SAVE THE DATE: JULY 14-16, 2026
MASS 2025 showcased outstanding representation from industry leaders, leaders from the North and stakeholders across Canada and the UK, highlighting the strength and collaboration within our defence and aerospace sectors.
Planning for MASS 2026 has already begun. See you in St. John’s from July 14-16th, 2026!
Heading into its 13th year, ACADA’s Maritime & Arctic Security & Safety Conference (MASS) has solidified its place as the signature event for exploring the challenges and opportunities associated with northern and maritime environments. Hosted by the Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association (ACADA), MASS dives into the topic of emerging threats and how Canadian companies are leading the way to provide a safe, secure, and successful future for Canada, North America, and the world with their innovative products, services, and research in this three-day international event.
Entering into its 13th year, ACADA’s Maritime & Arctic Security & Safety Conference (MASS) has solidified its place as the signature event for exploring the challenges and opportunities associated with northern and maritime environments. Hosted by the Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association (ACADA), MASS dives into the topic of emerging threats and how Canadian companies are leading the way to provide a safe, secure, and successful future for Canada, North America, and the world with their innovative products, services, and research in this three-day international event.
Planning for MASS 2026 has already begun. We hope to announce the dates for next year’s event soon.
MASS 2026 WILL FEATURE:
200+ attendees • 15+ exhibitors • Networking breaks • Facilitated B2B/B2G meetings • 10+ expert panels and presentations • Global attendee and speaker list • Panel discussions on trending topics • Breakthrough R&D presentations
Sponsorship at MASS26 will put your business front and center during the Conference.
We will have a variety of sponsorship opportunities to suit your budget and desired brand impact.
Stay tuned for the MASS26 Sponsorship and Exhibitor opportunities as they are announced.
Although we plan to expand our exhibitor section, a limited number of spaces will be available for MASS26 event exhibitors!
These booths are an efficient way to promote your brand while interacting with our MASS26 conference guests.
Contact info@ac-ada.ca for more information!
MASS25 featured outstanding speakers and panelists. We are incredibly grateful to all of the guests who contributed to the Conference.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Leslie Canavera, CEO of PolArctic
Leslie Canavera is the CEO of PolArctic, a data science company that develops new innovative Artificial Intelligence tools to solve Arctic maritime challenges such as seasonal sea ice forecasting, rapidly calculating nearshore depths and change, precision fishing analytics, and locating habitat conditions for aquaculture.
Leslie holds an MBA with a concentration in International Business and is a veteran of the US Air Force, where she served as a commissioned officer. From the USAF, she transitioned to NGA for five years, conceptualizing programs with complex geospatial components and analytics. She left NGA to found the technology start-up PolArctic LLC to bridge the gap between science and business requirements. Leslie is Yup’ik, Alaska Native, born and raised in Alaska. She was awarded the Women in Artificial Intelligence (WAI) North America Award for AI for Good: Environmental Social Governance (ESG) for 2022, and was listed as a 2021 Forbes Next 1000 entrepreneur.
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Garry Best, President / CEO of Nunatsiavut Group of Companies
Garry Best is a Beneficiary of the Nunatsiavut Land Claim Agreement. Prior to his recent appointment as President and CEO of the Nunatsiavut Group of Companies (NGC), he was
Board Chair of the Labrador Inuit Capital Strategy Trust, the body that oversees NGC’s operations.
Garry holds both a Bachelor of Engineering from Memorial University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Naval Architecture from University College London, UK. He served in various leadership roles as an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy for more than 23 years, followed by a 17-year career as an executive in the Federal Public Service.
Garry has more than 35 years of progressively senior leadership and management experience, as well as experience working with Boards, developing corporate business strategies, managing budgets/ finances, and engaging in Indigenous-government relations.
Most recently, he was a Senior Advisor with Indigenous Services Canada as part of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB).
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Madeleine Redfern, COO, CanArctic Inuit Networks, Inc. / CEO, SednaLink Marine Systems
Indigenous woman involved in high-tech and innovation. Actively involved in transformative technologies in telecommunications, transportation and energy. COO of CanArctic Inuit Networks Inc committed to building 3000 km of marine fibre optic cable into Canada’s Arctic to significantly improve telecommunications in Inuit Nunangat and Nunavut. CEO of SednaLink Marine Systems which would transform segments of SednaLink fibre optic cable into a SMART (science monitoring and reliable telecommunications) to monitor marine climate changes, assist with environmental monitoring especially near marine protected areas plus assist in collecting marine intelligence.
As a businesswoman and a strong social advocate for transformative initiatives, Ms. Redfern’s advocacy, professional, and governance work shown her dedication and passion towards the development and delivery of programs assisting Indigenous, Inuit, northerners and Canadians that reflect their values, needs, and priorities.
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MAJOR-GENERAL P. PEYTON, MSM, CD
NATO DIANA Military Deputy Director for North America
Major-General Peyton was born and raised in Goose Bay Labrador, Newfoundland. In 1989, after five years as an Army Cadet, he enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces as an armour officer. In 1991 he joined Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), where he was privileged to command at the troop, squadron and regimental level.
Major-General Peyton’s operational experience includes tours with the United Nations Protection Force in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, NATO Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan, Operation PROTEUS with the United States Security Coordinator in Jerusalem, and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE in Iraq. He also participated in several domestic operations, including commanding a Battle Group responsible for evacuation operations in Kananaskis during Operation LENTUS, the Canadian Armed Forces’ response to catastrophic flooding in Alberta.
Above the regimental level Major-General Peyton commanded the Canadian Forces Intelligence Group, and the 5th Canadian Division of the Canadian Army. His staff appointments include Future Operations Planner in Canadian Expeditionary Forces Command, Land SOF Integration with Chief Force Development, Executive Assistant to Commander Canadian Army, Chief of Staff Support Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, Vice Director, Plans and Policy – United States Cyber Command, and most recently Chief of
Force Development.
Major-General Peyton has attended the Mubarak Al Abdullah Command and Staff College in Kuwait and the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Military Arts and Science, a Master’s degree in Military Science, and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies. He was appointed as the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) Military Deputy Director for North America in 2024.
He is married and the proud father of two exceptionally talented sons.
Planning for MASS26 has begun! We will announce more details soon, including location and registration information.
You won’t want to miss next year’s conference so check back to stay in the know. See you in St. John’s next summer!
