Official Conference of the Ontario Defence Association
Official Conference of the Ontario Defence Association
Two days of defence-sector insight, technology showcases, market intelligence, and business development at Best Defence Conference 2026.
Program subject to change. Additional speakers and session details may be updated as confirmed.
Best Defence Conference 2026 brings together defence, aerospace, public safety, government, military, procurement, technology, and supply chain leaders for two focused days of programming, exhibits, networking, and partnership development.
Canadian Armed Forces and defence-sector updates on emerging requirements, capability priorities, and market direction.
Sessions exploring Canada's defence industrial base, procurement, trade, and sector development.
Focused presentations from companies bringing emerging technologies and dual-use capabilities to the defence market.
Coffee breaks, lunch periods, exhibit-floor activity, B2B networking, and the evening reception.
Heather Pilot, Pilot Hill Ltd. · Peter Studer, CFN Consultants (MC)
Col Robert Tyler · Col R.A.J. Richard Jollette · Cdr(N) Greg Zuliani · Col Christopher S. Sines · Col Blair McNaught
A feature session bringing together Canadian Armed Forces requirements leaders across air, ISR, naval, land, and special operations.
Manitoulin Group · Modern Requirements · Interknowledgy · Julio Villafuerte, Centreline (Windsor) Ltd.
Additional participants to be confirmed.
Peter Saunders, Director General — Integrated Air and Missile Defence
Major-General David Abboud, Commander, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, DND
Wendy Handwen, ADM Policy — Industry, Defence Industrial Strategy · David Hutchison, DG Trade Strategy & Chief Trade Commissioner, Global Affairs Canada
Additional ISED / defence industrial strategy participants to be confirmed.
Mina Johl, CEO, NAVETRA by Purple Wins · Jean Filion, CEO, Canadian Special Warfare Lab · Neil Beaton, Sr. Director BD, DRT Cyber
Additional participants to be confirmed.
Cameron King, CPPO, Regional Service Line Leader, Contract Services, Defence Construction Canada
Day 01 program subject to change.
Heather Pilot, Pilot Hill Ltd. · Peter Studer, CFN Consultants (MC)
50-minute panel session.
Guillaume Decot, Political Counsellor, Delegation of the European Union to Canada
Peter Dawe, BDC
Commodore Sam Sader, Chief of Joint Capabilities Integration
Day 02 program subject to change.
The Technology Showcase is a key feature of Best Defence Conference, giving companies a focused opportunity to present emerging technologies, innovation, and dual-use capabilities directly to the conference audience.
Meet companies, suppliers, partners, and stakeholders.
Connect with potential partners, clients, suppliers, and government stakeholders.
Continue conversations during the Day 01 reception on the exhibit floor.
Two focused days of programming, exhibits, networking, and business development at RBC Place London.