ACADA’s Defence Trends Symposium is making a comeback this year! We have a great program lined up and this is an event you don’t want to miss so be sure to mark your calendars!
The Defence Trends Symposium is an intimate industry forum that brings together 150+ leaders from industry, government and academia as an opportunity to bring awareness to Canada’s defence procurement priorities/programs and other supply chain opportunities, to discuss key challenges and opportunities in the sector, to explore the various programs and tools to support the development of our Atlantic Canadian aerospace, defence and security industries, and to network!
Presentations & Panel Sessions | Exhibit Display Opportunities | Sponsorship Opportunities
Networking Events | B2B/B2G Program | And more!
Check out our sponsorship package for sponsor opportunities!
For questions or to secure your sponsorship, reach out to [email protected].
Defence Trends Symposium 2023 | Program Schedule
*Program and timings are subject to change while we are finalizing our event program. Please be sure to check back regularly for the most current program schedule. All events will be held at the Delta Beausejour unless otherwise specified.
1:30pm – 3:30pm Université de Moncton Tour *New Addition*
Discover it’s beautiful Moncton campus and meet the researchers that are the pillars of the university’s expertise in robotics, thin films and photonics, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and quantum physics.
Transportation will be provided, departing from the Delta Beauséjour at 1:30 pm. Lab visits and informal discussions with the researchers. Return to the hotel by 3:30 pm.
To sign up, simply send an email to Pauline Roy at: [email protected]
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm Opening Networking Reception
7:00 am – 8:00 am Networking Breakfast & Registration | Sponsored by DEFSEC Atlantic
8:00 am – 8:20 am Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:20 am – 9:00 am Keynote Address: Recalibrating Canadian Defence for an Era of Great Power Competition
David Perry, President & Senior Analyst | Canadian Global Affairs Institute
The Russian-Ukrainian war has triggered reflection across the West about the nature of modern conflict and the state of military preparedness and Canada has been undertaking a review of its defence policy since April of 2022. After over a year of conflict in Ukraine, how is Canada thinking about its defence future?
9:00 am – 10:20 am Canadian Armed Forces Defence Procurement Outlook
An update on the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) procurement priorities across the Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Army.
Royal Canadian Navy Procurement Priorities
Cdr Dan Murphy, Director Naval Requirements (DNR) 9 | Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Air Force Procurement Priorities
Major Chad Chipchase, Pilot– Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, Director Air Requirements | Royal Canadian Air Force / Canadian Armed Forces
Canadian Army Procurement Priorities
LCol/lcol Chris Sines, Deputy Director Land Requirements & Coord (DLR Coord) / Canadian Army / Canadian Armed Forces
10:20 am – 10:50 am Networking Break & Exhibits | Sponsored by Global Intelligence Inc.
10:50 am – 11:20 am Defence Innovation Programs Updates
Kristina Proulx, Director of Innovation Operations | Defence Research and Development Canada/ Department of National Defence
Updates on the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program & NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) initiative.
11:20 am – 12:00 pm Working with Big Prime Contractors: How SMBs Succeed
Alex McPhail, President |The EXA Consulting Group
Defence procurement is complex and requires a deep understanding of the procurement policies and process. Alex will speak to the challenges for Primes, and how Small-Medium Businesses can set themselves up for success to engage in defence procurement programs.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch Break, Exhibits & Special Luncheon Presentation
12:00 pm – 12:40 pm Buffet Networking Lunch & Exhibits
12:40 pm – 1:00 pm Luncheon Presentation: Cyber Intelligence Briefing | Allen Dillon, CEO | Sapper Labs Group Inc.
The global threats in both the Cyber and Cognitive (Disinformation) warfare domains are real….and growing. The threat environment goes beyond traditional cyber security, particularly as it relates to the Defence Industrial Base. It is important that businesses understand the risks and how to arm themselves in the face of these threats.
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Introduction to Accelerated Growth Services (AGS)
Rejean Belliveau, Acting Regional Deputy Director (Atlantic & Nunavut) | Innovation Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Innovation Canada’s Accelerated Growth Service (AGS) helps entrepreneurs and businesses access the support they need to grow and scale by providing tailored services and support to Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs.
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm Enhancing your Digital Maturity to Increase your Competitiveness & Productivity
Kate Poirier, Senior Director, Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) | ISED Canada
The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) provides grants and access to interest free loans via the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to develop and deploy your digital technology plan to enable you to propel your business forward.
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Networking Break & Exhibits
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm Innovation Showcase & Connector | Sponsored by UNB Office of Research Services & Springboard
The Innovation Showcase Connector segment of our program will follow the same format as the Atlantic Aerospace & Defence Connecter event, where presenters from industry & academia will be given 3 minutes to ‘pitch’ their relevant capabilities, services, or research and development needs to the aerospace & defence sector to facilitate connections to potential new partners and opportunities.
