Sponsorship

Why Sponsor?

Connect with senior defence and security leaders
Increase your brand awareness
Attract more traffic to your booth
Connect with new technology companies and SMEs

Become a Sponsor

Download the 2024 Sponsorship Package

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

PLATINUM

$7500 CDN

Benefits

3 Conference Passes
10×10 Exhibit Space (includes WiFi + Power)

At Event:

5 minutes onstage to promote your company
Introductory or thank you remarks for a conference speaker

Pre-Event Visibility:

Promotion in pre-event marketing (including website, social media, and emails)
Prominent logo placement in Official Program and event materials

On-Site Visibility:

Your company name branded against a key element of the conference
Your logo on sponsor/partner recognition signage
Your company logo on screen during pre-conference, breaks and reception
Opportunity to distribute a promotional item to conference attendees (item supplied by sponsor and subject to approval by Pilot Hill Ltd.)

GOLD

$5000 CDN

Benefits

3 Conference Passes
10×10 Exhibit Space (includes WiFi + Power)

Pre-Event Visibility:

Prominent location and logo placement on all event materials
Your logo on the Best Defence website linked to your company website

On-Site Visibility:

Your company name branded against a key element of the conference
Your company name on the Official Program / Site Plan
Your logo on sponsor/partner recognition signage
Your logo on screen during pre-conference, breaks and reception

SILVER

$3500 CDN

Benefits

2 Conference Passes
10×10 Exhibit Space (includes electrical)

Pre-Event Visibility:

Your company logo placed on all event materials
Your logo on the Best Defence website linked to your company website

On-Site Visibility:

Your company name on the Official Program / Site Plan
Your logo on sponsor/partner recognition signage
Your logo on screen during pre-conference, breaks and reception

LANYARD SPONSOR

1 ONLY

$3500 CDN

1 conference pass
Your brand will be the official sponsor for visitor lanyards that will be made available at the entrance to all visitors
Lanyards to be provided by the sponsor

BRONZE

$3500 CDN

Benefits

2 Conference Passes

Pre-Event Visibility:

Your company logo placed on all event materials
Your logo on the Best Defence website linked to your company website

On-Site Visibility:

Your company name on the Official Program / Site Plan
Your logo on sponsor/partner recognition signage
Your logo on screen during pre-conference, breaks and reception

Please contact Heather Pilot for more information at [email protected] or call +1-519-851-9848

Philippe Hébert

Director General of R&D Innovation

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)

Philippe Hébert is the Director General of R&D Innovation for Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), where he is responsible for leading key innovation initiatives such as the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program. His role is to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces/Department of National Defence have access to the most cutting-edge solutions from Canadian Innovators for their challenges.

From 2015 until 2022, Mr. Hébert was the Director General for Intelligence Policy and Partnerships with the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command where he oversaw and coordinated the development and promulgation of defence intelligence policies, directives and governance frameworks. He was also responsible for the management of defence intelligence partnerships with the Five-Eyes community, NATO, other allied countries, as well as with other federal government departments and agencies.

Mr. Hébert also worked for the Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy), serving as Director of Policy Development from 2007 to 2015. In that role, he led the development of the Canada First Defence Strategy and various policy frameworks on issues such as Arctic security, space and cyber. Before that, Mr. Hébert served in a number of positions at National Defence, including Special Assistant to the Deputy Minister and speechwriter for the Minister of National Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff.
Mr. Hébert is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

FRENCH

Philippe Hébert est le directeur général de l’innovation en R&D pour Recherche et développement pour la défense Canada (RDDC), où il est responsable de diriger des initiatives d’innovation clés telles que le programme Innovation pour la défense, l’excellence et la sécurité (IDEeS). Son rôle est de s’assurer que les Forces armées canadiennes/ministère de la Défense nationale ont accès aux solutions de pointe des innovateurs canadiens pour leurs défis.

De 2015 à 2022, M. Hébert a été directeur général de la politique du renseignement et des partenariats au Commandement du renseignement des Forces canadiennes où il a supervisé et coordonné l’élaboration et la promulgation des politiques, directives et cadres de gouvernance du renseignement de défense. Il était également responsable de la gestion des partenariats de renseignement de défense avec la communauté Five-Eyes, l’OTAN, d’autres pays alliés, ainsi qu’avec d’autres ministères et organismes du gouvernement fédéral.

M. Hébert a également travaillé pour le sous-ministre adjoint (Politiques), occupant le poste de directeur de l’élaboration des politiques de 2007 à 2015. À ce titre, il a dirigé l’élaboration de la Stratégie de défense Le Canada d’abord et de divers cadres stratégiques sur des questions telles que la sécurité dans l’Arctique, espace et cyber. Auparavant, M. Hébert a occupé plusieurs postes à la Défense nationale, dont ceux d’adjoint spécial au sous-ministre et de rédacteur de discours du ministre de la Défense nationale et du chef d’état-major de la Défense.

M. Hébert est récipiendaire de la Médaille du jubilé de diamant de la reine Elizabeth II.

Colonel Robert Tyler

Director Air Requirements

Royal Canadian Air Force

Colonel Robert Tyler joined the Canadian Army Reserve in 1992 as a Gunner with 15th Field Regiment in Vancouver, British Columbia and later commissioned as an Artillery Officer. After graduating from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Cellular Biology, he transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as a Pilot.

After receiving his wings in 2003, Colonel Tyler was selected for helicopter pilot training and posted to 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (408 THS) in Edmonton, Alberta, flying the CH146 Griffon. During his time at 408 THS, Colonel Tyler completed his first deployment to Afghanistan, as a member of the Tactical Air Control Party in Kandahar.

Colonel Tyler was then posted to Townsville, Australia where he flew the CH-47D Chinook with C Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment, returning to Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2010 to fly with the Australian Army Chinook Detachment.

Upon his return to Canada in 2012, Colonel Tyler assisted in the stand-up of 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (450 THS) and the introduction of the CH147F Chinook. Upon promotion to Major in 2013, he took over as the first operational CH147F Flight Commander.

In 2018 Colonel Tyler was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel while serving with the RCAF Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. In 2019 he deployed as the Chief of Staff for Air Task Force-Mali as part of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and Canada’s Operation PRESENCE-Mali.

In 2020 Colonel Tyler took Command of 450 THS, leading the Squadron through the COVID-19 pandemic while ensuring Chinook support to Canadians during multiple domestic missions in response to the pandemic and other natural disasters.

In 2022, Colonel Tyler completed language training followed by a short posting to Chief Force Development. He was promoted to his current rank in 2024 and is currently Director Air Requirements, within the RCAF Headquarters.

Colonel Tyler is a graduate of the Army Operations Course (2013) and the Joint Command and Staff Program (2017), where he earned a Master’s Degree in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada.

Colonel Tyler has two, amazing, teenaged daughters.

Rod Stagg, Founder & CEO

Founder & CEO

Cougar Technical Services Ltd, and Indigenous Incubator Inc.

Rod Stagg is a proud Metis businessman, tradesperson, father, coach and mentor.

As the founder of Cougar Technical Services, a successful mechanical service company working in Calgary AB and surrounding areas for over 30 years, Mr. Stagg is a dedicated family man and community member. Rod has 2 sons, Jeremy and Joel, who are actively involved in daily operations. Jeremy Stagg is President of Stag Construction Solutions, a General Contracting firm, while Joel Stagg is an experienced Plumber who handles a wide array of Mechanical service requests and assists with estimating jobs.

With the continued success of Cougar Technical Services, Rod began to conceptualize his idea to help Canada’s Indigenous youth over 20 years ago. Through this journey, the idea of the Indigenous Incubator was born.

The Indigenous Incubator Inc. (III) is a newly launched initiative, comprised of 7 different Indigenous Trades Companies:

1. Cougar Technical Services
2. Stag Construction Solutions
3. Wolf HVAC Services
4. Grizzly Electrical Services
5. Mother Earth Energy Services
6. Tomahawk Indigenous Engineering
7. Polar Bear Janitorial

These companies are all focused on providing Mentorship, Education, and Training to Indigenous Peoples. In the past year, Rod has hired 4 Indigenous persons in both the field and the office. These individuals are encouraged to bring their own cultural knowledge and retain their Indigenous values while working for the Incubator. This cultural empowerment and meaningful career opportunities creates “Economic Reconciliation through Employment”.

The Indigenous Incubator focuses on developing Individuals’ skills in a wide array of trades and professional services. Within the 7 different Indigenous companies, Individuals have the option to further their career path in many avenues including: janitorial work (unskilled labour), mechanical work (plumbing, HVAC, electrical, construction), as well as professional services (accounting, dispatch, marketing, engineering). These flexible career pathways give individuals the opportunities they need to further their careers, bolster their annual income, and in turn create generational wealth within Indigenous communities. This furthers the Indigenous Incubator’s commitment towards Reconciliation within Canada.

The Indigenous Incubator group of companies are currently focused on serving Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) markets within Calgary and surrounding Alberta areas. However, after proving this concept in these areas, the Incubator will be ready to take on projects and help Indigenous communities across Canada.

Major General Peter Dawe

Chief Combat System Integration, Office of the Vice Chief of Defence Staff

Department of National Defence

MGen Peter Dawe joined the Canadian Forces in 1990 as an artillery officer. Following a tour to Cyprus as a troop commander, he reclassified to the infantry and joined the Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). MGen Dawe has commanded from platoon to brigade level, to include 3 PPCLI (2009-2011) and 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2013-2015).

MGen Dawe’s extra-regimental employment has included tours at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School; the Canadian Special Operations Regiment; Canadian Special Operations Forces Command Headquarters; and on the Strategic Joint Staff as the Director General Operations.

His operational tours include Cyprus, Bosnia, and two tours to Afghanistan. In 2002, he served as the 3 PPCLI Battle-Group Operations Officer for Operation APOLLO in Kandahar, Afghanistan, for which he was awarded the U.S. Bronze Star Medal. From May 2011 to March 2012, he served as the Deputy Commander of Canada’s Contribution to the Training Mission in Afghanistan and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. MGen Dawe was appointed Commander of the Order of Military Merit in 2019.

MGen Dawe is a graduate of the National Security Program, the U.S. CAPSTONE Program, and the Coalition Joint Forces Special Operations Component Commander Course. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Military Arts and Science, a Master’s degree in Defence Studies, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Royal Military College of Canada. He is also a graduate of the Senior Executives in National and International Security program at Harvard University. MGen Dawe was appointed Deputy Commander Canadian Special Operations Forces Command in September 2016 and assumed command of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command in April 2018. MGen Dawe assumed his current role as Chief of Combat Systems Integration in July 2023.

Captain(N) Andrew Graham

Director Naval Requirement

Royal Canadian Navy

Captain (N) Drew Graham joined the Canadian Armed Forces as an officer in the Cadet Instructors Cadre in May of 1995 at Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps QUINTE in Belleville Ontario. Upon completing undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa he transferred to the regular force as a Maritime Surface officer in the Royal Canadian Navy. He completed his training at the Naval Officer Training Centre in 2002 and joined HMCS TORONTO as a Bridge Watchkeeper. While serving in TORONTO he deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Altair. He trained as a Shipborne Air Control Officer and joined HMCS IROQUOIS in 2005. While serving in IROQUOIS he deployed to the Mediterranean Sea as part of Operation Active Endeavour with Standing NATO Maritime Group 1. On leaving IROQUOIS LCdr Graham traveled to the United Kingdom to attend the Ammunition Technical Officer course with the British Army. He returned to Canada in 2009 and served as the Formation Ammunition Technical Officer in Halifax for 2 years. He re-joined IROQUOIS as an Operations Room Officer in 2012 and served as Operations Officer, Weapons Officer and finally Combat Officer. While serving in IROQUOIS he deployed on Operation Caribe as part of the North American war on drugs. After serving for two years as the Command Ammunition Technical Officer at Naval Headquarters in Ottawa LCdr Graham moved to Toronto to attend the Joint Command and Staff Programme at the Canadian Forces College where he earned a master’s degree in Defence Studies. He was appointed as the Executive Officer of HMCS REGINA in 2016 and served in REGINA until 2018 when he moved back to Ottawa into the position of Above Water Warfare Requirements Section Head in the Directorate of Naval Requirements. Cdr Graham assumed Command of HMCS FREDERICTON in July of 2020 and deployed as the Flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group One in support of Operation Reassurance in 2021. Promoted to his current rank in 2023, he is currently serving as the Director of Naval Requirements on the Naval Staff. He lives in Ottawa with his very tolerant and understanding wife Amanda and their two boys Spencer and Braedan.