ADSE 2015 Draws Record Attendance

September 22, 2015

ADSE 2015 draws record attendance

The Aerospace, Defence & Security Expo (ADSE), August 6-7, 2015 in Abbotsford featured two days of topical industry panels, exhibits, workshops, and guest speakers, capped off with spectacular chalet seating for a twilight performance of the Abbotsford International Airshow.

ADSE 2015 was attended by just over 400 delegates representing 178 participating companies and organizations – both numbers up from the previous year. The trade show featured 37 exhibitors, including a stand-alone UAV display which proved popular with attendees. The packed program had something for every delegate, with workshops and panel discussions focusing on key business challenges including:

Securing a place in the supply chain for small-to-medium sized companies
Partnering with the academic community in addressing aerospace R&D challenges
Responding to the rapidly changing needs of the commercial aerospace sector
Developing regulations to safely integrate UAVs into Canada’s airspace
Aligning BC’s unique capabilities with Canada’s defence ITB requirements
Utilizing federal and provincial development agencies to attract new business and investment
Finding employees with the right skills and education to meet future challenges
Bolstering your business to protect against cyber-attacks

Panel discussions were highlighted by commentary from OEM representatives like Boeing’s Gary Koessler (“We must ensure delivery to customers. Supply disruption hurts when you are running so fast…”), Airbus’s Joe Marcheschi (“The companies we’re interested in doing business with are good at managing risk and capacity planning…”), and Viking’s Dave Curtis (“BC needs to leverage off of set commitments, think outside the box and develop products that we can market globally…”).

In addition, welcoming remarks and keynote addresses were provided by a number of prominent business and political figures including:

Pat Dewar, Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin International
Mike Greenley, Vice President and General Manager, CAE Canada
Melanie Jordan, Chief Operating Officer, Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance
Hon. Ed Fast, MP, Abbotsford
Hon. Mike de Jong, Minister of Finance, Province of British Columbia
Hon. Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services, Province of British Columbia
Greg Kyllo, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Job, Tourism and Skills Training, Province of British Columbia
His Worship Henry Braun, Mayor, City of Abbotsford

The day-two schedule also featured announcements by a host of ADSE participants including: