NATO Industry Conference 2023

Description:

The exclusive one-day NATO Industry Conference 2023 will be held at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa and will provide a detailed exploration of the NATO DIANA Initiative, the role in innovation funding, and the practical application and future of dual-use technologies. The Policy Insights Forum (PIF), as the organizer of this Event, alongside its media partner, Canadian Defence Review (CDR), is honoured to have the opportunity to select the Canadian War Museum as the venue. 

The very origins of NATO find themselves reflected in the history portrayed in the Museum. In our view, there would be no more emblematic backdrop for current discussions on NATO’s initiatives in respect of technology, innovation, and defence. This Conference Event is to be opened by Senior NATO Officials from Brussels and Norfolk (USA) and the Canadian government, setting the tone for the day with an emphasis on the convergence of innovation and national security.

Objective:

Our aim is to elucidate the concept of Industrial Defence Diplomacy in today's context, set against the backdrop of significant geopolitical shifts like the Ukraine conflict. Furthermore, we strive to understand its interplay in a technologically advanced era where the boundaries between commercial and defence technologies are increasingly indistinct.

Monday, December 11, 2023, 0800 – 1700 (ET) in Partnership with the Canadian War Museum, Canadian Defence Review (CDR), and NATO Headquarters (Brussels) and Allied Command Transformation (Norfolk).

Overview:

The concept of Industrial Defence Diplomacy (IDD) as an evolving notion will be introduced by the NATO and further elaborated on by the NATO Supreme Allied Command Transformation in their interview segments. IDD and Industry engagements led by the Government of Canada through various government-funded programs all aim to encourage innovation, technological advancements, and shared risk-taking.

By redefining the concept for a more agile and enhanced ecosystem for Canada's defence industry, the Conference seeks to bring together leaders from NATO, the Government of Canada, the finance community, and industry champions into a unifying discussion to achieve a coherent policy position between the various stakeholder groups.

This Conference Event is to be opened by Senior NATO Officials from Brussels and Norfolk (USA) and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), setting the tone for the day with an emphasis on the convergence of innovation and national security.

The first Panel, "Unpacking NATO DIANA," will take a deep dive into NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) Initiative. The discussion will revolve around the application, impact, and future direction of this significant program, helping to demystify its purpose and highlighting the ways in which DIANA will influence the global defence landscape.

The second Panel, "The Role of Finance in Innovation," is to feature a dynamic discussion among finance experts, venture capitalists, and innovators on the symbiotic relationship between financial backing, technological breakthroughs, and security. The conversation will touch on investment strategies, risk mitigation, and fostering an environment conducive to financial and technological growth.

The third and final Panel, "Successful Dual-Use Technology Companies," will see company executives share their experiences and insights on the successful application of dual-use technologies. The conversation's goal is to underscore the potential for these technologies to transform both commercial and defence sectors and highlight the need for cross-industry collaboration.

During the lunch intermission, a Fireside Chat will address the role of "Academia in Technology, Innovation, and National Defence." Respected academicians and industry stalwarts deliberate on the vital part universities play in policy formulation, technological advancements, and defence strategies, emphasizing the need for a robust academia-industry-defence collaboration.

The lunch intermission will be followed by remarks from Transatlantic Emerging Leaders (TEL), Federal Fleet Services and the Business Council of Canada, who will kick-start the afternoon Marketplace segment, an interactive showcase of new technologies and their potential applications in both the commercial and defence sectors.

Schedule:

0730

Doors Open and Registration Begins at the Canadian War Museum – 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa
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Refreshments Sponsored by Calian

0800-0845

Location: Barney Danson Theatre
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•       Joint Welcome Remarks and Land Acknowledgment – Goran Samuel Pesic, Chair, PIF, and Aliénor Peyrefitte, President, Transatlantic Emerging Leaders
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•       Territorial Welcome – Savanna McGregor, Grand Chief of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation Tribal Council and Wolf Lake First Nation Representative
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•       Traditional Smudging Ceremony – Shirley Commanda, Elder
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•       Canadian National Anthem – Corporal (Ret’d) Craig Kennedy
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•       NATO Hymn
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•       Introductory Speech on the Important Role of War History and Mandate of the Museum– Caroline Dromaguet, President and CEO of the Canadian War Museum and of the Canadian Museum of History

0845-0900

Keynote Speech from Dr. Jaspinder Komal, Assistant Deputy Minister, Defence Research and Development Canada, Department of National Defence, Government of Canada

0900-0925

Conference Opening
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•       Thank You to Dr. Komal by Vice-Admiral (Ret'd) Mark Norman
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•       ‍Introduction of the Plenary Interview with Général Philippe Lavigne, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) with Vice-Admiral (Ret'd) Mark Norman
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•      Message from James Appathurai, Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, NATO Headquarters
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0925-1015

Panel 1 – Unpacking DIANA: Reinvigorating NATO’s Industry Relations, Sponsored by Saab
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‍Moderator: Fatima Atik, Executive Director, PIF‍
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•       Moritz Zimmermann, Chief of Staff (UK regional office), NATO DIANA
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•       Kadi Silde, Chief Operating Officer (UK regional office), NATO DIANA
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•       Philippe Hébert, Director General Innovation, DRDC, & Canadian Board Member, NATO DIANA
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•       Barbara McQuiston, Chairwoman, NATO DIANA Board, US Government
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•       Duncan Stewart, Partner, Deep Tech Venture Fund, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

1015-1030

Sponsored Coffee Break by BluMetric Environmental

1030-1115

Panel 2 - Funding Defence Innovation: The Role of Finance in Enabling Technology Development and Commercialization, Sponsored by NATO DIANA
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Moderator: Claude Robillard, Founder and Principal, 43 North Group
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•       Blake C. Goldring, Executive Chairman, AGF Management Limited

•       Thomas Park, Lead Partner, Deep Tech Fund, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
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•       Catherine Blewett, President, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
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•       Andrea Traversone, Managing Partner, NATO Innovation Fund
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•       Glenn Cowan, Founder and Managing Partner, One9

1115-1120

Health Break and Sponsored Coffee Break by BluMetric Environmental

1120-1210

Panel 3 – Industry Leaders from Dual-Use Technology Companies, Sponsored by Samuel Group
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Moderator: Vice-Admiral Guy Robinson, Chief of Staff, Allied Command Transformation, NATO
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•       Sean Roche, National Security Director, AWS
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•       Steve Patrick, Vice-President, Bombardier Defense
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•       Jeff Tasseron, Director of Business Development & Strategy, Defence & Security, CAE
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•       Kevin Ford, President and CEO, Calian Group
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•       Chris Pogue, President and CEO, Thales Canada
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•       Jim Landon, President, ATCO Frontec

1210

Closing Remarks by Brett Kitchen, Publisher, Canadian Defence Review Magazine

1215-1300

Location: Lobby
Transition from Barney Danson Theatre to Lobby for a Lunch Sponsored by CAE with Light Refreshments and Drinks

1215-1245

Fireside Chat – Academia in Technology, Innovation, and National Defence, Sponsored by Quantox Canada
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Moderator: Dr. Philippe Lagassé, Barton Chair, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University
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•       Aaron Shull, Managing Director and General Counsel, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
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•       Dr. Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé, Full Professor, Bishop’s University
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•       Dr. Alex S. Wilner, Associate Professor of International Affairs Expertise Deterrence Theory and Strategic Studies, Carleton University
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•       Roman Shimonov, CEO of Roshel Armored Vehicles and Executive Master of Business (EMBA) Program, University of Toronto

1300-1305

Aliénor Peyrefitte, President, TEL, Thank You to NATO Industry Conference Title Sponsor, Federal Fleet Services and Introduction to Presenter John Schmidt, President and CEO, Federal Fleet Services

1305-1330

Presentation by John Schmidt, President and CEO, Federal Fleet Services

1330-1335

Partnering to Win Major Defence Contracts

Alex McPhail, President of The EXA Consulting Group and Author of "Win Big the EXA Way", dives into the collaboration challenges SMEs and Prime Contractors face in Canadian defence contracts.

1335-1340

Introduction to Special Marketplace Kick-off Speaker by Goran Samuel Pesic, Chair, PIF

1340-1440

Special Marketplace Kick-off by Goldy Hyder, President and CEO, Business Council of Canada

1440-1700

Location: Lobby
Marketplace Begins
Open floor meetings between participating companies, financers, NATO, and Government of Canada officials

1700

End of Program

* Disclaimer: All Speakers listed in the Program have been invited by the Event Organizers to participate. Individuals are subject to their availability.