Sign up to present at the Innovation Showcase Connector here.
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm B2B/B2G Program
Our B2B/B2G Program is now officially open! If you wish to sign up, please do so here on or before April 27th. We will do our best to accommodate your requests but please note that space is limited. There will be ample opportunities for informal networking during the conference as well.
B2B/B2G Meeting Hosts include:
| Industry Partners | Government Partners |
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Networking & Exhibits
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm Networking Reception
7:30 am – 8:30 am Networking Breakfast | Sponsored by Lockheed Martin Canada
8:30 am – 9:20 am Enabling Indigenous Engagement & Participation in Procurement
8:30 am – 8:50 am Indigenous Participation Plan (IPP) Overview
Dennis Brunner, Senior Advisor | Public Services & Procurement Canada (PSPC)
An overview of the Indigenous Participation Plan (IPP) and its application to federal procurements. The IPP ensures benefits are derived for Indigenous businesses from the economic activity associated with federal contracting, including defence procurement
8:50 am – 9:20 am Supporting Indigenous Business Engagement Through Partners
Stanley Barnaby, CEO | Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI)
Paul Langdon, Strategic Initiatives Officer | Ulnooweg Group
The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) and Ulnooweg Group are leading organizations committed to fostering Indigenous economic development in New Brunswick and across Atlantic Canada. JEDI and Ulnooweg will provide an overview of their respective organizations and how they can support you in building connections with the Indigenous business community.
9:20 am – 9:50 am Talent for Your Business Through “Earn as you Learn”
Kate Ward, Head of Early Careers | Marshall Skills Academy
Marshall Skills Academy has joined forces with the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) and the University of New Brunswick (UNB) to assist in addressing the skills gap and talent needs in New Brunswick through an innovative “earn as you learn” model to attract, develop and retain talent in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. The pilot program is launching in 2023 and Marshall is seeking forward thinking employers in New Brunswick to join as pilot partners!
9:50 am – 10:20 am Networking Break & Exhibits
10:20 am – 10:50 am Supporting Transitioning Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans
Major Christopher Oldroyd, Deputy Commanding Officer | Canadian Armed Forces Transition Unit (New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island)
The Canadian Armed Forces Transition Unit (CAF TU) NB-PE works with Veterans Affairs Canada and other partners to provide professional, personalized, and standardized transition services to CAF members and their families to enable retention or seamless transition to civilian life, while enhancing well-being. The CAF TU also ensures special attention is provided to ill and injured personnel and the families of the deceased.
Retiring or releasing veterans often seek out secondary careers in the civilian world following their military careers – learn how you can tap into this highly qualified talent pool while supporting our veteran community.
10:50 am – 11:10 am Supporting Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Reservists & Employers
Cdr Rob Alain, Liaison Officer | Director of Employer Support Programs, Canadian Armed Forces
The Defence Team’s Directorate of Employer Support Programs and the Canadian Forces Liaison Council work closely together to bring awareness to the role of our Reservists and to foster a supportive environment to enable their service to our Country and our local communities. This presentation will highlight the important role our CAF Reservists, the highly valuable skills and competencies they bring to the table, how employers can enable and support Reservists in the workplace, and the programs and supports available to both reservists and employers.
11:10 am – 12:00 pm An SME Perspective: Top Industry Concerns & Barriers in 2023
Moderator:
Victoria Belbin, Chief Executive Officer | Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association
Panelists:
Emily Smits, Chief Executive Officer | Modest Tree
Patrick Edwards-Daugherty, Chief Executive Officer & Founder | Spiri Robotics
Kieth Donaldson, Vice President – Sales & Business Development | APEX Industries Inc.
This moderated fireside chat-style discussion will focus on the key issues that are keeping our industry SMEs up at night and challenge a conversation about how to overcome these barriers.
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm Networking Lunch & Exhibits
12:45 pm – 1:45 pm Surviving Cybersecurity Certification in the Defense Industry: Cyber Threats, Cyber Security, CyberSecure Canada and the CMMC
Phil McAteer, Senior Security Consultant | Bulletproof Solutions Inc.
Join us for a discussion on all things cybersecurity, including the current cyber threat environment and trends, proactive cybersecurity best practices for SMEs, the latest updates on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), and more.
1:45 pm Wrap Up & Closing Remarks
It was an excellent event. Very well attended and the topics were current. The attendance of ACOA, DND and other government departments was appreciated and necessary to create better outcomes for Atlantic businesses into the future. Excellent work by the ACADA!
— DTS 2019 Delegate
A close-knit event where you really have the opportunity to have informal interactions and build relationships.
— DTS 2019 Delegate
Defence Trends 2023 will take place at the Delta Hotels Beausejour in Moncton, NB.
Book by Wednesday, April 19 to secure your room at $189/night through our online reservation link.
Lisa Clory
Provincial Director, New Brunswick
Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association (ACADA)