new location — the Fairmont, Château Laurier in Ottawa.
Presented by the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) the Canadian Aerospace Summit is your chance to:
- network with senior executives and government representatives;
- learn more about the innovative products and services featured at this year’s trade show; and
- gain insights on current challenges, opportunities and trends across the aerospace sector.
High-visibility sponsorship options available
Position your organization at the centre of the conversations shaping Canada’s aerospace, defence and security future — and connect directly with the leaders, partners and decision-makers driving it forward.
Seize the momentum and be part of this defining moment for Canada’s aerospace industry!
Don’t miss your chance to participate in the Canadian Aerospace Summit 2026, contact us today to learn more about opportunities to get involved:
Mike Baker
Senior Manager, Operations, AIAC
Email: mbaker@aiac.ca
Bill Yetman
Vice President, Strategic Planning, AIAC
Email: byetman@aiac.ca
We look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you to our confirmed 2026 Sponsors:
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Supporter Sponsors
Media Sponsors
Sponsorship
Position your organization at the centre of the conversations shaping Canada’s aerospace, defence and security future — and connect directly with the leaders, partners and decision-makers driving it forward.
Seize the momentum and be part of this defining moment for Canada’s aerospace industry!
Don’t miss your chance to participate in the Canadian Aerospace Summit 2026, contact us today to learn more about opportunities to get involved:
Mike Baker
Senior Manager, Operations, AIAC
Email: mbaker@aiac.ca
Bill Yetman
Vice President, Strategic Planning, AIAC
Email: byetman@aiac.ca
Thank you to our confirmed 2026 Sponsors:
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Supporter Sponsors
Media Sponsors
Exhibit Hall & B2B
Trade Show booths are SOLD OUT.
The B2B & Trade Show is a one-day show featuring the best-in-class aerospace capabilities and cross-sector emerging niche technologies from around the world.
Don’t miss top Canadian and international companies showcasing their industry leading products and services, and your chance to gain one-on-one access to potential suppliers and customers through our exclusive B2B matchmaking program.
Mike Baker
Senior Manager, Operations, AIAC
Email: mbaker@aiac.ca
Bill Yetman
Vice President, Strategic Planning, AIAC
Email: byetman@aiac.ca
Spotlight UK at the Summit
AIAC is pleased to announce Spotlight UK, a dedicated portion of the Canadian Aerospace Summit designed to connect Canadian and UK industry, government and innovators around shared opportunities in civil aerospace, defence, space and advanced manufacturing.
Canada and the United Kingdom share deep industrial, defence and people-to-people ties. Spotlight UK will bring those relationships to the Summit through targeted discussions, high-level networking and practical conversations about supply chains, procurement, technology partnerships and growth on both sides of the Atlantic.
Why Attend?
- Connect with senior executives, government representatives and international partners from the United Kingdom
- Gain insight into emerging sector challenges, opportunities and trends
- Explore UK–Canada cooperation in aerospace, defence, space, advanced manufacturing and sustainable aviation
- Build relationships with potential customers, suppliers and partners on both sides of the Atlantic
For more information, contact:
Mike Baker
Senior Manager, Operations, AIAC
Email: mbaker@aiac.ca
Bill Yetman
Vice President, Strategic Planning, AIAC
Email: byetman@aiac.ca
Spotlight UK Speakers
Rob Tinline
British High Commissioner to Canada
UK Government
View Profile
Alex Milward
HM Trade Commissioner for North America
UK Government
View Profile
Rob Biggs
Business Development Executive – Defence Future Programmes
Rolls-Royce
View Profile
Simon Cooper
Senior Business Development Director – UK Defence Sector
Qinetiq
View Profile
Ian Duguid
Head of Tempest
MBDA UK
View Profile
Nour Eid
Head of Strategy
