Manufacturing Matters 2026

London Economic Development Corporation in partnership with London Region Manufacturing Council are pleased to present Manufacturing Matters
About this Event

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, CEO, Brock Rowlands Integrator, John Galbraith

SALON G

Funding Training Programs

Presented by EMC Canada, Tiffany Robbins

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

TBA

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 () -- 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

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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 Ltd/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.
• Phil Mauer & Assoicates Inc.
• PowerCo Canada Inc.
• Progressive Industrial Fluids
• Purifics
• Quantify
• Ramsden Industries Limited
• 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:

Accomodation:

See preferred Hotel Rates for the event below:

Residence Inn by Marriott London Downtown:

Rates include free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and a kitchen in each suite. Onsite parking, if needed, is $28 per car, per night + tax.

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:

• The DoubleTree Hilton London
• The Park Hotel London
• The Lamplighter Inn

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Refund Policy:

Contact the organizer to request a refund. Eventbrite's fees are non-refundable.

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Please be advised that photographs and video may be taken at LEDC events for use on LEDC web, print and social properties. We won’t sell your photo, but we may share it with media and/or partner organizations. By attending this and any LEDC event, you consent to being photographed and/or filmed, and to your image or likeness being used at LEDC’s discretion.

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Agenda

🕑: 08:15 AM - 08:30 AM
Welcome & Introductions
Host: Jason Bates, Manager, EMC Southern Ont.
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Keynote Presentation
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Exhibitor Showcase Manufacturers and service providers to manufacturers
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Concurrent Sessions (Sessions are 45 minutes followed by 10 minutes of Q&A)
🕑: 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Breakout Sessions
🕑: 12:15 PM
Conclusion
🕑: 01:00 PM
Plant Tours