GCXpo 2026

Enjoy lunch, connect with fellow attendees and explore more of the GCXpo experience before afternoon programming begins.

Connect with fellow attendees and continue the morning’s conversations. Refreshments are brought to you by Evertz Microsystems, with support from official networking sponsors BLG and WSP.

What must Canada build, own and control? This panel will examine the technologies, capabilities and intellectual property required to strengthen Canada’s defence sovereignty. Moderated by Jennifer Stewart, Founder and CEO of Syntax Strategic and Co-Founder of The Honest Talk, the discussion will feature Glenn Cowan, ONE9; Kath Intson, Sentinel R&D; Mike Sekerka, Ranovus; Natalie Raffoul, Brion Raffoul LLP and Fortress IAM; and Sam Witherspoon, ANVIL.

The Defence Stage concludes with thanks to GCXpo’s sponsors, demonstrators and speakers, along with final reminders for attendees.

What is the missing link between innovation and procurement? This session will explore the testing, validation and procurement pathways required to move promising defence technologies into real-world use. Moderated by Rebecca Thompson, Director of Defence Programming and Operations at Area X.O, the panel will feature Alfio Marrello, TÜV SÜD; Christopher Pitfield, Volaryn Defence Solutions; Glen Lynch, Volatus Aerospace; Kevin Toderel, Remote Robotic Systems Inc. and AirMetal Remote Robotics; Paul Ziadé, North Vector Dynamics; and Peter Dawe, BDC.

How can Canada build trusted autonomous systems for the modern battlespace? Moderated by Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa, Area X.O and Bayview Yards, this panel will bring together Josh Ogden, AVSS; Hugo Hodgett, H2 Analytics; Nick Verreault, Canadian Armed Forces; LGen Stuart Beare, Accenture; and Tim Muchmore, Redwire Defense Tech Canada.

Explore the role of sovereign 5G, resilient networks and advanced communications in the future of defence operations. Moderated by Howard Stanley, Federal Business Development Leader at Cisco Systems Canada, the panel will feature Chris Pogue, Calian Group; Noah Ray, Area X.O; Rob Graham, Genwave Technologies; Swati Chakravarty-Marcon, CCI Antennas and BLiNQ Networks; and Yasmin Mosheni, Eutelsat.