Aerospace Technology Institute
View Profile
Peter Girvan
Business Development Manager
Denroy Limited
View Profile
Nigel Green
Defence Campaign Manager
Airbus Defence and Space
View Profile
Julie Marionneau
Director of International Relations
ADS Group
View Profile
Matt Peterson
Head of FCAS Campaigns
Leonardo UK
View Profile
Fiona Walters
Chief Executive Officer, UK & Europe
Serco UK
View Profile
Speakers
The Honourable Mélanie Joly
Minister of Industry
Government of Canada
View Profile
The Honourable David J. McGuinty
Minister of National Defence
Government of Canada
View Profile
The Honourable Stephen Fuhr
Secretary of State – Defence Procurement
Government of Canada
View Profile
Major-General Richard Schmidt
Chief of Force Development
Canadian Armed Forces
View Profile
Major-General Jeff Smyth
Chief Air & Space Force Development
Royal Canadian Air Force
View Profile
Mark D. Wiseman
Ambassador of Canada to the United States
View Profile
Andrii Plakhotniuk
Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada
View Profile
Stephanie Bento
Manager, Public Affairs & Marketing
MHIRJ Aviation Group
View Profile
Sandra Buckler
Senior Director, External Affairs and Public Relations
Bombardier
View Profile
Brian Chase
Vice President, International Government Affairs & Industrial Participation
Bell
View Profile
Guillaume Chevasson
Chief Executive Officer
Airbus Canada
View Profile
David Coletto
Founder, Chair and CEO
Abacus Data
View Profile
Matthew Crawley
Vice President and General Manager — Canada
CAE
Michael Derman
Co-founder, Chairman and CEO
EVIO
View Profile
Stephen Isaacs
General Manager
Lockheed Martin Canada Rotary & Missions Systems (RMS)
View Profile
Micael Johansson
President and CEO
Saab
View Profile
Richard McKie
Air Executive Canada
BAE Systems Air
View Profile
Daniel Moczydlower
President & CEO
Embraer-X
View Profile
Steve Patrick
Vice President
Bombardier Defense – Growth & Strategy
View Profile
Nathaniel Pitt
President
Industrial Participation Association of Canada
View Profile
Ivan Zhang
Co-Founder
Cohere
View Profile
Rob Tinline
British High Commissioner to Canada
UK Government
View Profile
Alex Milward
HM Trade Commissioner for North America
UK Government
View Profile
Rob Biggs
Business Development Executive – Defence Future Programmes
Rolls-Royce
View Profile
Simon Cooper
Senior Business Development Director – UK Defence Sector
Qinetiq
View Profile
Ian Duguid
Head of Tempest
MBDA UK
View Profile
Nour Eid
Head of Strategy
Aerospace Technology Institute
View Profile
Peter Girvan
Business Development Manager
Denroy Limited
View Profile
Nigel Green
Defence Campaign Manager
Airbus Defence and Space
View Profile
Julie Marionneau
Director of International Relations
ADS Group
View Profile
Matt Peterson
Head of FCAS Campaigns
Leonardo UK
View Profile
Fiona Walters
Chief Executive Officer, UK & Europe
Serco UK
View Profile
Program
Featuring:
Tuesday, October 27
| 7:30 am | Registration |
|---|---|
sponsored by  |
|
| 7:45 am | Breakfast |
| Laurier Room | |
| 8:30 am – 5:00 pm | B2B Lounge & Platform |
| Drawing Room Foyer | sponsored by  |
| 8:30 am – 5:00 pm | Exhibit Hall |
| Drawing Room Foyer | |
| Conference Room | |
sponsored by  |
|
| 8:30 am | Joint Session with IPAC – Opening Remarks |
| Ballroom | Featuring: • Co-Master of Ceremonies Stephanie Bento, Manager, Public Affairs & Marketing, MHIRJ Aviation Group • Co-Master of Ceremonies Sandra Buckler, Senior Director, External Affairs and Public Relations, Bombardier • Mike Mueller, President and CEO, AIAC • Nathaniel Pitt, President, Industrial Participation Association of Canada |
| 8:55 am | Spotlight UK – Greetings |
 |
Featuring: • Rob Tinline, British High Commissioner to Canada, UK Government |
| 9:00 am | Joint Session with IPAC |
| Featuring: • The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, Government of Canada |
|
| 9:15 am | Speaker Session |
| Featuring: • Mark D. Wiseman, Ambassador of Canada to the United States • Mike Mueller, President and CEO, AIAC |
|
| 9:45 am | Refreshment Break |
| Laurier Room | sponsored by  |
| 10:30 am | Speaker Session |
| Featuring: • Brian Chase, Vice President, International Government Affairs & Industrial Participation, Bell |
