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The AWS Public Sector Symposium Ottawa 2023 was a great success, and we look forward to seeing you next year!
View details from this year's event below and save the date for 2024.
Shaw Centre | Ottawa, Canada
AWS Public Sector Symposium Ottawa
Bringing the cloud community together to innovate, build, and learn
Join us in Ottawa on Wednesday October 9, 2024 to discover how the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud can help you transform the services you provide to Canadians, while meeting your security, sovereignty, and sustainability requirements.
Explore how the cloud can help you harness data at scale, strengthen your security posture, lead digital transformation, and advance generative AI—faster and at lower cost. Returning in 2024 with all-new content and speakers, this must-attend event features inspiring keynotes from Canada’s tech leaders, breakout sessions, hands-on workshops, networking hubs, and more.
With 20+ sessions, a Builder's Fair, and a full expo hall, the AWS Symposium Ottawa is the perfect place to connect, collaborate, and learn. Whether you're just getting started in the cloud or you're an experienced user, you'll gain key insights that you can use right away.
See the highlights from last year's event.
Event highlights
20+ sessions
Lecture-style and interactive sessions to learn from, join us no matter where you are on your AWS journey.
Experiential zones
Join AWS experts to discover trends and possibilities for your data and experience the latest in innovation and live demos.
Ask an AWS expert
Speak to an AWS team member one-on-one and ask the questions you have on your mind.
AWS training
Get equipped with the knowledge it takes to move your company—and career—forward.
F E A T U R E D S P E A K E R S
2024 keynote speakers
![Clint Crosier Clint Crosier](https://d1.awsstatic.com/ottawa-2024/clint-crosier-500x500.53be54230e0e7832d00671981ffde9d2a58b1315.png)
Clint Crosier
Director, Aerospace & Satellite
Amazon Web Services
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Clint Crosier is Director of the AWS Aerospace and Satellite business, established to help accelerate innovation in the global aerospace and satellite industry. Prior to joining AWS, Crosier served for 33 years in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Before retiring from military service as a Major General, he was the lead planner and architect of the U.S. Space Force, leading the stand-up of the first new military service in 72 years. He has also served in staff assignments in the U.S. Senate, Secretary of the Air Force's Action Group, U.S. Air Force Office of Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Air Force Space Command and US Strategic Command.
![Ross Ermel Ross Ermel](https://d1.awsstatic.com/ottawa-2024/ross-ermel-headshot.bc7cbe02d4e737206fb2590e760708b3852839d2.png)
Ross Ermel
Assistant Deputy Minister (Digital Services) and Defence Chief Digital Officer, Department of National Defence
Ross Ermel assumed the role of Assistant Deputy Minister for Digital Services and Defence Chief Digital Officer for the Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces on May 1st, 2024. Before his appointment, Mr. Ermel served as the DND/CAF ADM for digital transformation, where he spearheaded digital modernization efforts to ensure operational advantage. Previously, he served as ADM for Digital Talent and Leadership in the Office of the Chief Information Officer of the Government of Canada, where he developed an enterprise-wide digital talent strategy. Additionally, he held the position of Assistant Commissioner of the Western Region at the Canada Revenue Agency, overseeing regional operations and leading strategic change initiatives.
![Mark Messier Mark Messier](https://d1.awsstatic.com/ottawa-2024/mark-messier-500x500.ea0aaaf0a05fc7d2fd7f53688486031275e7b917.png)
Mark Messier
Six-Time Stanley Cup Winner
Mark Messier played in the NHL for twenty-five years, won six Stanley Cups – five with the Oilers and one with the Rangers – and is the only player to have captained two NHL franchises to championships. He is second on the all-time career list for playoff points and third for regular season games played and regular season points. In 2007, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. That same year, the NHL instituted the Mark Messier Leadership Award, given annually to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities on and off the ice.
![Cassie Campbell-Pascall Cassie Campbell-Pascall](https://d1.awsstatic.com/ottawa-2024/casie-campbell-pascall-500x500.aac1c4fe1b0e26156765b1c8ada96b7e27662368.png)
Cassie Campbell-Pascall
Two-Time Olympic Champion
A two-time Olympic champion and six-time world champion, Cassie Campbell-Pascall is the only hockey team captain, male or female, to lead Canada to two Olympic gold medals in the sport. She’s also the first woman to provide colour commentary on Hockey Night in Canada. Cassie is the only player to win the Esso Women’s National Championship and the NWHL Championship in back-to-back years, and is the first female hockey player to be inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. She is also the first woman to receive the Order of Hockey in Canada, joining the ranks of Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky, and Jean Beliveau.
![Dave Lehanski Dave Lehanski](https://d1.awsstatic.com/ottawa-2024/dave-lehanski.5bd9c99589d5abd1bd23f762eba15576e5314f0c.png)
Dave Lehanski
EVP, Business Development & Innovation
NHL
David Lehanski is the Executive Vice President of Business Development & Innovation for the National Hockey League. He leads the NHL’s internal Innovation Team, made up of internal experts from business development, strategy and information technology, which helps to advance the game of hockey by developing and implementing technology-driven solutions. Lehanski has been instrumental in building the most advanced technology solutions in sports, including the development and implementation of the NHL’s innovative EDGE (Puck and Player Tracking) technology, which received a prestigious Alpha Award for Best Sports Innovation at the 2022 MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference.
![Kirsten Robinson Kirsten Robinson](https://d1.awsstatic.com/ottawa-2024/kristen-robinson-500x500.18ac431392b5cc3b7b0a6b393f16609e8c1a1bd5.png)
Kirsten Robinson
Federal Government Leader
Amazon Web Services
Kirsten Robinson is a senior business leader with 25 years’ experience in sales, consulting, and business operations. Having joined AWS in 2018, she currently serves as Federal Government Leader, where she focuses on shaping and delivering strategies to enable government digital transformation. Prior to joining AWS, Kirsten held senior leadership positions with both public and private sector organizations, spanning multiple roles within tech startups, enterprise firms, and academia.
Kirsten is the past co-chair of Technation’s Cloud Working Group, and the co-author of a Government of Canada whitepaper titled “Governments Embracing Cloud: An Opportunity for Modernization, Innovation and Transformation”. An avid gardener and traveler, she lives in Ottawa with her husband, son, and dog, Bailey.
![Mark Messier Mark Messier](https://d1.awsstatic.com/ottawa-2024/clint-crosier-500x500.53be54230e0e7832d00671981ffde9d2a58b1315.png)
Clint Crosier
Director, Aerospace & Satellite Solutions
Amazon Web Services
Mark Messier played in the NHL for twenty-five years, won six Stanley Cups – five with the Oilers and one with the Rangers – and is the only player to have captained two NHL franchises to championships. He is second on the all-time career list for playoff points and third for regular season games played and regular season points. In 2007, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. That same year, the NHL instituted the Mark Messier Leadership Award, given annually to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities on and off the ice.
![Mark Messier Mark Messier](https://d1.awsstatic.com/ottawa-2024/mark-messier-500x500.ea0aaaf0a05fc7d2fd7f53688486031275e7b917.png)
Mark Messier
Six-Time Stanley Cup Winner
Mark Messier played in the NHL for twenty-five years, won six Stanley Cups – five with the Oilers and one with the Rangers – and is the only player to have captained two NHL franchises to championships. He is second on the all-time career list for playoff points and third for regular season games played and regular season points. In 2007, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. That same year, the NHL instituted the Mark Messier Leadership Award, given annually to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities on and off the ice.
![Cassie Campbell-Pascall Cassie Campbell-Pascall](https://d1.awsstatic.com/ottawa-2024/casie-campbell-pascall-500x500.aac1c4fe1b0e26156765b1c8ada96b7e27662368.png)
Cassie Campbell-Pascall
Two-Time Olympic Champion
A two-time Olympic champion and six-time world champion, Cassie Campbell-Pascall is the only hockey team captain, male or female, to lead Canada to two Olympic gold medals in the sport. She’s also the first woman to provide colour commentary on Hockey Night in Canada. Cassie is the only player to win the Esso Women’s National Championship and the NWHL Championship in back-to-back years, and is the first female hockey player to be inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. She is also the first woman to receive the Order of Hockey in Canada, joining the ranks of Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky, and Jean Beliveau.
![Kirsten Robinson Kirsten Robinson](https://d1.awsstatic.com/ottawa-2024/kristen-robinson-500x500.18ac431392b5cc3b7b0a6b393f16609e8c1a1bd5.png)
Kirsten Robinson
Federal Government Leader, Canada
Amazon Web Services
Kirsten Robinson is a senior business leader with 25 years’ experience in sales, consulting, and business operations. Having joined AWS in 2018, she currently serves as Federal Government Leader, where she focuses on shaping and delivering strategies to enable government digital transformation. Prior to joining AWS, Kirsten held senior leadership positions with both public and private sector organizations, spanning multiple roles within tech startups, enterprise firms, and academia.
Kirsten is the past co-chair of Technation’s Cloud Working Group, and the co-author of a Government of Canada whitepaper titled “Governments Embracing Cloud: An Opportunity for Modernization, Innovation and Transformation”. An avid gardener and traveler, she lives in Ottawa with her husband, son, and dog, Bailey.
Opening Keynote
Time: 1.5 hours
Keynote description.
Morning Keynote
Time: 30 min
Keynote description.
Afternoon Keynote
Time: 30 min
Keynote description.
H E A R F R O M L E A D E R S H I P
AWS Executives & Enterprise Strategists
![Chris Hennessey Chris Hennessey](https://d1.awsstatic.com/ottawa-2024/chris-hennesy.96e9b640573de04166a95ed8b0f6096a1b1379d3.png)
Chris Hennesey
Enterprise Strategist
AWS
As an Enterprise Finance Strategist, Chris works with executives across the globe to share financial management expertise and strategies for optimizing cost, speed, and agility in the cloud. With over 20 years of work experience in the finance industry, he has held various leadership roles at Capital One, where he managed financial planning and analysis, technology finance, and operations finance for a range of business units. Chris aims to empower organizations by delivering strategic insights that drive operational efficiency, and by catalyzing partnerships with cross-functional teams—and he has helped teams across Government of Canada departments and agencies to achieve these goals.
![Sean Roche Sean Roche](https://d1.awsstatic.com/ottawa-2024/sean-roche.1408d375600b45718e20340e24f56455ce33d4e9.png)
Sean Roche
Director of National Security, Worldwide Public Sector
AWS
A visionary leader spearheading transformative change, Sean pioneered groundbreaking digital capabilities as CIA's first Associate Deputy Director for Digital Innovation (2015-2019). In that role, he revolutionized intelligence operations spanning cyber, open source, communications, data systems, and data science. With unparalleled expertise driving mission-critical initiatives across IC, DOD, and private sector, he has been the lead architect of next-generation solutions that have driven successful transitions from legacy models, propelling organizations to unprecedented mission execution and operational excellence.
![Tom Soderstrom Tom Soderstrom](https://d1.awsstatic.com/ottawa-2024/tom-soderstrom.0aa34de68cd46b30c6a8abec04759ca0c9069b12.png)
Tom Soderstrom
Enterprise Strategist
AWS
Since 2023, Tom Soderstrom has served as an Enterprise Strategist at AWS, coaching executives on their transformation and innovation strategies and actions. Previously, he served as the IT Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) from 2006 - 2020, where he helped define, support, and implement innovative Space missions, emerging IT trends, and mentor the next generation of IT and Space explorers. Prior to JPL, he led teams working on large scale IT technologies, best practices, tools development, and change efforts in small startups, large commercial companies, international venues, and the US Government.
Agenda
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
This event is specifically designed to help public sector organizations across government, education, nonprofit, healthcare, and financial services navigate the increasingly complex and ever-evolving tech landscape.
Our goal is to empower you, the leaders and architects of public sector digital transformation, with new capabilities and insights that help you accelerate your mission and improve the lives of people and the planet using cloud technology.
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Expo
See cutting-edge products and the latest solutions from our sponsoring partners and learn how they can help you transform your organization.
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Breakout sessions
The Symposium features 20+ breakout sessions across four main tracks: technical, management, security, and data.
Discover content to accelerate your public sector mission, and hear from government, nonprofit, healthcare, education, and aerospace and satellite customers. Grow your existing cloud skills to learn how to build, deploy, and operate your infrastructure and applications learning from lecture-style and interactive sessions.
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AWS Training & Certification
Learn from AWS experts about how AWS Training and Certification can help you gain practical experience with real-world cloud scenarios, validate your cloud expertise, and much more.
Schedule
8:00AM - 9:00AM ET: Registration
9:00AM - 9:50AM ET: Breakout sessions
9:50AM - 10:00AM ET: Break
10:00AM - 10:50AM ET: Breakout sessions
10:50AM - 11:00AM ET: Break
11:00AM - 11:50AM ET: Breakout sessions
11:50AM - 12:45PM ET: Lunch
12:45PM - 1:35PM ET: Breakout sessions
1:35PM - 1:45PM ET: Break
1:45PM - 2:35PM ET: Breakout sessions
2:35PM - 3:00PM ET: Break
3:00PM - 4:00PM ET: Keynote
4:00PM - 5:30PM ET: Closing reception
Agenda is subject to change.
Session level guide
Level 100: Introductory
Sessions are focused on providing an overview of AWS services and features, with the
assumption that attendees are new to the topic.
Level 200: Intermediate
Sessions are focused on providing best practices, details of service features and demos with the assumption that attendees have introductory knowledge of the topics.
Level 300: Advanced
Sessions dive deeper into the selected topic. Presenters assume that the audience has
some familiarity with the topic, but may or may not have direct experience .
Level 400: Expert
Sessions are for attendees who are deeply familiar with the topic, have implemented a
solution on their own already, and are comfortable with how the technology works.
2023 Keynote
Across the public sector, innovation and problem-solving are more essential than ever before. Join Colonel Chris Hadfield, First Canadian Commander of the International Space Station, to discover how you can drive innovation throughout your own team, based on lessons learned from his three decades at NASA and the Canadian Space Agency.
You’ll also hear from Dr. Kumar Chellapilla, general manager, AI and ML services at AWS., as he dives deep into Generative AI and the transformational role it can play in government, defence, health care, and education.
Whether you’re new to the cloud or a seasoned expert, you’ll leave this keynote with practical insights you can use right away.
2023 keynote speakers
![Kumar Chellapilla Kumar Chellapilla](https://d1.awsstatic.com/kumar-ottawa-aws-new.da69c47735902132fdba29db6fb4f0ca1454c2e0.png)
Dr. Kumar Chellapilla
General manager, AI and ML services
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Dr. Kumar Chellapilla is a General Manager at Amazon Web Services and leads the development of ML/AI Services that involve humans and machines working together. Prior to AWS, Kumar was a Director of Engineering at Uber ATG and Lyft Level 5 and led teams using machine learning to develop self-driving capabilities such as perception and mapping. He also worked on applying machine learning techniques to improve search, recommendations, and advertising products at LinkedIn, Twitter, Bing, and Microsoft Research.
Kumar has a Ph.D from University of California at San Diego wherein he worked on teaching computers to learn by themselves to play games like chess and checkers. At Microsoft Research, Kumar developed the very first GPU based algorithms (2004) for training Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). He then used them to demonstrate that CNNs surpassed human capabilities at single character recognition by breaking several commonly used CAPTCHAs.
![Col. Chris Hadfield - Astronaut | First Canadian Commander of the International Space Station Col. Chris Hadfield - Astronaut | First Canadian Commander of the International Space Station](https://d1.awsstatic.com/Chris_Hadfield-HiRes-new.8592f470e73ed6ce5a65f071fcbe98ec95cd0a6f.png)
Col. Chris Hadfield
Astronaut | First Canadian Commander of the International Space Station
Referred to as “the most famous astronaut since Neil Armstrong,” Colonel Chris Hadfield is a heavily decorated astronaut, engineer, and pilot who has become a worldwide sensation. Formerly NASA’s director of operations, Hadfield spent more than three decades working for NASA and the Canadian Space Agency.
Throughout his distinguished career, he has flown three space missions, built two space stations, performed two spacewalks, crewed the Shuttle and Soyuz, and in 2013 commanded the International Space Station for six months off planet. His many awards and recognitions include the Order of Canada, the Meritorious Service Cross, and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal.
His TED talk “What I Learned from Going Blind in Space” has been viewed more than 11 million times. He is also the co-host, with actor Will Smith, of National Geographic’s One Strange Rock, which was directed by Darren Aronofsky.
![Lieutenant-Colonel Dave Serapins Lieutenant-Colonel Dave Serapins](https://d1.awsstatic.com/dave-serapins-ottawa.cb26eadbfb306b2bcbea56934f380d8004bf725f.png)
Lt. Col. Dave Serapins
2nd Cdn Div Digital Transformation Officer, Canadian Army
Lieutenant-Colonel Dave Serapins is the Digital Transformation Officer of the Canadian Army’s 2nd Canadian Division, leading the team that helped fight wildfires throughout Quebec. His 18 years of army experience began with a posting as a medic with the 51st Field Ambulance team while employed as an EMT at Urgence Santé in Montreal. He commissioned as an Infantry Officer with the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada in 2009, where he has accumulated over a decade of experience leading soldiers throughout the organization, including on exercise, and both domestic and expeditionary operations.
His current team, working within the 2nd Canadian Division headquarters, are innovation catalysts: They are collaboratively breaking barriers, supporting the re-writing of policy and governance, and are focusing on actionable, deployable solutions that increase the operational capability and effectiveness of the army.
![Kirsten Robinson - Federal Government Leader, AWS Canada Kirsten Robinson - Federal Government Leader, AWS Canada](https://d1.awsstatic.com/kirsten-robinson-aws.1e82d7a8129c7d81e9c8d566d6f8e75dfeb12f72.png)
Kirsten Robinson
Federal Government Leader, Canada
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Kirsten Robinson is a senior business leader with 25 years’ experience in sales, consulting, and business operations. Having joined AWS in 2018, she currently serves as Federal Government Leader, where she focuses on shaping and delivering strategies to enable government digital transformation. Prior to joining AWS, Kirsten held senior leadership positions with both public and private sector organizations, spanning multiple roles within tech startups, enterprise firms, and academia.
Kirsten is the past co-chair of Technation’s Cloud Working Group, and the co-author of a Government of Canada whitepaper titled “Governments Embracing Cloud: An Opportunity for Modernization, Innovation and Transformation”. An avid gardener and traveler, she lives in Ottawa with her husband, son, and dog, Bailey.
Opening Keynote
Time: 1.5 hours
Keynote description.
Morning Keynote
Time: 30 min
Keynote description.
Afternoon Keynote
Time: 30 min
Keynote description.
Session Catalogue
Browse, filter, or search through the session catalogue below to find topics that interest you and view the presentations.
Agenda is subject to change.
F I N D O U T M O R E
Frequently asked questions
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Who should attend the AWS Public Sector Symposium Ottawa?
Whether you are new to the cloud or an experienced user, you can learn something new at AWS Public Sector Symposium Ottawa. The AWS Public Sector Symposium Ottawa will help you develop the right skills to design and deploy solutions in the cloud to accelerate your mission.
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Is there a virtual component?
We designed the AWS Public Sector Symposium Ottawa for an in-person audience. You will be able to access a select number of sessions on demand following the event.
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Is there a price to attend?
No, registration is complimentary for this event.
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Where should I stay if I plan to attend?
We don't currently have dedicated attendee room blocks for this event.
The AWS Public Sector Symposium Ottawa will take place at the Shaw Centre, 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Canada.
You can also explore other nearby hotels.
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When and where will the AWS Public Sector Symposium Ottawa take place?
The event will take place at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa, Canada on October 9, 2024 from approximately 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST.
We will communicate exact meeting rooms prior to the event.
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How can I contact the event organizers?
Please email wwps-symposiums@amazon.com with any questions.
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How do I update, change, or cancel my registration for AWS Public Sector Symposium Ottawa?
To change or cancel your registration, email us directly at wwps-symposiums@amazon.com
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Where can I view sessions for AWS Public Sector Symposium Ottawa?
We'll have several sessions available to view on the AWS Public Sector Symposium Ottawa agenda page. As we confirm more sessions, we'll add them to the agenda.
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Are lactation rooms available?
Yes. Lactation rooms are designed to provide a private, secure space for lactating attendees to express milk.
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What accessible services will be available?
Many services can be made available at the Symposium upon advance request. To inquire about any of these services or to request a service you don't see listed, please reach out to customer support at wwps-symposiums@amazon.com.
- ASL (American Sign Language)
- CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation)
- VI (Visual Interpretation)
- Mobility device rental
- Assistive listening Translations for keynote and leadership sessions
- Dispersed and designated seating
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