Program
BEYOND TECHNOLOGY:
From Idea to Adoption
For its 10th edition, the International Aerospace Innovation Forum goes beyond showcasing cutting-edge technologies. The 2026 program focuses on a central question: how ideas emerge, evolve, scale, and are ultimately adopted across the aerospace industry.
Built around three core thematic pillars, the program explores practical pathways to transform innovation into lasting impact—locally and globally.
Key program pillars
SOVEREIGNTY AND DEFENSE
Building agile and sovereign supply chains, leveraging offsets as innovation drivers, and scaling dual-use technologies across civil and defense sectors.
COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS
Examining new collaboration models between startups, OEMs, institutions, and innovation zones—from Hamburg to Montréal—to build partnerships that deliver real-world solutions.
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND SUSTAINABILITY
Addressing autonomy beyond drones, AI-driven workforce transformation, Industry 5.0, and global talent mobility to support greener, more resilient aviation.
A two-day immersive experience
Over two days, participants will benefit from:
• Expert panels and presentations
• Thematic lunch conferences
• An Exhibition Hall featuring nearly 80 booths
• A Tech Zone with over 20 innovations on display
• Tailored B2B meetings
• International networking receptions, including a cocktail held at the heart of the Exhibition Hall
The detailed program will be updated continuously on the official International Aerospace Innovation Forum 2026 website, up to the Forum on April 13–14, 2026.
8:00 - 8:30 a.m.
Doors open – Visit of the Exhibit Hall and Tech Zone – B2B
Early access to the Exhibit Hall and Tech Zone to start B2B conversations and explore solutions before the main programming begins.
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Welcome and opening remarks
This opening will set the Forum direction and will highlight the themes, goals, and expected outcomes for the two days.
Speakers
Mélanie Lussier, President, Aéro Montréal
Pascal Désilets , General manager , Espace Aéro
Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Economic Development Canada for Quebec Region
Alexandre Gagnon,Vice President, Business Development & Commercial Services
Christopher Skeete, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie
Guillaume Chevasson, CEO Airbus Canada and Responsible for the A220 Program
Ms. Tjorven Bellmann, German Canada Ambassador
9:35 - 9:45 a.m.
Keynote – Partnership Canada Germany: Allies in Innovation
This keynote will frame the strategic value of Canada Germany cooperation and will outline how collaboration can accelerate innovation and adoption across aerospace.
Speakers
Mitch Davies, President, National Research Council Canada, (CNR)
09:50 - 10:10 a.m.
Coffee break
Networking break.
10:15 - 10:45 a.m.
Aerodynamic Advisory – The age of defense and technology sovereignty: Opportunities for Canadian aerospace
This session will explore market signals and industry trends that will influence aerospace strategy, competitiveness, and investment decisions in the coming years.
Speakers
Richard L. Aboulafia, Managing Director, AeroDynamic Advisory
Kevin Michaels, Managing Director, AeroDynamic Advisory
10:50 - 11:10 a.m.
Fireside chat CAE’s vision on Defense in Canada
A strategic discussion on defence priorities and how industry will position itself to deliver capability, resilience, and innovation at scale.
Speakers
Mélanie Lussier, President, Aéro Montréal
Matthew Bromberg, President and CEO, CAE
11:15 - 11:45 a.m.
Productivity beyond the factory floor : An Organizational Transformation
Productivity gains will increasingly come from organizational alignment, not only manufacturing optimization. This panel will explore how companies will streamline decision making, reduce internal friction, and redesign cross functional operating models to improve throughput and speed. It will highlight how HR, procurement, program management, and leadership practices will shape competitiveness.
Speakers
Philippe Stas, Vice President, Services, Commercial and Innovation, Aéroports de Montréal
Nicole Sturm, Head of Aerospace and Defence, Siemens
Vincent Courtois, Head of A220 Manufacturing Engineering, Operational Excellence & Performance Management, Airbus
Paul Simard, Vice President Multi-sites Operations, Bombardier
12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Airbus luncheon conference : A filmed immersion at the heart of Airbus Canada and internationally
Intervenants
Catherine Guillemart, Head of Public Affairs Canada, Airbus representative for ICAO
1:00 p.m.
Introduction of Minister Jean Boulet
Intervenants
Pierre Pyun, Vice President, Government and Industry Affairs, Bombardier1:05 p.m.
