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The 2018 Canadian Aerospace Summit headlined a series of three aerospace events in the nation’s capital this week. Along with the Summit, aerospace industry leaders also attended the 2018 GARDN Conference as well as the 2018 Transport Canada Delegates Conference.
Hosted by the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC), the summit featured a world-class lineup of industry leaders, federal cabinet ministers, and business experts in a program filled with a multitude of super sessions and panels, attracting exhibitors, participants and delegations from France, the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic during its two-day conference, B2B and trade show.
Highlights of the summit included:
- Speeches by Hon. Jean Charest, former Deputy Prime Minister and Québec Premier; Hon. Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development; and Hon. Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport
- Presentations from senior executives from Airbus, Boeing, Bell, Bombardier, GE Additive, Leonardo Helicopters, NASA, Nanos Research, Telesat, as well business experts and small business executives
- A diversity panel featuring representatives from the Boston Consulting Group, BASF Canada, CAE, BDC and BMO
- Presentations of the James C. Floyd Award to Viking Air Ltd., the Small Business Innovation Technology Award to Mannarino Systems and Software Ltd., and the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. John MacDonald, co-founder of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.
- The largest trade show and B2B program in the summit’s history featuring aerospace manufacturers and innovators from across Canada and around the world.
The summit also marked the official launch of Vision 2025: Beyond our Imagination. Led by the Honourable Jean Charest, Vision 2025 will convene industry leaders, government representatives, members of the public, and other stakeholders for a cross-country series of discussions about the future of aerospace in Canada, starting on Dec. 10 in Toronto.
“The Canadian Aerospace Summit is Canada’s premier aerospace event, bringing together prominent political figures and industry leaders from global aerospace manufacturers to innovative SMEs,” said Jim Quick, president and CEO of AIAC. “We chose to kick-off the unprecedented Vision 2025 initiative at the summit, because the industry leaders are here. More than ever, the summit is the place to be to network, share intelligence, do business, and stay on top of the latest trends.”
“I would like to thank our speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees for their contribution and commitment,” said Quick. “Year after year, the summit brings together Canadian and international aerospace insight and expertise, and we look forward to continuing to grow this event in the years to come.”
The 2019 Canadian Aerospace Summit will take place on Nov. 12 to 13 at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa, Ont.
