9797 Jasper Ave,
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1N9, Canada
May 3, 2026 - May 5, 2026
09:00AM - 04:30PM MDT
The Alberta Aviation Summit returns in May 3-5th 2026, bringing together professionals, innovators, government representatives, and industry leaders from across Alberta’s aviation community.
As the largest aviation and aerospace gathering in Western Canada, this signature event offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore industry trends, share knowledge, and shape the future of aviation in the province.
Whether you are an experienced professional, an emerging leader, or simply passionate about flight, the Summit delivers valuable insights, meaningful networking, and engaging discussions with top experts. Alberta’s aviation sector continues to expand and innovate, creating new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Join us to exchange ideas, build lasting partnerships, and strengthen the connections that drive the aviation industry forward.
Breakout Sessions focused on current market trends, leadership, inclusion, and government programs.
Networking & Gala Events offer exceptional opportunities to connect and collaborate across the industry.
Cross-Sector Networking under one roof with the Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Competition (the largest in Canada) and the Aerospace & Defence Summit, providing a unique chance to engage with industry professionals, students, and defence partners.
Tradeshow
Explore Alberta’s growing aviation, aerospace & defence ecosystem at the Summit Tradeshow. Meet organizations, suppliers, and innovators showcasing the newest technologies, products, and services shaping the industry.
Evening Gala
Celebrate excellence and connection at the Alberta Aviation, Aerospace & Defence Summit Evening Gala. Enjoy a formal dinner, live entertainment, and an evening dedicated to recognizing achievement and building new relationships across the sector.
Aircraft Maintenance Competition
The Canadian AME Competition showcases the technical skill and precision of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers. Open to the public, it also welcomes high school groups from across Alberta, giving students a chance to try hands-on activities and experience the aviation industry up close.
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| Description: | Connect with industry leaders, innovators, and partners in a relaxed evening setting. The Networking Reception offers a perfect opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas, and foster new collaborations across the aerospace and defence sectors. |
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| Description: | Inspiring Leadership, Inspiring Progress. |
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| Description: | Start the day with fresh coffee, tea, muffins, and biscuits while networking and getting ready for the sessions ahead. |
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| Description: | The Canadian AME Competition brings together teams to compete, while also showcasing the skills and talents demonstrated in the everyday role of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. While this event is open to the public, it also involves daily tours of numerous high school groups from across Alberta. Students have the opportunity to try out hands-on activities and see our industry's talented AMEs first-hand! |
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| Description: | Discover how Alberta is aligning its aviation, aerospace, and defence sectors around a shared vision. By breaking down silos and strengthening collaboration, the Provincial Council is helping build one unified industry voice to support growth, resilience, and long-term success across the province. |
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| Description: | Continuing the conversation: Discover how Alberta is bringing its aviation, aerospace, and defence sectors together. From breaking down silos to creating a unified industry voice, this dynamic group of speakers offer a high-level look at the province’s shared vision and the opportunities it creates for everyone in the sector. Be inspired by what’s next for Alberta’s industry. |
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| Description: | This session will highlight the role of Indigenous participation and partnerships within Western Canada's aviation, aerospace, and defence sectors. Speakers will explore opportunities for meaningful engagement, economic participation, and long-term collaboration across industry, communities, and governments. The discussion will focus on building respectful partnerships, supporting Indigenous-led initiatives, and identifying pathways for shared growth across the sector. |
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| Description: | This panel session will explore Alberta’s evolving aviation and aerospace manufacturing landscape. Panelists will discuss current capabilities, emerging opportunities, and what is needed to attract, grow, and retain manufacturing investment in the province. From global OEMs to local suppliers, the conversation will focus on collaboration, supply-chain readiness, workforce considerations, and Alberta’s value proposition as a manufacturing hub. |
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| Description: | This session explores how innovation, policy, and cross-sector collaboration are driving sustainable aviation. Moving beyond pledges, we’ll examine real-world progress, investment trends, and the scalable solutions reshaping the future of flight. |
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| Description: | Alberta is positioned to lead Canada’s next wave of growth in aviation, aerospace, and defence — but leadership takes investment. This session brings together the organizations driving capital, innovation, and strategic partnerships into Alberta’s sky-bound industries. From airport expansions and aerospace R&D to advanced manufacturing and defence technology, hear how Alberta’s economic development leaders are attracting global investors, supporting local companies to scale, and building the infrastructure for long-term competitiveness. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, policymaker, or investor, this is your roadmap to understanding where the opportunities are and how to get involved in Alberta’s next major growth frontier. |