Speech Minister Jean Boulet
Intervenants
Jean Boulet, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Government of Québec1:50 p.m.
Introductory presentation by Embraer X
Intervenants
Daniel Moczydlower, Président-directeur général, responsable des écosystèmes mondiaux d’innovation, Embraer X2:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Start ups and OEMs – Beyond the pitch
Start ups will bring speed and new technologies, but collaboration with OEMs will often stall after pilots. This panel will examine what will make partnerships scalable, including procurement pathways, certification support, integration timelines, and shared risk. Participants will learn what will turn early proof of concept into long term industrial adoption and repeatable cooperation models.
Speakers
Daniel Moczydlower, President & CEO, Embraer-X
Jarrod Morley, Senior Director Strategy & Innovation, Espace Aéro
Dave Green, Founder and CEO, Green Aerospace
Serge Helou, Vice President Global Technology & Product Strategy, CAE
2:35 - 3:15 p.m.
From Lab to Launchpad – Scaling dual use technologies
Dual use innovation will keep expanding as governments, OEMs, and investors will seek solutions that will scale commercially while strengthening national security. This panel will highlight how companies will move from research to operational deployment across both civil and defence markets. It will also show how funding, test ranges, and mission driven programs will accelerate growth and how interoperability will create new revenue opportunities.
Speakers
Leila Aliyeva, Project Director, Innovation Zones, Investissement Québec
Richard Morris, Director of Government Programs, Airbus Helicopters Canada
Bachar Elzein, CEO & Chief Technical Office, Reaction Dynamics
Marc Bigaouette, Director, Canadian Government programs, Bell Textron
Dr. Ahmad Khorchid, Director of Innovation Operations, IDeAS
3:15- 3:35 p.m.
Coffee break
Networking break.
3:40 - 4:10 p.m.
Captains of Autonomy : Steering the Integration of Intelligent Systems
Autonomy will reshape logistics, manufacturing, passenger mobility, infrastructure, and training. This panel will explore how intelligent systems will be adopted responsibly, including certification, safety, data governance, and operational integration. It will highlight what will separate pilot projects from scalable deployment and how industry will build trust in autonomous capabilities.
Speakers
Jeremy Wang, Co Founder, President and COO, Ribbit
Hunter Scharfe, CEO & Cofounder, Juno Industries
Erick Corona, Head of Systems and Operations Integration – Autonomous Flight, Wisk
David Rancourt, Associate Professor and Director of Aéro, Université de Sherbrooke
4:15 - 4:45 p.m.
Aerospace Unbound: Emerging Aircraft Programs
This panel brings together Horizon Aircraft, JetZero, and Flying Whales to explore how new aircraft architectures and propulsion concepts are transforming the future of flight. From hybrid VTOL to blended wing body aircraft and ultra heavy lift airships, the session highlights innovations redefining mobility, transport, and logistics.
Speakers
Arnaud Thioulouse, CEO, Flying Whales
Florentina Viscotchi, Chief Engineering and HO Product Development Technology and Innovation, JetZero
Brandon Robinson, CEO, Horizon Aircraft
JR Hammond, Executive Director, CAAM
4.50 p.m.
Closing remarks – Invitation to international Networking Cocktail
Intervenants
Pascal Désilets , General manager , Espace Aéro
Hubert Bolduc, President, Investissement Québec International
5:15 - 8:00 p.m.
International networking cocktail
8:00 - 8:40 a.m.
Doors open – Visit of the Exhibit Hall and Tech Zone – B2B
Early access to the Exhibit Hall and Tech Zone to start B2B conversations and explore solutions before the main programming begins.
8:45 a.m.
Welcoming Remarks
Speakers
Michael Nault, President of the Board of Directors, Aero Montreal & Espace Aero
8:50 a.m.
Soraya Martinez Ferrada speech
Speakers
Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Mayor of Montréal
9:00 a.m.
Introduction to Sustainability
Speakers
Puja Mahajan, CEO & Founder, Azzera
9:15 - 9:45 a.m
Sustainability 2050 – Where are we today and how can we shape tomorrow?
This opening will set the Forum direction and will highlight the themes, goals, and expected outcomes for the two days.
