Did you know Abbotsford International Airport is a city-owned facility serving over 1 million passengers with over 3,600 flights annually and is part of a world-class aviation hub representing more than 2,000 local jobs on the airfield?
It’s also part of the largest aerospace hub on the continent with Washington State, and the industry-leading companies that call YXX home represent a world-class fixed/rotary-winged aerospace cluster. Our aerospace sector is an important part of our local economy and we’re proud that we can hold upcoming events on site once again this summer.
Before Abbotsford International Airshow performers show off their spectacular routines in the sky, leaders and innovators from aerospace, government and military are once again gathering in Abbotsford to discuss how to keep those skies safe.
On Aug. 7 the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada’s (AIAC) Aerospace Defence and Security Expo (ADSE) returns to Tradex. The two-day conference leading into the Airshow features speakers and exhibitors and provides a unique opportunity for face-to-face networking across industry, military and government. Hundreds of attendees are expected to take part in the conference.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the annual Abbotsford event, and, as always, it’s an honour for us to host so many distinguished leaders who work hard to strengthen our economy and keep Canada safe.
The theme for 2025 is “Resilience and Readiness,” and ADSE will be shining a spotlight on one local aviation business that is particularly active at this time of year: Conair Aerial Firefighting. This year’s expo includes a tour of Conair’s facility, which we got a look at during a Business Spotlight tour in May, and Conair’s director of business development Michael Benson is also presenting a speaking session.
We’re always proud to host ADSE and show off our airport to leaders in aerospace and defence, but it means even more to use to have the opportunity to promote the industry-leading local businesses that are based out of our airfield. As a City Council it’s our goal to continue developing our airport to support and grow our economy and our aerospace sector.
Thank you to AIAC for being a part of our Airshow weekend for the past 15 years. ADSE not only adds a trade show component to the Airshow, but it also helps support our aerospace cluster. We wish you a successful conference and look forward to seeing you again next year.
Abbotsford City Council