5th Annual Samuel Group Halifax Citadel Reception

‍

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, DEFSEC Atlantic attendees gathered at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site for the 5th Annual Samuel Group Halifax Citadel Reception. Hosted by the Samuel Group of Companies, the reception once again paired meaningful networking with a uniquely Halifax sense of place, welcoming a crowd of over 500 leaders from across Canada, the United States, and Europe.

From 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM, the Citadel’s ramparts offered a striking setting for conversations among defence, aerospace, and maritime executives, alongside Federal, Provincial, and Municipal officials engaged in Canada’s defence procurement ecosystem. With convenient shuttle service running between the Halifax Convention Centre and the Citadel, guests moved seamlessly from show floor to historic hilltop—an ideal start to a busy week at DEFSEC.

‍Honouring the Spirit of Service: Homes For Heroes Foundation

‍In keeping with the Samuel Group’s commitment to Canada’s veterans, this year’s featured organization was the Homes For Heroes Foundation (H4HF). The Foundation’s mission is clear: provide supportive housing and tailored reintegration programs—from mental-health counselling and group therapy to skills development and financial literacy—so Veterans can transition to independent civilian life with dignity.

H4HF’s model is working. With three operational villages in Calgary, Edmonton, and Kingston, and two more scheduled to open in London, Ontario and Winnipeg, Manitoba by Spring 2026, the Foundation has achieved an 87% success rate. With $0.82 of every donated dollar directed to programs, H4HF stands out for both impact and accountability—and is actively exploring Halifax as a future village location. Samuel Group is proud to support an organization ensuring no Veteran is left behind.

‍A Gathering of Leaders and Innovators

‍The Halifax Citadel Reception has become a fixture on the DEFSEC calendar—an evening where relationships are built, partnerships take shape, and ideas move from introduction to action. This year’s crowd reflected the full spectrum of the ecosystem: prime contractors and tiered suppliers; startups and scale-ups; policy thinkers and government officials from Canada and our allies. The atmosphere was collegial and focused, with the Citadel’s history serving as a reminder of why the community’s work matters.

‍With Gratitude to Our Partners & Sponsors

‍Events of this calibre are made possible through collaboration. Samuel Group extends sincere thanks to the partners and sponsors whose support brought the evening to life:
‍

Event Partner

• ACADA (Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association)

Media Partner

• CDR (Canadian Defence Review)

Premier Sponsor

• CISCO Canada

Shipbuilding Sponsor

• Davie

Property Development Sponsor

• Scalia Secure

Technology Sponsor

• AWS (Amazon Web Services) Canada

Indigenous Manufacturing Sponsor

• ATMIS

Maritime Sponsor

• GTI (GeoSpectrum Technologies)

Aerospace Sponsor

• M1 Composites

Technology Innovation Sponsor

• Samdesk

Emerging Tech Startups

• AeroVision Canada
• Insurgent AI

Their leadership underscores the collaborative spirit that defines the Canadian defence and security community and strengthens our transatlantic partnerships.

‍Looking Ahead

‍As Samuel Group advances its work across Canada, the United States, and Europe, the Halifax Citadel Reception continues to embody the best of this sector—service, innovation, and partnership. Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Citadel. We look forward to welcoming you again next year for another memorable evening.

For media or sponsorship inquiries, please contact the Samuel Group team at info@samuelgroup.ca.