DEFSEC West
Building on a Proven Formula

TRADE SHOW & CONFERENCE REPORT

BY JOETEY ATTARIWALA

The Canadian defence industry is preparing for a significant new addition to its calendar of trade shows with the launch of DEFSEC West, a new event set to debut in Calgary, Alberta, from March 24-26, 2026.

The event is being developed by the same team that organizes DEFSEC Atlantic, a highly successful defence trade show that has grown over the past two decades in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Recognized as an important defence networking event in Canada, DEFSEC Atlantic has built its reputation on fostering connections between major prime contractors and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The event’s success in Atlantic Canada has provided the foundation and inspiration for expanding westward, filling a long-recognized gap in the western Canadian defence landscape.

DEFSEC Atlantic has become a fixture of the Canadian defence industry calendar, attracting leading companies such as Irving Shipbuilding, Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris, and benefitting from the support of organizations like the Atlantic Canada Aerospace and Defence Association (ACADA). What began as a modest event with just over 1,000 attendees has steadily grown to attract more than 1,800 participants annually. Its open-door policy allows any company, whether national or international, to participate, creating an inclusive environment where primes and SMEs can meet on equal footing. This formula of accessibility, a strong B2B focus, and regional identity has been key to DEFSEC Atlantic’s growth, and it is one that the organizers plan to replicate with DEFSEC West.

READ: DEFSEC ATLANTIC – Trade Show Report

For Colin Stephenson, Executive Director of DEFSEC Atlantic and now DEFSEC West, the idea of expanding into Western Canada reflects both industry demand and a recognition of the growing role that defence plays across the country. With Canada making major procurement commitments in recent years such as the purchase of F-35 fighter jets, the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program, and ongoing naval shipbuilding projects, the need to build and strengthen the defence supply chain has never been greater. Stephenson emphasizes that large prime contractors depend heavily on SMEs to provide specialized services and localized capabilities. Events like DEFSEC Atlantic, and soon DEFSEC West, will serve as a catalyst for building these supply chain connections.

READ: CDR @ DEFSEC 2025 Highlights

CALGARY TO HOST DEFSEC WEST

Calgary was chosen as the host city for DEFSEC West after careful consideration of accessibility, infrastructure, and the concentration of regional defence players. “In looking for a location, we were looking for a couple of things: ease of travel for the primes from Ottawa, and then ease of travel for the SMEs from all over Western Canada and the North,” Stephenson told CDR. “Our event in Halifax typically has a 10 to 15% mix of international participants. Typically, it’s been largely American with a good sprinkling of European. But there have been years we’ve had over 30 countries attend DEFSEC Atlantic, and we want to have that same flavor in the West, so we’ll see where that comes from as we cultivate it. Looking at flights, accommodation, facilities and the concentration of primes, we felt Calgary was an excellent choice, and we found a wonderful facility in the Telus Centre in Calgary, which strangely mirrors the physical feel of the Halifax Convention Center, which is on a vibrant pedestrian street with hotels, bars, and restaurants surrounding the facility. We found the exact same thing in Calgary.”

The decision to expand into Calgary also highlights the importance of regional identity in shaping the new event. While DEFSEC Atlantic has always reflected the culture and strengths of Atlantic Canada’s defence community, DEFSEC West will aim to represent the unique character and priorities of Western Canada. This means placing emphasis on industries and themes that are particularly relevant to the region, including infrastructure, construction, and energy-related companies, as well as increasing participation from Indigenous-owned enterprises and organizations. With defence procurement projects increasingly emphasizing Indigenous engagement and partnerships, it is hoped that DEFSEC West will become an important venue for advancing those discussions.

As with DEFSEC Atlantic, the central pillar of DEFSEC West will be its strong B2B format, designed to maximize efficiency and value for participants. The event’s structured meeting system ensures that SMEs have opportunities to connect directly with decision-makers from prime contractors. This approach facilitates smaller companies’ access to networking opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach — a model that has proven highly effective in Halifax.

INDEPENDENCE FROM
GOVERNMENT INFLUENCE

Stephenson is also clear about what makes DEFSEC events distinctive: independence from government influence. “Because our organization doesn’t take any direct government core funding, we’re not influenced by date, theme, content or speakers in the government. Government facilitators at all levels are essential. Canadian Federal, Indigenous Nations, Provincial and even Municipal programming, training and trade mission support are critical to help SMEs gain experience and qualifications to participate in supply chain roles. What drives our content is the participant companies. We allow them to develop the theme, and we allow it to follow the market, so we won’t come to Western Canada and tell people what they should be talking about. We’ll be letting that conversation evolve by presenting them with a great trade show and networking opportunity, and they’ll fill in the content.”

DEFSEC West also has potential to draw interest from the Indo-Pacific region. Calgary’s position as a hub for direct international flights offers a logistic advantage, making the event accessible to global participants and creating opportunities for Canadian companies to build international partnerships.

The timing of DEFSEC West also aligns with a period of significant momentum in Canadian defence procurement. With large-scale projects underway across all domains, the need for industry engagement has never been greater. Western Canada is home to a diverse range of SMEs and emerging companies that stand to benefit from increased exposure to prime contractors and international partners. By providing a venue for these connections, DEFSEC West will help ensure that regional companies are positioned to contribute to Canada’s evolving defence and security landscape. The organizers are confident that DEFSEC West can replicate the growth trajectory of its Atlantic counterpart, becoming an annual highlight for Western Canada’s defence industry.

The combination of proven experience, strong industry demand, and the unique opportunities offered by Calgary’s location give DEFSEC West every chance to succeed. As Stephenson and his team prepare for the inaugural event in 2026, the anticipation within the industry is already building and is exemplified by Calian being the first prime to partner in both space and sponsorship for the event.

The success of DEFSEC Atlantic has shown what is possible when industry comes together in an open and collaborative environment, and DEFSEC West promises to bring that same energy and opportunity to Western Canada.

Joetey Attariwala is CDR’s Senior Staff Writer