DAIR To Innovate 2025 – Past Event

Navigating Canadian Aerospace

A Day of Aerospace Breakthroughs and Bold Collaboration

On October 23, 2025, at the Bombardier Centre for Aerospace and Aviation at Centennial College’s Downsview Campus in Toronto, the third-annual DAIR To Innovate engaged 350 leaders, innovators, researchers and change-makers from across Canada’s aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DAY

The Tech Showcase: Cutting-edge prototypes and real-world applications were on display from companies, academic institutions and research teams—ranging across digital manufacturing, AI, automation and clean technologies.
The afternoon forum led by Strix Technology Group, featuring the INSAT/INTAD program: attendees heard directly from participating companies about current projects, funding pathways and how to join the journey.
Networking in full gear: With 350 participants, the event was rich with collaboration opportunities—connecting industry executives, researchers, start-ups and policy stakeholders.

STANDOUT MOMENTS

A special address from the Honourable Victor Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, highlighting the province’s continued commitment to growing Canada’s aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors.
The launch of the next round of the DAIR Green Fund, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable aviation and supporting companies developing cleaner, smarter and more efficient technologies.
Strix Technology Group’s major project reveals, showcasing the newest wave of research and industry partnerships driving forward digital transformation and supply-chain innovation.

Hosting Partners

Featured Forum

Premier Partners

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Tech Showcase Partners

8:00am – 9:00am	Registration
9:00am – 9:25am	Welcome Remarks Phil Arthurs (DAIR)
9:25am – 10:35am	The State of the A&D Industry Panel – Sylvain Boisvert (Safran Canada), Marilyn Gadoury Wo (Bombardier), Rina Taddei (Air Canada), Janet Wardle (De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited) Moderator – Natasha Gagnon (OAC)
10:35am – 10:55am	Manufacturing and supply chain trends and innovations Christy Michalak (NGen)
10:55am – 11:30am	Break: Tech Showcase & Networking
11:30am – 11:50pm	Workforce, Upskilling & Industrial Training Florent Lefevre-Schlick (McMaster University)
11:50am – 12:15pm	Demystifying CMMC and CPCSC (include a couple of Q&A) Jonathan Clow (123 Cyber)
12:15pm – 1:20pm	Lunch: Tech Showcase & Networking
1:20pm – 1:35pm	Innovation for Growth: Turning Setbacks into Strengths Melissa Swain (Nav Canada)
1:35pm – 2:00pm	Fireside chat: M&A Trends and Activity in Aerospace Daniel Dobrjanski (Groupe DCM), Peter Graham (KPMG), and Frédéric Loiselle (Thrust Capital Partners)
2:00pm – 2:20pm	Digital Technology Adoption Guy Dulude (Siemens)
2:20pm – 2:30pm	Transition Phil Arthurs (DAIR) and Michel Dion (Strix)
2:30pm – 3:00pm	Break: Tech Showcase & Networking

INSAT FORUM
3:00pm – 4:35pm	Announcement Michel Dion (Strix) Presentation – INSAT Program Updates Denis Godin (Strix) Innovative & Sustainable SME INSAT Projects Panel – Phil Cole (Cert Centre Canada), Michael Melville (Superwake), Keith Strachan (BioFlight Fuels) Moderator – Julien Caudroit (Strix) Special guest discussion
4:35pm – 4:45pm	Closing Remarks Dr. Christopher Damaren (UTIAS and DAIR)
4:45pm – 6:30pm	Reception

Navigating Canadian Aerospace

A Day of Aerospace Breakthroughs and Bold Collaboration

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DAY

STANDOUT MOMENTS

Speakers

Phil Arthurs

Sylvain Boisvert

Julien Caudroit

Jonathan Clow

Phil Cole

Michel Dion

Daniel Dobrjanski

Guy Dulude

Hon. Victor Fedeli

Marilyn Gadoury Wo

Natasha Gagnon

Denis Godin

Peter Graham

Florent Lefevre-Schlick

Frédéric Loiselle

Michael Melville

Christy Michalak

Christopher Damaren

Keith Strachan

Melissa Swain

Rina Taddei

Janet Wardle

Event Sponsors