DEFSEC Atlantic 2026

Next edition: 6–8 October 2026 Venue: Halifax Convention Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Official site: https://defsecatlantic.ca/ Registration: https://registration.defsecatlantic.ca/

DEFSEC Atlantic 2026 is presented by the Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association. The official homepage states the event takes place at the Halifax Convention Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on October 6 – 8, 2026. Online registration is live. The exhibition floor is sold out after 2025 exhibitor renewals and additional demand. B2B meeting capacity is being expanded by 40% versus 2025.

About the show

The official Why Attend page describes DEFSEC Atlantic as a major networking opportunity for the aerospace, defence and security industries — the second largest of its kind in Canada. It showcases Atlantic Canadian opportunities with worldwide reach. The event combines a trade show and a defence procurement conference, with B2B/B2G meetings, social events, expert panel discussions and presentations for defence, industry and government participants.

On-site schedule (Overall Schedule, last revised 26 July 2026)

All events take place at the Halifax Convention Centre unless otherwise noted.

• Tuesday 6 October 2026: Industry exhibition floor move-in 08:00–18:00 (Convention Level halls C1–C5). Registration desk open 08:00–21:00 (Argyle Level Atrium). Opening ceremony 19:00–19:30 and Opening Reception 19:30–21:00 (Ballroom Level).
• Wednesday 7 October 2026: Industry exhibition floor open 08:30–16:00. B2B meetings zone open 08:00–16:00 (Argyle Suite & Room 201). Registration desk 08:00–17:00. Hour of Good Cheer reception 16:00–17:00.
• Thursday 8 October 2026: Industry exhibition floor open 08:30–16:00. B2B meetings 08:00–16:00. Registration desk 08:00–16:00. Academic Day of Connection (Thursday). Exhibition move-out from 16:00.

Related online dates: Early Bird pricing deadline Sunday 30 August 2026; B2B/2GO messaging and matchmaking launch Monday 7 September 2026.

Registration

Register at https://registration.defsecatlantic.ca/. Attendee categories (official Attendee Categories page) include Industry Exhibitor, Industry Non-Exhibitor, Academic Professional, Government Employee (free), Military Member (free), Invited VIP (free), Academic Day of Connection passes (Thursday only), and Accredited Media (upon approval). Early Bird pricing for Industry Non-Exhibitor passes ends Sunday 30 August 2026; regular prices thereafter are Full Pass $440 + HST and One-Day Pass $275 + HST. Industry Exhibitor Full Pass is $350 + HST. Government-issued photo ID is required at check-in. No attendee pass includes meals except the Academic Day of Connection student/faculty lunch.

Walk-in registration is available on site; pre-registration is encouraged.

Contact (official Contact Us page)

Organizer: Nova Scotia International Air Show Association.

• Executive Director, Colin Stephenson: [email protected]; mobile +1-902-223-2099
• Main office: +1-902-465-2725
• Registration desk: +1-902-982-6985; [email protected]
• Mailing: PO Box 70053, RPO Cobequid, Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada B4C 0B1
• Civic office: 166 Ingram Drive, Fall River, Nova Scotia, Canada B2T 1A4

The official site maps the event venue as Halifax Convention Centre (Google Maps embed on Contact Us). It does not publish a street number for the convention centre.

Sources: https://defsecatlantic.ca/ ; https://defsecatlantic.ca/why-attend/ ; https://defsecatlantic.ca/overall-schedule/ ; https://defsecatlantic.ca/attendee-categories/ ; https://defsecatlantic.ca/attendee-checklist/ ; https://defsecatlantic.ca/contact-us/ ; https://registration.defsecatlantic.ca/