Date
Oct 29, 2026
Thursday
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Marc Mes
Deputy Commissioner
Marc Mes is Deputy Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard and is responsible for its programs, operations, and assets across Canada.
Appointed in May 2024, he provides strategic leadership and operational direction across areas including fleet operations, marine navigation, maritime security, safety management, emergency preparedness, search and rescue, and environmental response.
With more than 24 years of national and international experience in national security and public safety, Marc has held senior leadership roles across the federal public service and the Canadian Coast Guard, including Director General, Fleet and Maritime Services. He also brings extensive experience working with domestic, international, and industry partners.
Mark McKiel
Director General
Mark McKiel, PMP, CD, leads the Joint Equipment Program Management Division within the Department of National Defence’s Materiel Group.
With more than 35 years of experience across the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Public Service, he has led major capital projects, warship engineering programs, in-service support initiatives, and complex project management teams.
His previous roles include leadership positions on the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship Project, Canadian Surface Combatant project, Project Management Support Organisation, and Maritime Equipment Program Management division. Mark holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours), a Marine Engineering Technologist Diploma, and is a Project Management Professional.
Dennis Darby
President & CEO
Dennis A. Darby, P.Eng., ICD.D, is President & CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME).
Dennis joined CME in 2017 following nine years as CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists' Association and a 24-year career in senior management at Procter & Gamble, including leadership roles in the United States and Europe.
He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering and Management from McMaster University, is a registered Professional Engineer in Ontario, and earned his ICD.D designation in 2011. Dennis has also served on numerous industry and charitable boards as both a director and Chair.
Leslie Preston
Director & Senior Economist
Leslie Preston, Director & Senior Economist at TD Bank Group
Leslie Preston has been with TD Economics since 2011 and has over twenty years of experience as an economist. She leads a team providing analysis and forecasts on the Canadian, U.S., and global economies, and regularly speaks on the economic outlook in the media.
Stephen Daub
President & CEO
Stephen Daub, is the President & CEO of Proax Technologies Ltd.
Stephen Daub leads Proax Technologies, a Canadian-owned industrial automation company supporting manufacturers across the country. He will moderate the discussion, connecting perspectives from industry, economics, defence, and government around the future of Canadian manufacturing.
Canadian Armed Forces
Canadian Coast Guard
Doane Grant Thornton
Doane Grant Thornton LLP is a proudly Canadian accounting and business advisory firm with deep local roots and an international network. Our firm has grown into one of Canada’s most trusted professional services providers—supporting dynamic privately owned, publicly listed, and public sector organizations across the country. We do more than just business—we build lasting relationships and build up local communities. Our purpose is rooted in a deep commitment to the people we serve and the places we call home.
Canadian Manufacturers & Exports
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is a national community of manufacturers helping businesses grow, compete, and succeed. By shaping public opinion and giving manufacturing a strong, credible voice with governments, CME helps create the right conditions to invest, innovate, export and grow. Through hands-on programs and services, it also works directly with manufacturers to improve productivity, reduce costs, and tackle challenges they cannot solve alone.
TD Bank
Deloitte
Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides
Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides empowers Canadians living with disabilities by providing Dog Guides at no cost. As Canada’s only school training Dog Guides in seven distinct programs, the Foundation relies on donations to support each life-changing match.
Omron
SMC
Phoenix Contact
Phoenix Contact is a family-owned technology company specializing in electrification, networking, and automation solutions. Through innovative technologies and digital transformation expertise, the company helps organizations integrate and optimize energy and data flows across the full energy lifecycle, from generation and storage to distribution. Phoenix Contact’s key areas of expertise include connectivity, control cabinet solutions, power reliability, and automation, supporting greater efficiency, reliability, and sustainability across industries.
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ABB Robotics
ABB Robotics as one of the world’s leading robotics companies, is the only company with a comprehensive and inte-grated AI-powered portfolio covering robots, cobots and AMRs, designed and orchestrated by our value-creating soft-ware. We help companies of all sizes and sectors - from automotive to electronics and logistics – to outperform by be-coming more resilient, flexible and efficient. ABB Robotics is at the forefront of developing and commercializing a new generation of Autonomous Versatile Robotics, leading a global innovation ecosystem of partners in advancing efficient hardware and intelligent software with industrial performance.
ABB Drives
ABB is a world leader in drives — and at the Proax Automation Summit, we're bringing that expertise directly to you.
Our variable speed drives deliver high-performance motor control, energy efficiency and reliable performance across demanding industrial and machinery applications. Whether you're optimizing a conveyor, pump, compressor or com-plex machine system, ABB drives are engineered to keep your operations running — consistently and productively.
Backed by over 140 years of electric drivetrain expertise and a global network of support, we work alongside our channel partners to help their customers outrun — leaner and cleaner. go.abb/motion
ABB Electrification
Explore ABB electrification solutions for safe, reliable, and efficient power distribution, control, and industrial infrastructure.
Rittal
Rittal Canada delivers innovative solutions for industrial automation, power distribution, climate control and IT infrastructure. With a strong focus on Machine Control Panels (MCP), Rittal provides flexible, ergonomic and reliable solutions for protecting control components and improving machine operation.
Troax
Troax is a global leader in protective mesh panel solutions for machine guarding, warehouse partitioning, and industrial safety. With decades of experience, Troax solutions are designed to support a wide range of industrial applications, including automated production lines, robotic cells, material handling systems, and secure storage areas. Backed by global expertise, local support, and a strong commitment to quality and safety, Troax provides dependable solutions that can be configured to meet the needs of both standard and complex projects.
Fortress Safety
Since 1977, Fortress Safety has been a global leader in machinery safety and interlocking solutions, protecting people working on and around industrial machinery. Food and beverage manufacturers choose Fortress for tailored, standards-compliant solutions that improve safety and operational efficiency.
Zimmer Group
Discover Zimmer Group’s advanced automation solutions, including robotic handling, grippers, tool changers, and end-of-arm tooling designed to improve productivity, flexibility, and reliability in industrial applications.
Bonnell Aluminum
Werma
Wenglor
Hiwin
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