Calgary, Alberta –The Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC) hosted DEFSEC West, March 24-26, for the first time in Western Canada that brought over 130 industry and government exhibitors and over 1,700 delegates to downtown Calgary creating approximately 3 million dollars in economic impact.
“There has not been a defense trade show that brings together talent from across Western Canada and connects them with national leaders, global primes, and key stakeholders from Ottawa until now. This event finally gives industry a focal point, a place where people can discover new capabilities, explore supply chain opportunities, and showcase the innovation happening in our region.”
Colin Stephenson, Executive Director DEFESEC West.
After hosting a conference for 24 years in Halifax, DEFSEC Atlantic, a security and defense conference bringing together leading experts, policymakers, and industry professionals from across Canada and around the globe, saw an opportunity in Calgary.
“There has not been a defense trade show that brings together talent from across Western Canada and connects them with national leaders, global primes, and key stakeholders from Ottawa until now,” said organizer Colin Stephenson, Executive Director DEFESEC West.” This event finally gives industry a focal point, a place where people can discover new capabilities, explore supply chain opportunities, and showcase the innovation happening in our region.”
The conference united leaders from federal and provincial governments, industry, and academia, along with international delegates seeking to advance collaboration and build forward‑thinking solutions that support Canada’s national security priorities.
As a premier gathering place in the heart of downtown Calgary, the CTCC continues to convene the conversations and collaborations that matter most. DEFSEC West will serve as a critical platform for dialogue on emerging security challenges, defense innovation, and cross‑sector partnerships in an increasingly complex global landscape.
“Hosting DEFSEC West reinforces the CTCC’s role as a catalyst for impactful business events that drive knowledge‑sharing, innovation, and economic growth” says Kurby Court President & CEO of the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre. “With delegates traveling from across the country and around the world, the event delivered significant benefits to our local, provincial, and national economy and definitely to Canada’s broader defense sector.”
“We’re thrilled that DEFSEC West chose Calgary and the CTCC to host their 2026 convention. Our city’s reputation for warm, welcoming hospitality fosters an environment of collaboration and innovation that defines our Blue Sky City brand,” says Carson Ackroyd, Tourism Calgary’s Senior Vice President, Sales. “DEFSEC West is a strong example of how hosting conventions helps forge business partnerships that diversify Calgary’s trade and economic opportunities while growing our visitor economy.”
“We like to think of our trade show the same way as convention centres operate. It’s not a money-making prospect, but a pathway to success. We are a receiving ground for activity by delivering the event at the CTCC, and the delegates create the economic impact through job creation,” said Stephenson when discussing the broader impact of the event.
Building a Lasting Legacy
“We want to leave a legacy in Western Canada because of the opportunity for SMEs to travel a reasonable distance, meet with each other face to face and get into supply chains on major procurement or sell direct to government,” said Colin. “Face-to-face is how you build connections. You can communicate through a computer, but you can’t build relationships.”
A powerful component of DEFSEC’s legacy is the people who make the event possible. This year, DEFSEC West is supported by an extraordinary volunteer team from Sistership, a Calgary‑based dragon boat association made up of breast cancer survivors. Their presence at DEFSEC West symbolizes everything the event hopes to champion – collaboration and the power of people coming together to create something stronger than the sum of its parts.
“Being a non-profit organization, everything relies on funding,” says Heather Hanley, member of the Sistership. “The opportunity came up to volunteer and raise money towards a team trip to France in August. At this dragon boat festival all of the teams participating are breast cancer survivors’ boats, which really is such an amazing opportunity for everyone on the Sistership team.”
About Calgary TELUS Convention Centre
The Calgary TELUS Convention Centre is focused on enhancing the services that we provide well beyond the venue—to create a place and experience that supports all events for people to convene, connect and converse together. What started as a central location for coming together has grown into the next generation of convention services and experiences.
About DEFSEC West
DEFSEC West is Western Canada’s premier aerospace and defence tradeshow, held annually in Calgary, Alberta. DEFSEC West provides a welcoming and productive environment specifically designed to gather global defence industry primes and Canadian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). By implementing a proven formula of innovation, agility, and industry-led design, the show facilitates effective partnership exploration and maximizes Canadian content within the supply chains of current and future procurements.
About Tourism Calgary
Tourism Calgary is the destination management organization that enthusiastically shares and promotes the story of our friendly Blue Sky City to those near and far. We think big – like, Canadian Rocky Mountain big – using our sales and marketing expertise to drive an annual visitor spend of over $3.3B for the local economy and advocating for our growing tourism sector, which includes 84,000 Calgarians employed in the industry. From conventions to leisure travel, sports events to music and arts, Tourism Calgary represents the city’s diverse and unexpected experiences, extending our welcoming hospitality to the over 10 million people who visit Calgary every year.
