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Records are set to fall next week at CANSEC 2014, Canada’s premier defence trade show, as booth sales, meal events and overall number of registrants challenge the record-setting figures from last year. CANSEC 2014, hosted and organized by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI), takes place on May 28-29 at the EY Centre in Ottawa.
The event, the largest of its kind in Canada, features more than 10,000 registrants, 335 exhibiting companies over 120,000 square feet, almost 3,000 attendees at breakfast and luncheon keynote events, and delegations and embassy representatives from more than 30 countries visiting to see what Canadian companies have to offer. The Honourable Robert Nicholson, Minister of National Defence, and Lieutenant-General Guy Thibeault, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, are keynote speakers on day one, while the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Member of Parliament Erin O’Toole, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, are the keynote speakers for day two.
“A robust domestic defence industrial sector brings significant economic and sovereignty related benefits,” said Tim Page, CADSI president. “Even in the face of a softening in Canadian and American defence spending, the continued growth of our trade show is evidence of a domestic industry that produces world-class equipment and services, and, with a level playing field, can compete and win in the international marketplace.”
A number of related events are being held on May 27 in conjunction with CANSEC, including:
- The annual Quadrilateral Conference: CADSI will host its Australian, British and American defence industrial association equivalents at the Hilton Garden Inn adjacent to the CANSEC venue. Senior industry leaders and government officials will discuss the outlook for the four national defence budgets, whether export reforms and defence trade treaties are making a difference, and how the defence and security business can deliver more through greater collaboration. Quad conference attendees will also be visiting the CANSEC trade show.
- A National Research Council (NRC) tour: By special arrangement, CADSI members are invited to tour the NRC’s research and testing facilities in Ottawa. Members will learn how these facilities have been used by defence and security companies and government departments to solve technical problems, trigger innovation and new ideas, accelerate technology commercialization, and increase certainty around technology choices in programs.
- The CANSEC WiDS/CADSI Memorial Golf Tournament: The Women in Defence and Security organization is hosting a golf tournament in support of a Memorial Scholarship to help provide financial assistance to deserving women pursuing an education in defence and security. The tournament will be held at the Hylands Golf Club at the Ottawa Airport, adjacent to the CANSEC venue.
