Ottawa will host INCYBER Forum Canada in December 2026, as Canada’s capital pushes for a larger share of the international business events market in defence, security and cyber.
The pan-Canadian and international conference will focus on cybersecurity, AI safety and national digital resilience, and is expected to draw public sector, private sector, academic and international delegates. It was secured for the National Capital Region by the International Cybersecurity Forum (ICF) Canada, working with local partners.
The forum follows two other events in the sector this year. CANSEC, Canada’s largest defence, security and emerging technology show, returned to Ottawa in May 2026 with government, industry and international delegations. Ottawa Innovation Week, held from 8-12 June 2026, brought together founders, researchers, investors and corporates across AI, defence, health and cleantech.
Ottawa Tourism is making its case for the sector through Ottawa Unlimited, a joint initiative with Invest Ottawa and the Ottawa Board of Trade that brings destination marketing, economic development and business leadership under one platform.
Stephanie Seguin, vice-president, meetings and major events at Ottawa Tourism, said: “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.”
As a G7 capital, the city houses federal departments, international missions, universities and technology firms, with clusters in cybersecurity, aerospace, defence, AI and advanced communications. It is also home to Canada’s largest technology park.
Seguin said organisers in the sector are looking for more than infrastructure: “The most successful events in this space need more than venues and logistics. They need access to knowledge, credibility, networks and a destination that understands the importance of the conversation.”
Ottawa Tourism said it works with Invest Ottawa, the Ottawa Board of Trade, the Rogers Centre Ottawa and other city partners to connect organisers with that ecosystem.
