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SPECIAL FEATURE AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE
The value of networking
DEFSEC event will have 70 companies exhibiting By Carol Dobson
Every September, the world comes
to Halifax in the form of the Canadian
Defence Security and Aerospace Exhibition
Atlantic (DEFSEC). For three days,
this year from Sept. 6 to Sept. 8, approximately
1,200 delegates from 12 countries
around the world will come to Halifax to
develop business to business and partnerships
between leading suppliers in the
defence and aerospace industry and
members of the business community in
Atlantic Canada.
“This year we will be having 70
companies exhibiting at 100 different
booth spaces,” Colin Stephenson, the
Executive Director of DEFSEC Atlantic,
says. “The conference will take up
50,000 sq. ft. of exhibition and business
to business meeting opportunity spaces
at the Cunard Centre. It gives large
contractors involved in procurement
for the Canadian Armed Forces the
opportunity to meet with local small
and medium sized businesses who can
feed into their supply chain and, by
meeting face to face, can get a sense
if they might be a good fit.”
DEFSEC Atlantic has an open door
policy, whereby local companies are
encouraged to attend. Not only is it a
chance to open doors with companies
supplying Canadian defence and aerospace
requirements but also to meet
with representatives from the other
nations who have sent representatives
to the conference.
“The United States has a big block
of booths,” he says. “Other countries
that are attending include the United
Kingdom, Germany, France, Sweden —
mainly European countries.”
One of the important reasons why
these European countries are present is
that Halifax, especially, is the gateway
to the Maritime Provinces, and the rest
of Canada, with its position on the Great
Circle Route, a major advantage for companies
shipping either into the country
our out via the port.
Not only will NATO allies be represented,
but Stephenson says countries like
Israel and Chile will also be in attendance.
DEFSEC Atlantic is the second
largest event of its kind in the country,
combining the elements of both a
The conference will take up 50,000 sq. ft. of exhibition
and business to business meeting opportunity spaces at the
Cunard Centre. It gives large contractors involved in procurement
for the Canadian Armed Forces the opportunity
to meet with local small and medium sized businesses who
can feed into their supply chain and, by meeting face to
face, can get a sense if they might be a good fit.”
– Colin Stephenson, Executive Director, DEFSEC Atlantic
trade show and a defence procurement
conference. Throughout the three days
of the event a mixture of seminars and
social events, along with the trade show,
provide excellent opportunities for one
to one networking. The 2015 show had
almost 400 companies represented,
along with exhibitors, government
agencies, and trade commissioners.
At the event’s conclusion, more than
100 business to business and business
to government meetings had transpired.
“This year one of the panels will be
dealing with the human resources challenges
facing the aerospace and defence
industries in Atlantic Canada,” he says.
“There is a great need for skilled workers
“Representatives from DCNS present to Canadian
sailors at DEFSEC Atlantic 2015”
Photo: Greg Gidney
in both of these fields. We’re anticipating
heavy retirement in the aerospace
industry as baby boomers start retiring.
We also need skilled workers for the
ship building project. Also, when highly
trained and skilled members of the
armed forces are transitioning out of the
military, we need to have opportunities
available for them.”
Attendance at DEFSEC Atlantic
is open to the private sector and is not
restricted to members of any particular
industry association. As well, members of
the military are encouraged to attend as
it is a chance for them to meet companies
who may potentially have them as end
users of the products on display.
34 JULY & AUGUST 2016