## [Manufacturing Matters 2026](/event/manufacturing-matters-2026) #### Dates Oct 01, 2026 7:30:am - Oct 01, 2026 12:30:pm [Find more information and Get tickets](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/manufacturing-matters-2026-tickets-1985733271670?aff=oddtdtcreator) London Economic Development Corporation in partnership with London Region Manufacturing Council are pleased to present Manufacturing Matters **2026 Manufacturing Matters Conference** The London Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the London Region Manufacturing Council are pleased to present **Manufacturing Matters 2026.** **Date and time:** Thursday, October 1, 2026, RBC Place London, 300 York St, London, ON N6B 1P8 **Manufacturing Matters** is a must attend, half day conference for manufacturers and service providers. Delegates will learn valuable information from industry leaders, keynote speakers and peer-to-peer networking. The conference will deliver essential advice applicable to all manufacturers in the London region. **This is a FREE event for manufacturers, but registration is required!** **Non-manufacturers are invited to attend for a nominal fee of $113** ### **Theme: Trade Diversification** #### **Agenda:** **8:15 AM Welcome & Introductions** - Jason Bates, Manager, EMC Southern Ont. & GM London Region Manufacturing Council #### **Greetings** - Kapil Lakhotia, President & CEO, London Economic Development Corporation - Mayor Josh Morgan, City of London - London Hydro Update **8:30 AM Keynote Presentation** - **Heather Damaren, P.Eng. - Director Manufacturing - Canada Operations; General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada** **9:30 AM - Exhibitor Showcase** – Manufacturers and service providers to manufacturers. **10:15 AM** **Concurrent Sessions** (Sessions are 45 minutes followed by 10 minutes of Q&A) **SALON E** Cybersecurity Risk for Manufacturers and the Defense Sector Presented by MNP (Title and Speaker to be confirmed) **SALON F** AI Beyond the Hype Presented by Evormore AI, CEO, Brock Rowlands Integrator, John Galbraith **SALON G** Funding Training Programs Presented by EMC Canada **SALON H** How to Access the Mining Supply Chain Presented by MineConnect **SALON J** Supply Agreement Pitfalls Presented by Siskinds **11:15 AM** **SALON F** Maximizing funding across Incentives and Tax Credits Presented by Ryan, Speaker: Eric Pini, Director Client Services **SALON G** Accessing the Nuclear Supply Chain To be announced **SALON H** Shift Happens: Smarter Recruiting for Manufacturing Presented by Ladder HR Solutions, Wendy MacIntyre **SALON J** Roadmap to Becoming a Supplier to the Defense Sector Presented by the Ontario Defense Association, Heather Pilot **12:15 PM** **Event Concludes** **Afternoon Plant Tours** *(*[***Register Now***](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JDBGKJF)*) -*- Tours will be starting at 1pm & 3pm (limited space) - **URSA Manufacturing** - 1477 Sise Rd, London - **Amstead Automotive** - 3745 Commerce Rd, London - **Jones Healthcare Group** - 3000 Page St, London ### **Introducing our Keynote Speaker:** Image ![Heather Damaren](/sites/default/files/2026-08/Heather%20D.png) Heather Damaren, P. Eng. Director, Manufacturing-Canada Operations GDLS-Canada**Heather Damaren, P.Eng. is Director of Manufacturing – Canada Operations at General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada (GDLS–Canada),** where she oversees manufacturing operations supporting the delivery of Light Armoured Vehicles and other critical capability solutions to the Canadian Armed Forces and allied customers around the world. **\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_** ### **Exhibitors:** - 6S Software Inc. (Shiftworx) - ADJ Industries - AIM Industrial Inc. - ALLUKRA — Ukrainian Pierogies Inc. - Andriani S.p.A. - Arkal Plastic North America Inc. - Armo-Tool/Abuma - Attica Manufacturing - AXYZ - Boilersmith Ltd - BW Packaging - Centerline - Central Machine & Marine - DAIFUKU Manufacturing Canada Corporation - Dajcor Aluminum - Dee Tag - Easy Way - EmployNext/Serco - ETBO Tool & Die Inc. - EVM Group - EXI-Plast Custom Moulding - Fero International Inc. - Fischer Canada - Givens Engineering - Global Stamping - GPL Machine & Tool Inc. - H&H Wood Products - Hudson Entry & Automation Inc. - Hydmech Canada Corp. - International Name Plate Supplies Limited - Ionic Automation - ITEC Group - J-Tech Design LTD. - Jones Healthcare Group - KNK Mechanical - Konnexio Inc. - LCB Manufacturing - Lynch Fluid Controls - London Regional Employment Services - Mac Weld - Militex Coatings - Minuteman Press International - Miuraz Canada - MNP - MPI Solutions - Neatco Engineering Services Inc. - Partner IT - Phil Mauer & Assoicates Inc. - PowerCo Canada Inc. - Progressive Industrial Fluids - Purifics - Quantify - Ramsden Industries Limited - Sacco Associates - SLEEGERS - Step Sciences - Stratus Plastics - TCA Technologies - Tiercel Technology - TriHQ - Toyota Tsusho Canada Inc. - TrueLight Machine Vision Solutions Inc. - Ursa Manufacturing - Volt Carbon Technologies Inc. - Western Continuing Studies - Vuteq Canada **\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_** ### **Thank you to our Sponsors** **Gold:** - EMC - London Hydro - Siskinds The Law Firm **Silver:** - BDC - Lerners LLP - michael + clark construction **Bronze:** - Enbridge Gas - Ladder HR Solutions - London Regional Employment Services - MNP - Quantify Environmental Ltd - Ryan **Interested in becoming a Sponsor?** Explore sponsorship opportunities here: [**Sponsorship Package**](https://www.ledc.com/sites/default/files/2026-06/2026_MM-Sponsorship-Package.pdf "https://connectdot.ca/media/2026_MM-Sponsorship-Package.pdf") **Accomodation:** See preferred Hotel Rates for the event below: **Residence Inn by Marriott London Downtown:** [***Book Now***](https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1783973625344&key=GRP&app=resvlink&_branch_match_id=1605308863498657159&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXTywo0MtNLCrKzC8p0UvOz9UvSi0uy0wtN7IHytiCODmZedlqmSm2huYWxpbmxmZGpsYmJmrZqZW27kEBanVFqWmpQO156fFJRfnlxalFtq4p6akAHDb37V8AAAA%3D) Rates include free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and a kitchen in each suite. Onsite parking, if needed, is $28 per car, per night + tax. [***Delta Hotels London Armouries***](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r03/___https:/app.marriott.com/resview2?id=1783366856177&key=GRP&app=resvlink___.YXYyYzpsZWRjOmE6bzplNDBkNDk5YWI3NjRjNGYxMWEwYmE2ZjJlYzY4ZjZmOTo3OjFmNDY6OGU4NmY1OTM4NmM5NGIyMWEwZDlmNmM5NzRlYmYxZjY1OTgwZmFkYWRmYzk4NDA0NzBiZDJlMzZkNmEwYjUzZjpoOlQ6Tg) for 209.00 CAD per night - Last Day to Book : Friday, September 04, 2026 Start Date: Thursday, October 01, 2026 End Date: Sunday, October 04, 2026 [Book your group rate for Manufacturing Matters Room Block](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r03/___https:/app.marriott.com/resview2?id=1783366856177&key=GRP&app=resvlink___.YXYyYzpsZWRjOmE6bzplNDBkNDk5YWI3NjRjNGYxMWEwYmE2ZjJlYzY4ZjZmOTo3OjFmNDY6OGU4NmY1OTM4NmM5NGIyMWEwZDlmNmM5NzRlYmYxZjY1OTgwZmFkYWRmYzk4NDA0NzBiZDJlMzZkNmEwYjUzZjpoOlQ6Tg "https://url.avanan.click/v2/r03/___https:/app.marriott.com/resview2?id=1783366856177&key=GRP&app=resvlink___.YXYyYzpsZWRjOmE6bzplNDBkNDk5YWI3NjRjNGYxMWEwYmE2ZjJlYzY4ZjZmOTo3OjFmNDY6OGU4NmY1OTM4NmM5NGIyMWEwZDlmNmM5NzRlYmYxZjY1OTgwZmFkYWRmYzk4NDA0NzBiZDJlMzZkNmEwYjUzZjpoOlQ6Tg") **Other nearby hotels:** - [The DoubleTree Hilton London](https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/yxuksdt-doubletree-london-ontario/) - [The Park Hotel London](https://www.parkhotelsuites.com/accommodations) - [The Lamplighter Inn](https://lamplighterinn.ca/) [Find more information and Get tickets](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/manufacturing-matters-2026-tickets-1985733271670?aff=oddtdtcreator)