KCIS Conference 2025 | Kingston, ON

November 18-20, 2025

Conference Details Below

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page updated: August 6, 2025

In an era of growing geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, and economic vulnerabilities, maritime security is a critical concern for North America and Europe. This conference brings together defence leaders, military practitioners, and academics to assess emerging threats to maritime trade, undersea infrastructure, and naval operations. Discussions will explore the impact of global disruptions, the role of naval forces in deterrence, and the need for transatlantic cooperation to safeguard economic stability and uphold the rules-based international order. Through expert panels, strategic dialogues, and case studies, participants will gain insights into strengthening resilience, enhancing capabilities, and shaping future maritime security strategies.

Join us from November 18-20 at the Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront Hotel and Conference Centre.

  • Opening Reception - Fort Frontenac Officers Mess  

    1800 Reception Starts   

    1830 Opening Remarks and Introductions 

    2100 Reception Ends

  • Day 1- Bellevue Room, Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront

    0815 Welcome Announcement and Welcome to Territory   

    0830 Challenge to the Conference   

    0845 Opening Keynote

    0930 Panel 1: Historical Evolution of Maritime Security: International Perspectives

    This opening panel examines the historical development of maritime security through North American and European lenses. Researchers will explore the evolution of naval strategies, the impact of transatlantic trade, and cooperative efforts in addressing piracy and maritime threats. Topics include the role of European empires in shaping early maritime security, the evolution of North American navies, and their part in establishing Western maritime security perspectives. The panel highlights shared challenges and strategies that have shaped maritime security, offering insights for addressing contemporary global threats in the maritime domain.  

    1100 Break
    1130 Panel 2: Autonomous Maritime Strategy: Does Technology Drive National Security Choices?

    Whether budgets rather than objectives are the valid driver of strategic choice is a perennial debate in democracies. Many have argued that—in reality—defence budgets, not strategies, are the primary arbiters of national security decision-making; others bemoan that formal strategic planning seems to have no practical effect on developing defence programs. This is a continuing issue in US Navy resource decisions and program development and appears to also affect Canadian defence. The panel will examine an additional emerging factor (and question) that expands this debate—will future technology drive our strategic choices, shaping budgets (although also limited by them) and further reducing the impact of strategic plans?  This question will be examined from both technological (cyber, AI, etc.) and strategic points of view and include a discussion of the budget-dominant argument.  

    1300 Lunch  

    1400 Panel 3: Technological Innovations in Maritime Security: Opportunities and Risks// or Emerging Threats from Below, New Naval Capabilities for the Future

    This session explores the influence of technological disruption on the domain of maritime security, with particular focus on autonomous underwater vehicles, maritime drones, and quantum sensing. Far from being mere modern torpedoes, these systems represent a fundamental shift in naval warfare, enabling persistent surveillance, networked swarming, and human-machine teaming. In addition to discussing the technical advantages offered by these emerging technologies, this session also explores how the 19th-century Jeune École naval doctrine—centered on asymmetric warfare and technological disruption—offers a valuable framework for understanding the strategic impact of maritime drones and autonomous underwater vehicles. Contemporary revolutions in the maritime battlespace echo Jeune École’s ethos while ushering in a new era of distributed, intelligent, and cost-effective naval power.

    1530 Break  

    1600 Keynote

    1645 End of Session

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    1900 Wargame

    Presented and facilitated by the Canadian Joint Warfare Centre (CJWC) Wargaming section, and based on a series of actual wargames, this game event will highlight the importance of logistics, maneuverability, and the integration of multi-domain operations, including land, sea, air, space, civil, and military assets in one of the most challenging maritime regions on the globe. Players will represent commanders and advisors, from North America or Russia, with asymmetric objectives. Don't panic, The game is fun, challenging and easy to play.

  • Day 2 - Bellevue Room, Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront  

    0825 Welcome and Announcements   

    0830 Keynote  

    0915 Panel 4: NATO, Maritime Security and the Undersea: Challenges and Opportunities

    NATO’s 2022 Strategic Concept highlights maritime security as crucial for prosperity and peace, emphasizing the link between the global economy and international stability. With over 80% of trade, two-thirds of oil and gas resources, and 95% of data transmissions dependent on maritime flows, any disruption – including in the undersea environment - poses significant risks. Recent threats, such as the 2023 Red Sea disruption, have driven up shipping costs, burdened economies, and strained the rules-based international order. However, the effectiveness of naval forces in safeguarding these flows remains uncertain, posing a strategic challenge for NATO in capability investment and force positioning. This panel will explore NATO’s posture in safeguarding maritime security in different geostrategic areas, also discussing the strategies and actions of its adversaries and competitors in the different theaters and highlighting synergies with other maritime security players. Ensuring resilient maritime flows is essential to NATO’s role in economic security and global stability, reinforcing its strategic importance in an increasingly unstable world. 