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| Description: | This session will explore the evolving role of airports across Alberta, from regional connectivity to economic development and community engagement. Discussion will touch on infrastructure, events, innovation, and partnerships that support airport sustainability and growth, while positioning airports as key contributors to the broader aviation ecosystem. |
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| Description: | From day-to-day operational realities to long-term strategic planning, airline operators face increasing complexity. This session explores key trends influencing airline operations today and highlights opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and alignment across the aviation ecosystem. |
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| Description: | Maintenance is the backbone of aviation, aerospace, and defence—where safety, reliability, and mission readiness are won or lost. As fleets become more complex and operational demands intensify, cutting-edge technologies are transforming how maintenance is performed and how engineers work on the frontline. From smarter diagnostics to advanced modification techniques, innovation is accelerating at every turn. Join this breakout session to explore the technologies shaping maintenance today and the innovations set to redefine maintenance and modification tomorrow. Discover how the future of fleet support is being built—and what it means for the aircraft maintenance engineer at the heart of it all. |
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| Description: | Artist Ken Letander |
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| Description: | The Canadian AME Competition brings together teams to compete, while also showcasing the skills and talents demonstrated in the everyday role of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. While this event is open to the public, it also involves daily tours of numerous high school groups from across Alberta. Students have the opportunity to try out hands-on activities and see our industry's talented AMEs first-hand! |
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| Description: | Multi-use technologies sit at the intersection of civilian innovation and defence capability. From drones and AI to space, cybersecurity, and advanced materials, solutions built for commercial markets are increasingly critical to national security—and defence innovation is driving civilian applications in return. |
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| Description: | This panel discusses the critical, near-term barriers—public acceptance and regulatory uncertainty—facing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), the emerging ecosystem of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft (air taxis, cargo drones). |
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| Description: | As aviation and multimodal logistics evolve, technology is driving major changes across sourcing, procurement, distribution, and infrastructure. This session explores the unique complexities of the aviation supply chain, how digital transformation is improving efficiency and resilience, and the challenges of operating in remote and northern regions. Panelists will also highlight emerging career pathways and the talent needed to support a rapidly changing aviation logistics environment. |
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Elevate Aviation
| Description: | As Alberta’s aviation, aerospace, and defence sectors evolve, workforce development must shift from what is currently offered to what industry truly needs. This session brings together industry leaders, labour market forecasters, and funding representatives to discuss current and future talent demands—and the actions required to meet them. Through a panel discussion and interactive roundtables, participants will explore workforce gaps, skill alignment, and emerging opportunities. Educators and industry representatives will collaborate to identify specific training needs, supported by on-site data collection and surveys to inform future planning and policy recommendations. |
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| Description: | In 2026, AI is evolving from analytical support tools to systems that sense, fuse, prioritize, and act at operational speed. In aviation, aerospace and defence environments, this shift directly impacts mission assurance, targeting cycles, cyber resilience, and human-machine command structures. This discussion explores how organizations can maintain decision dominance while integrating adaptive AI - balancing autonomy with control, speed with oversight, and innovation with operational accountablity. |
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| Description: | Space has become a critical domain for economic resilience, national security, and technological leadership. Space superiority—the ability to access, operate in, and protect space-based assets—directly impacts aviation, defence, communications, navigation, and logistics here on Earth. This session will explore why space superiority matters to Canada and Alberta, highlighting how emerging space technologies, in-situ manufacturing, and space logistics are shaping the future of exploration, defence, and industrial capability. Speakers will discuss Alberta’s growing role in advanced aerospace and space-based manufacturing, and how innovation developed locally is contributing to global space infrastructure and next-generation supply chains. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how space capabilities support sovereignty, security, and economic growth—and why space is no longer a distant frontier, but a critical part of our industrial and defence ecosystem. |
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| Description: | Folowed by Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Competition Awards |
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Fidelity Manufacturing
Executive Flight Centre
Fidelity Manufacturing
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Fidelity Manufacturing
Fidelity Manufacturing
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University of Calgary
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