|
| 11:00 am | Spotlight UK Panel – Pathways to Partnership: Building International Partnerships to Secure our Future Growth |
|
Moderator: • Alex Milward, HM Trade Commissioner for North America, UK Government Panelists: • Simon Cooper, Senior Business Development Director – UK Defence Sector, Qinetiq • Nour Eid, Head of Strategy, ATI • Peter Girvan, Business Development Manager, Denroy Limited • Nigel Green, Defence Campaign Manager, Airbus Defence and Space • Julie Marionneau, Director of International Relations, ADS Group • Fiona Walters, Chief Executive Officer, UK & Europe, Serco UK |
| 11:45 am | Speaker Session |
| Featuring: • Major-General Richard Schmidt, OMM, MSC, MSM, CD, Chief of Force Development, Canadian Armed Forces sponsored by  |
|
| 12:10 pm | Networking Lunch |
| Laurier Room & Ballroom | sponsored by  |
| 1:30 pm | Panel |
| Moderator: • Mike Mueller, President and CEO, AIAC Panelists: • Micael Johansson, President and CEO, Saab • Matthew Crawley, Vice President and General Manager — Canada, CAE • Ivan Zhang, Co-Founder, Cohere |
|
| 2:00 pm | Speaker Session |
| Featuring: • Guillaume Chevasson, Chief Executive Officer, Airbus Canada |
|
| 2:30 pm | Speaker Session |
| Featuring: • Stephen Isaacs, General Manager, Lockheed Martin Canada Rotary & Missions Systems (RMS) |
|
| 3:00 pm | Refreshment Break |
| Laurier Room | sponsored by  |
| 3:30 pm | Speaker Session |
| Featuring: • David Coletto, Founder, Chair and CEO, Abacus Data |
|
| 4:00 pm | Speaker Session |
| Featuring: • Michael Derman, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO, EVIO |
|
| 4:15 pm | Spotlight UK Panel – UK & Canada: Next Generation Combat Air Collaboration Opportunities |
|
Moderator: • Mike Mueller, President and CEO, AIAC Panelists: • Rob Biggs, Business Development Executive – Defence Future Programmes, Rolls-Royce • Ian Duguid, Head of Tempest, MBDA UK • Richard McKie, Air Executive Canada, BAE Systems Air • Matt Peterson, Head of FCAS Campaigns, Leonardo UK |
| 5:00 pm | Day 1 Closing Remarks |
| Featuring: • Co-Master of Ceremonies Stephanie Bento, Manager, Public Affairs & Marketing, MHIRJ Aviation Group • Co-Master of Ceremonies Sandra Buckler, Senior Director, External Affairs and Public Relations, Bombardier |
|
| 5:00 pm | Annual Aerospace Reception (cocktail) |
| Laurier Room | sponsored by |
| 6:30 pm | Annual Aerospace Dinner |
| Ballroom | Featuring Special Guest Speakers: 🇨🇦 • The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry, Government of Canada 🇺🇦 • Andrii Plakhotniuk, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada Dinner sponsored by  Annual Aerospace Reception sponsored by James C. Floyd Award sponsored by  Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by  Small Business Innovation Technology Award sponsored by Marc Garneau Award sponsored by Centerpieces sponsored by 
|
Wednesday, October 28
Defence Drone Initiative Consultation
Canada’s drone ecosystem is evolving with new opportunities in defence and security.
Join industry leaders, government officials, and DND experts for this invitation-only event to explore all that is possible with Canada’s drone policy, capabilities and future opportunities.
Explore. Connect.
Shape Canada’s Drone Future.
OCTOBER 28th, 2026
2:00 – 4:15 pm
Registration fee:
- AIAC members and others attending the Summit: $50.00
- AIAC members not attending the Summit: $100.00
- NON members: $125.00.
Industry Consultation Speakers
Senan Houlihan
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
OBJEXIS AI
View Profile
Glen Lynch
President and Chief Executive Officer
Volatus Aerospace
View Profile
Mouhab Meshreki
Director General
Aerospace Research Centre
View Profile
Heather Murphy
Director of Air Procurement
Defence Investment Agency (DIA)
View Profile
Josh Ogden
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer
AVSS
View Profile
Colonel Paolo Pavese
Director Army Innovation and Experimentation
Department of National Defence
View Profile
Lieutenant-Colonel Nick Verreault
Head
Joint Uncrewed Systems (UxS) Office
View Profile
Hotel Accommodation
Hotel rooms are SOLD OUT.