    1030 Health Break  

    1100Panel 5: The Arctic Frontier: Maritime Security and Opportunities in Polar Regions

    As changing weather patterns accelerate Arctic ice melt, new opportunities and challenges emerge for maritime security. This panel explores the geopolitical, environmental, and economic implications of increased Arctic shipping, resource exploration, and military activity. Experts will discuss legal frameworks, regional cooperation, and the role of local communities in ensuring agile, sustainable and secure maritime operations in the Arctic. 

    1230 Lunch  

    1330 Closing Keynote 

    1415 Closing Remarks

    1430 End of Conference

Programme

Registration

*Note: If your workplace maintains a firewall (D1 or other) please be aware that you may have difficulty registering. If this is the case, it is recommended that you register from a personal computer on a home network.

Direct registration link: https://events.cidp.queensu.ca/cgi/page.cgi?action=viewdetail&_id=3&event_id=365

  • Registrants attending KCIS have access to a discounted rate ($179.00/night, +taxes)* at the conference hotel by using the link below to book their room.

    https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/find-hotels/select-roomrate?fromRedirect=true&qSrt=sBR&qIta=99801505&icdv=99801505&qSlH=YGKCA&qCiD=17&qCiMy=102025&qCoD=20&qCoMy=102025&qGrpCd=KCI&setPMCookies=true&qSHBrC=HI&qDest=2%20Princess%20Street,%20Kingston,%20ON,%20CA&showApp=true&adjustMonth=false&srb_u=1&qRmFltr=

    *please note that this rate is only available until October 31st, 2025. Standard room rates will apply after this date.

  • details to come….

  • For CAF Members

    For the Reception: Business Casual

    For the two days of the conference: 3B

    For US Military

    For the Reception: Business Casual
    For the two days of the conference: Class B

  • Photo ID will be required to receive registration credentials at the Venue.

    There are no “partial” or “day” rates for registration.

    Refunds & Substitution

    Registration fees are non-refundable, however substitution of registrants is permitted. Please notify us by November 5, 2025 if you wish to arrange for a substitute on your registration.

    In the event that a registrant can no longer attend or a substitution is required, please contact the conference team at: kcis@queensu.ca

    Recording

    The KCIS 2025 Conference will be recorded and will be freely accessible on the KCIS YouTube Channel indefinitely for public consumption and research purposes. Clips may also be used in advertising or for promotional use.

    By attending the KCIS 2025 Conference you are consenting to being recorded, and waive any rights to compensation for video or stills in which you may appear.

    Anti-harassment policy

    KCIS values maintaining an environment free of, and will not tolerate, Harassment, Discrimination and Reprisal. This includes Harassment and Discrimination based on race, gender identity, ancestry, gender expression, place of origin, age, colour, record of offences (employment only), ethnic origin, marital status, citizenship, family status, creed, sexual orientation, sex, and disability. Conference participants seen violating this policy will be asked to leave the conference venue, without a refund and at the discretion of the organizing committee.

Speakers & Panelists

coming soon…

Partners & Sponsors


Sponsorship Packages

  • Price: $600.00

    • Sponsor a table of up to 6 students to attend KCIS.

  • Price: $2,500.00

    • Two (2) complimentary registrations to all conference events

    • Your logo will be inserted into all printed and digital conference materials (program, social media, website, final report).

  • Price: $5,000.00

    • Three (3) complimentary registrations

    • Your logo will be displayed on conference holding slide during event and in conference recordings.

    • You may bring one (1) self-standing display banner to display near registration table

    • Your logo will be inserted into all printed and digital conference materials (program, social media, website, final report)

  • Price: $7,500.00

    • Four (4) complimentary registrations

    • Your support will be mentioned during opening and closing remarks for both days

    • You will have one (1) display table in conference venue hallway

    • Your logo will be displayed on conference holding slide during event and in conference recordings.

    • You may bring one (1) self-standing display banner to display near registration table

    • Your logo will be inserted into all printed and digital conference materials (program, social media, website, final report)

  • Price: $10,000.00

    • Five (5) complimentary registrations

    • Diamond sponsors may select one of four program items to be named as the presenting sponsor: opening reception, day 1 lunch, day 2 lunch, and conference wargame (first-come, first-served)

    • Your support will be mentioned during opening and closing remarks for both days

    • You will have one (1) display table in conference venue hallway

    • Your logo will be displayed on conference holding slide during event and in conference recordings.

    • You may bring one (1) self-standing display banner to display near registration table

    • Your logo will be inserted into all printed and digital conference materials (program, social media, website, final report)