Ottawa Tourism is increasing its focus on defense, security, and cybersecurity meetings. The strategy comes as Canada expands investment in those sectors and seeks stronger international partnerships.
The timing gives the destination strategy added relevance. Canada reached the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) benchmark of spending 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense in fiscal year 2025–26. Canada and its NATO allies have also committed to a new defense investment target of 5 percent by 2035.
Meanwhile, Canada is seeking to diversify its international relationships amid trade tensions with the United States. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has pursued deeper cooperation with Europe in areas including defense, artificial intelligence, energy, and critical minerals.
As a result, Ottawa Tourism sees an opportunity to attract meetings that bring government, industry, researchers, and international organizations together in Canada’s capital.
Connecting Meetings With Ottawa’s Security Sector
Ottawa is home to federal institutions, diplomatic missions, universities, and technology companies. The city also has organizations working in defense, cybersecurity, aerospace, artificial intelligence, and advanced communications.
“Ottawa’s strength in this sector is not simply that it is Canada’s capital. It is that defence, security, cyber, diplomacy and innovation actively intersect here. For event organisers, that creates a powerful opportunity to convene the right people, in the right place, with access to the expertise, infrastructure and partnerships that can turn a conference into something far more meaningful,” said Stephanie Seguin, vice president, meetings and major events at Ottawa Tourism.
In addition, the destination is promoting that network through Ottawa Unlimited. The collaboration includes Ottawa Tourism, Invest Ottawa, and the Ottawa Board of Trade. Together, the groups combine tourism marketing, economic development, and business leadership to promote the city nationally and internationally.
Sector Events Build the Calendar
Several events in 2026 reflect Ottawa’s focus on defense, technology, and cybersecurity meetings.
CANSEC, a defense, security, and emerging technology event, returned to Ottawa in May. Ottawa Innovation Week followed June 8–12. The event brought together researchers, investors, companies, and other participants from artificial intelligence, defense, health, and clean technology.
In December, the National Capital Region is scheduled to host INCYBER Forum Canada. The conference will focus on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence safety, and national digital resilience. It will bring together participants from government, business, academia, and international organizations.
Ottawa Tourism is also promoting the city’s government and technology communities as resources for organizers. That approach goes beyond relying solely on venues and destination infrastructure. In addition, the city offers a compact downtown, bilingual environment, and established meetings infrastructure.
Ottawa Tourism plans to work with Invest Ottawa, the Ottawa Board of Trade, Rogers Centre Ottawa, and other local partners. Together, they aim to connect event organizers with government, business, research, and technology communities.
Ottawa Tourism is the official destination marketing organization for Canada’s capital city and surrounding region. The nonprofit organization works with more than 450 member businesses. It also provides convention support services to meeting and event planners. For more information, visit the https://ottawatourism.ca/en
Press release submitted by Ottawa Tourism. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length, context, and style.