Les Suites Hotel
Stay in the heart of downtown Ottawa.
Relax like you’re at home.
Located just steps from the historic ByWard Market and other local attractions, Les Suites Hotel Ottawa provides easy access to major travel routes and is approximately 20 minutes from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.
Les Suites Hotel offers a premium all-suite experience in the heart of downtown, providing significantly more value with one, two, and three-bedroom suites ranging from 700 to 1,240 square feet. Designed for both short-term visits and extended stays, our condominium-sized accommodations feature separate living and sleeping areas, fully equipped kitchens, and the spaciousness of a private residence for the price of a standard hotel room.
Take advantage of our Canadian Aerospace Summit Rates
Suite Accommodation Rates (click on each suite type for video):
| Modern One Bedroom Suites | from $325/night (single/double occupancy) |
| Modern Executive One Bedroom | from $355/night (single/double occupancy) |
| Modern Two Bedroom Suites | from $435/night (single/double occupancy) |
| Modern Two Bedroom Family Suites | from $455/night (single/double occupancy) |
Notes:
- Rates subject to applicable taxes.
- $25/night for each additional person.
- Parking if required is an additional $33.00CAN/day (plus applicable tax) with unlimited in/out access.
- Complimentary Wireless High Speed Internet.
Reservations can also be made by calling the hotel direct:
Reservations: (613) 232-2000
Toll free: (800) 267-1989
By email: iv411.rescoor@innvesthotels.com
PLEASE QUOTE GROUP ID CODE: 177917
**Please note that Les Suites Hotel Ottawa and the AIAC conference planners are NOT affiliated in any way with a third-party booking agency. Please book your hotel rooms by calling the hotel or using the official registration link.**
Dave Caddey Memorial Scholarship
The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) is proud to present the Dave Caddey Memorial Scholarship, supporting students in their choice of a career in aerospace, space and defence sectors.
AIAC is committed to ensuring the long-term success of aerospace in Canada. In establishing this scholarship, AIAC will help Canadian aerospace companies of all sizes to have the resources they need to grow and enhance their competitiveness.
Applications Now Open!
Applications are now open for the 2026 Dave Caddey Memorial Scholarship, supporting the next generation of talent pursuing careers in Canada’s aerospace, space and defence sectors.
The 2026 scholarship winner will receive:
- Financial assistance towards their post-secondary education
- Travel and Hotel expenses paid to attend the Canadian Aerospace Summit – Canada’s premier aerospace & defence conference taking place Oct 27 & 28, 2026 in Ottawa, ON
- Opportunity to attend all conference sessions
- One-on-One networking opportunities with key aerospace leaders and professionals
Applications close Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Late applications will not be considered.
About Dave Caddey
David N. Caddey was a Canadian space industry leader and visionary. For nearly thirty years, he worked at MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA), serving as President of MDA’s Space Missions division and as Executive Vice President. During this time, he oversaw several of their major programs and lent his management and leadership skills to some of Canada’s most advanced space programs, includ- ing the construction of the RADARSAT-2 spacecraft and its associated ground infrastructure as well as the construction of the International Space Station Mobile Servicing System.
Mr. Caddey began his career in the military, spending 19 years holding various technical and engineering positions in the Canadian Air Force before joining MDA in 1986.
A dedicated advocate for Canada’s space industry, he served as both Director and President of the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver, and on the Board of Directors of the US Space Foundation. He also had a long history of leadership at AIAC, including roles as Chair, a member of the board of Directors, and Chair of the AIAC Space Committee. He also played a leading role in developing the space industry’s contributions to the 2012 Emerson Review on Aerospace and Space.
Mr. Caddey held a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science from Royal Military College in 1976 and 1971, respectively. In 2014, Mr. Dave Caddey was awarded the James C. Floyd Award by AIAC for his exceptional contribution to the development of Canada’s space industry. He passed away in September 2015.