CHC 2025 Edmonton Global Stage

The Edmonton Global Stage is back!

Edmonton Global is back at the 2025 Canadian Hydrogen Convention—North America’s largest hydrogen event—with programming that gives a front-row view into the Edmonton region’s clean energy economy. Broadcasting live from the Edmonton Global Stage inside the Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB pavilion (Booth 800 on the trade floor), we’ll bring you sharp, focused sessions with the people driving Canada’s hydrogen transition.

All week, hear from industry leaders, investors, and innovators as we explore the projects, partnerships, and insights shaping a net-zero economy—and why it all starts in the Edmonton region.

Day 1 - April 23

10:10 am – 10:30 am: Driving impact across the transportation economy

Hydrogen-fuelled mobility is more than a decarbonization strategy—it’s a catalyst for economic growth and supply chain development. This session brings together leaders from industry, municipal operations, and the non-profit sector to explore how hydrogen adoption in transportation is unlocking new business models, strengthening local economies, and creating demand for infrastructure, manufacturing, and services across the value chain.

Speakers:

Rebecca Goldsack, COO, Diesel Tech Industries; Chair, Hydrogen Alberta
Heidi Hicks, Director of Municipal Fleet Maintenance, City of Edmonton
Terri Johnson, Program Manager, Research and Innovation, Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA)

Moderator: Alyssa Linford, Digital Media Coordinator, Edmonton Global

10:45 am – 11:15 am: Scaling safely: Building Canada’s hydrogen future with confidence

As hydrogen technologies scale across the Edmonton region and beyond, safety remains a critical pillar of public confidence and industry success. This panel will highlight key initiatives and centres that are advancing safety standards, testing protocols, and regulatory frameworks. Together, these efforts are helping to de-risk innovation, support infrastructure development, and ensure a safe, reliable hydrogen economy in Canada.

Speakers:

Nirmal Gnanapragasam, Ph.D., P.Eng., Principal Scientist for Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, President of Canadian Hydrogen Safety Centre
Dr. Agatha E. Ojimelukwe, Dean, School of Energy & Natural Resources, NAIT
Brian Wagg, Director, Business Development & Strategic Initiatives, C-FER Technologies

Moderator: Kessia Kopecky, Communications & Engagement Specialist, Edmonton Global

11:30 am – 12:05 pm: Decarbonizing mobility in Western Canada – The 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge

Decarbonizing commercial transportation is critical to meeting Western Canada’s climate and economic goals—and hydrogen is leading the charge. This session will highlight the Western Canada Hydrogen Corridors Initiative and the work underway to accelerate vehicle deployment and build a coordinated hydrogen refuelling network across Western Canada—a key driver to advance the 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge.

Speakers:

Colin Armstrong, President and CEO, HTEC
Arvind Ramakrishnan, Deloitte
Terri Johnson, Program Manager, Research and Innovation, Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA)

Moderator: Mohamed Khaja, Program Director - Mobility, Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB

1:00 pm – 1:30 pm: Connecting hubs to decarbonize Western Canada

Building a strong hydrogen economy requires seamless integration between production, distribution, and end-use markets. This session will explore how connecting hydrogen hubs across Western Canada can accelerate decarbonization, enhance infrastructure development, and create a coordinated pathway for large-scale hydrogen adoption in transportation, industry, and energy sectors.

Speakers:

Rebecca Goldsack, Hydrogen Alberta Chair
Brent Lakeman, Executive Director, Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB
Zak Cunningham, Lead, Calgary Region Hydrogen Hub

Moderator: Kessia Kopecky, Communications and Engagement Specialist, Edmonton Global

1:45 pm – 2:15 pm: Canada and the European Union in the global hydrogen economy

As political momentum for even stronger collaboration builds around hydrogen on both sides of the Atlantic, the connection between Canada and the European Union grows in importance. This session will explore how shared climate goals, deepening trade ties, and joint innovation efforts—particularly with Germany and the Netherlands—are opening the door for greater collaboration in hydrogen research, commercialization, and investment. This dialogue will highlight the strategic opportunities for Canada to partner with the EU in building a global hydrogen economy.

Canada recently joined HORIZON Europe as an official partner. How can this €95.5 billion research funding program strengthen CAN-EU ties, and what role do the individual member states play in this?

Speakers:

Robin Heijmans, Senior Trade Officer Hydrogen, Consulate General of the Netherlands
Pawel Trojanowski, Business Development Director, Hydrogen Systems, Rockfin
Nicolai Pogadl, Senior Manager and Head of the German Secretariat of the Energy Partnership with Canada, Canadian German Chamber of Commerce

Moderator: Dr. Jonathan Veinot, Associate Dean STEM Research and Professor of Chemistry, University of Alberta

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm: Accelerating hydrogen through UK-Canada collaboration

This panel will explore challenges and opportunities in advancing hydrogen development between the UK and Canada. Industry leaders will discuss regulatory barriers, market access challenges and strategic collaborations needed to accelerate hydrogen adoption, offering insights into real-world solutions and cross-border partnerships.

Speakers:

Adrian Anderson, Industrial Decarbonization Leader, