Join us for the 82nd CDDA AGM & Convention in Ottawa, ON

From the Drill Site to the Nation’s Capital.

Join the Canadian Diamond Drilling Association for the 82nd AGM & Convention in Ottawa, Ontario, May 16–18, 2027 at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel.

The convention will bring together industry members for technical presentations, networking, and opportunities to connect with leaders, safety experts, manufacturers, suppliers and more from across Canada’s Diamond Drilling Industry.

Save the date and join us in Ottawa. Stay Tuned for More Announcements to Come!

Book Your Room for the 82nd CDDA AGM & Convention

Join us in Canada’s capital for the 82nd CDDA AGM & Convention, May 16- 18, 2027 at the iconic Fairmont Château Laurier. Stay at the convention hotel and enjoy convenient access to meetings, networking and convention activities.

Convention room rates per night:

• Fairmont Room: $389.00
• Deluxe Room: $449.00*
• Junior Suite: $469.00*

Rooms are limited, so reserve early to secure your preferred room type.

Fairmont Château Laurier
1 Rideau Street
Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7

Additional conditions may apply to Deluxe Room and Junior Suite rates. Please confirm applicable taxes, fees and booking terms when reserving.

Reservations must be made by April 15, 2027 to qualify for the group rate. Limited Rooms Available so book your room ASAP. 

 82nd Annual Mini-Tradeshow– Registration Opens January 2027

Exhibitors at the 82nd Canadian Diamond Drilling Association Convention (May 16–18, 2027, Ottawa, ON) receive prime visibility by hosting their booths inside the technical presentation room. Your products and services stay front and centre while attendees engage in leading technical sessions; so you can network, learn, and connect with decision-makers without being tied to your booth all day.

Booth Registration Includes

• 1 delegate registration

• 8ft × 10ft booth space

• 1 table

• Recognition in the official event program

• Opportunity for a brief sales pitch

• Ability to display products and promotional materials

• Website advertising

Limited Spots Available. Please note we have sold out two years in a row so once registration opens secure your spot as soon as possible. 

Chris Wilson is a leadership keynote speaker, former commercial helicopter pilot, and aircraft maintenance engineer who helps leaders and teams create momentum through change, pressure, and uncertainty.

After 14 years in commercial aviation — including work supporting remote diamond-drilling operations — Chris now brings those lessons from high-consequence environments into practical leadership frameworks for organizations across Canada and the United States.

Keynote Speaker

May 17, 2027 – Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel

Chris Wilson

Momentum Shift — How Leaders Move Forward When Conditions Change

The Canadian Diamond Drilling Association is proud to announce this year’s Keynote Speaker, Chris Wilson.

Diamond drilling is built on safety, standards, and the ability to perform when conditions change.

For CDDA’s Convention attendees which include owners, presidents, operational leaders, safety leaders, industry partners and more, Momentum Shift will deliver a practical leadership keynote focused on judgment, communication, complacency, and execution under pressure.

Drawing on 14 years in commercial aviation, including direct experience supporting remote diamond-drilling operations. Chris brings a perspective that is highly relevant to our industry.

The keynote will be tailored around CDDA’s three pillars:

Safety

Strengthening judgment, communication, personal responsibility, and awareness when the stakes are high.

Standards

Maintaining discipline and execution even when pressure, familiarity, or changing conditions create complacency.

Innovation

Helping leaders and teams adapt, reduce friction, and create forward movement without sacrificing operational standards.

Participants will leave with practical frameworks they can apply immediately to how they think, act, and lead under pressure. 

Gilbert Huard, CDDA Director 

Operations Manager Surface and Underground, Forage Orbit Garant Drilling 

The CDDA is pleased to announce we will welcome back Gil Huard, CDDA Board of Director and Operations Manager Surface and Underground, Forage Orbit Garant Drilling as our Technical Program Chair.

Gil is a highly respected professional in the diamond drilling industry, bringing over 28 years of experience to the role. He currently serves as Operations Manager for both Surface and Underground at Orbit Garant Drilling, where he demonstrates a strong commitment to operational excellence, safety, and innovation.

Throughout his career, Gil has accumulated 16 years of international project management experience, working across Canada, Australia, Europe, and the United States, and contributing valuable insight and leadership to projects around the world.

We look forward to having Gil welcome our delegates and extend our sincere thanks to Orbit Garant for their continued support. We are also proud to once again recognize Orbit Garant as an official Platinum Sponsor of this year’s event.

CDDA Reception at Escape Manor

May 16, 2027 | 292-A Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M3, Canada 

7:00 pm – 11:00 pm 

Join the Canadian Diamond Drilling Association for an evening of connection, conversation and friendly competition at Escape Manor!

This reception offers a unique networking opportunity, bringing together industry leaders including contractors, suppliers, manufacturers and training partners in the diamond drilling and exploration industry in a fun, interactive setting. Work together to solve an escape room, challenge fellow attendees to digital darts, or enjoy a game of bocce while building connections across the diamond drilling and exploration industry.

With five escape rooms, five digital dart lanes, a bocce court, and a full bar and restaurant, there’s something for everyone.

We look forward to kicking off the convention with a memorable evening in the Nation’s Capital!

Must Register to Participate. Delegate Registration Opens January 2027. 

Theme: To be Annouced 

Entertainment: To Be Annouced 

The Canadian Diamond Drilling Association is proud to present the 2027 Annual Safety Awards Gala on May 17, 2027 at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

Dress to impress and join us for an evening of celebration, entertainment, and recognition as we honour the outstanding achievements and dedication within our industry. This exclusive gala will shine a spotlight on excellence, safety, and innovation across the diamond drilling community.

Throughout the evening, we will recognize the recipients of the prestigious Lifetime Member Award, Bring it to the Surface Ambassador Award the Contractor Safety Award, the Manufacturer Award, and the Supplier Award, each representing remarkable commitment, leadership, and contribution to the advancement of our industry.

More information to come on this year’s theme and entertainment.

May 18, 2027

Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel 

The Canadian Diamond Drilling Association is pleased to Present the 2027 Diamond Drilling Safety Awards at the 82nd AGM and Convention in Ottawa.

Every year at the Annual General Meeting and Convention of the Canadian Diamond Drilling Association, awards are presented to those companies that have achieved the lowest accident frequency and those companies who have excelled at reducing their accident frequency during the year. Every member drilling company is eligible for an award, provided they have during the year, presented to the CDDA office with their statistics for every quarter and they have not had a fatality during the qualifying year.

Hours are submitted through our online portal, click here to login or email the office@cdda.ca to begin reporting today.

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