Dates
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) -- 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:
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.
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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
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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
Accomodation:
See preferred Hotel Rates for the event below:
Residence Inn by Marriott London Downtown: Book Now
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 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
Other nearby hotels:
