Summary: INCYBER Forum Canada 2026 will take place in Ottawa from 1–3 December 2026 at Rogers Centre Ottawa, with pre-events in Gatineau. The forum is expected to draw about 4,000 delegates, generate over 5,000 room nights and deliver roughly $5.4 million in economic impact.

Ottawa Tourism, together with partners across the National Capital Region, has confirmed that INCYBER Forum Canada will be staged in Ottawa from 1–3 December 2026 at Rogers Centre Ottawa, with associated pre-events planned in Gatineau. INCYBER Forum Canada 2026 is expected to attract approximately 4,000 delegates from Canada, North America and international markets and to produce more than 5,000 total room nights for the region.

Event details and projected impact

Organisers estimate the conference will deliver an economic impact of about $5.4 million to the Ottawa region. The international and pan-Canadian forum will focus on cybersecurity and AI safety, bringing together stakeholders from government, industry, academia and the security community for three days of programming.

Pre-events scheduled in Gatineau will precede the main sessions at Rogers Centre Ottawa, providing additional local engagement and activities tied to the forum’s agenda.

  • Dates: 1–3 December 2026 (main event)
  • Location: Rogers Centre Ottawa; pre-events in Gatineau
  • Delegates: Approximately 4,000 expected
  • Room nights: More than 5,000 total
  • Estimated economic impact: $5.4 million

Who will attend and the forum’s purpose

INCYBER Forum Canada brings together a wide cross-section of participants including public- and private-sector leaders, international delegations, large enterprises, SMEs, government representatives, military, security and law enforcement, academic institutions and cybersecurity professionals. The forum’s aim is to foster collaboration and dialogue to address evolving cyber threats and AI safety challenges.

  • Public-sector policy and security decision-makers
  • Industry leaders and solution providers
  • Law enforcement and military representatives
  • Researchers, academics and students
  • Cybersecurity practitioners and SMEs

Why Ottawa was chosen

  • Close proximity to Canada’s federal government and national institutions, facilitating participation from policy leaders
  • A concentrated innovation ecosystem, including the tech community in Kanata North and a growing cybersecurity sector
  • Applied R&D, cyber ranges and leading academic programs that support talent development
  • An established local and international industry presence providing a strong supplier and innovation landscape

Organisers said Ottawa’s concentration of key decision-makers and its reputation as a national hub for technology and security innovation weighed heavily in the selection, and that the city’s assets align with the forum’s goal of strengthening pan-Canadian and international engagement.

“Hosting INCYBER Forum Canada is a major international win for Ottawa and a powerful vote of confidence in our region’s leadership in cybersecurity, trusted technology, and digital resilience. With Canada’s federal government, world-class research, and a globally connected tech community all here, Ottawa is the right place to convene the conversations and partnerships that will shape a safer digital future. This event will deliver meaningful economic benefits while showcasing our strengths to international delegations, innovators, and decision-makers.”

Delegates and exhibitors at a cybersecurity conference in a large convention centre
Rogers Centre Ottawa will host the main sessions of INCYBER Forum Canada 2026, with pre-events in nearby Gatineau.

What to expect at INCYBER Forum Canada 2026

  • A trade show showcasing solution providers and innovation demonstrations
  • High-level panels and conferences on cybersecurity, digital trust and AI safety
  • Pre-conference workshops and executive tabletop exercises
  • Live technical demonstrations, simulations and curated technical visits
  • Student engagement and emerging talent programming, plus international delegation matchmaking

The successful bid was achieved through a coordinated effort across the destination, with Ottawa Tourism working alongside Invest Ottawa, Rogers Centre Ottawa and local hoteliers to secure the event and support the logistic needs of delegates and delegations.

INCYBER Forum Canada has previously been hosted in Montréal; the move to Ottawa signals the forum’s expansion and its intent to deepen engagement across Canada and with international partners.

Why this matters: For the meetings and events sector, hosting INCYBER Forum Canada 2026 strengthens Ottawa’s profile as a destination for high-value, policy-focused conferences and boosts demand for local accommodation, venues and professional services. For cybersecurity and tech communities, the forum offers a platform for networking, procurement and cross-sector collaboration that can accelerate innovation and resilience.

So what? Conference planners and delegates should note the dates and plan travel early: the event will drive significant hotel demand and present opportunities for local industry engagement and international partnerships.