Intervenants
Jane Hupe, Deputy Director, Environment and Cleaner Energy, ICAO Air Transport Bureau
Logan Jones, Sustainability Officer Canada, Airbus
Jeremy Roehm, Chief of Technology & Partnerships – Research & Technology – ET&S, Rolls-Royce
9:45 - 10:05 a.m
Bombardier Fireside Chat on Innovation
Intervenants
David Murray, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing, IT & Operational Excellence, Bombardier
Mélanie Lussier, President, Aéro Montréal
10 :15 - 10 :45 a.m
Building Agile, Sovereign & Resilient Value Chains
This session will explore market signals and industry trends that will influence aerospace strategy, competitiveness, and investment decisions in the coming years.
Speakers
Félix Bélisle Dockrill, CEO & Co-founder, Axya
Jay Tamsett, Managing Director, Aerospace, Defense & Mobility, EY
Guillaume Gasparri, Advisor to the CEO and Head of Business Development, DCM
Max Schramm, President & CEO, Lufthansa Technik Canada
10:45 - 11:15 a.m.
Coffee break
Networking break.
11:15 - 11:45 a.m.
International R&D Models – Horizon Europe & Bilateral Success Stories
Productivity gains will increasingly come from organizational alignment, not only manufacturing optimization. This panel will explore how companies will streamline decision making, reduce internal friction, and redesign cross functional operating models to improve throughput and speed. It will highlight how HR, procurement, program management, and leadership practices will shape competitiveness.
Speakers
Ibrahim Yimer, Vice-President Transportation and Manufacturing, NRC
Björn Nagel, Founding Director, German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Frédéric Pontbriand, Senior Director, Government Incentives, BDO
Jeff Smith, Responsible for Business Development, National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR)
11h50 - 12h30
Zones of Innovation – Lessons from Hamburg to Quebec
Start ups will bring speed and new technologies, but collaboration with OEMs will often stall after pilots. This panel will examine what will make partnerships scalable, including procurement pathways, certification support, integration timelines, and shared risk. Participants will learn what will turn early proof of concept into long term industrial adoption and repeatable cooperation models.
Speakers
Angela Alvarez Garcia, Manager, Innovation Accelerator, ZAL
Guillaume Côté, CEO, CRIAQ
Manon Duclos, CEO, Technum
Michel Pioro-Ladrière, Executive Director , DistriQ
Pascal Désilets , General manager , Espace Aéro
12:35 - 1:20 p.m.
Visit Exhibit Hall and Tech Zone – B2B
1:20 - 1:50 p.m.
Luncheon conference with Pratt & Whitney
Speakers
Vince Sidwell, Principal Fellow, Advanced Technology, Pratt & Whitney Canada
1:50 - 2:20 pm
Visit Exhibit Hall and Tech Zone – B2B
2:25 - 2:55 p.m
AI-Driven Workforce Transformation
Emerging technologies such as AI, automation, and digital engineering are reshaping not only aerospace products, but the workforce itself. Companies must adapt talent strategies, training, and leadership to meet the expectations of a new generation and prepare for rapidly evolving roles.
Speakers
Allison Meyssonnier, Senior Advisor, Partnerships
Florian Falk, CEO, Soji AI
Marisa Murray, Founding President & CEO, Leaderley International
Guy Dulude, Vice President, Portfolio Development & Sales Acceleration – Canada, Siemens
3:00- 3:40 pm
Emerging Tech – New tools for school
Autonomy will reshape logistics, manufacturing, passenger mobility, infrastructure, and training. This panel will explore how intelligent systems will be adopted responsibly, including certification, safety, data governance, and operational integration. It will highlight what will separate pilot projects from scalable deployment and how industry will build trust in autonomous capabilities.
Speakers
Jean Thomassin, Executive Director New Products and Services Introduction, Pratt & Whitney Canada
Gregory Blatt, Co-Founder, H55
Frederic Parent, General Manager, Centre Technologique en Aerospatiale (CTA)
Carole El Ayoubi, Director of Education & Training, Concordia University Jeff Smith, Responsible for Business Development, National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR)
3:45 pm
Innovation Recognition awards (Germany & Canada)
3:50 - 3 :55 p.m
Event reflections: Industry outlook 2040
Program announcements and ecosystem updates.
Intervenants
Jay Tamsett, Managing Director, Aerospace, Defense & Mobility, EY
4:00 pm
Closing remarks and inivtation to the cocktail
Pascal Désilets , General Manager, Espace Aéro
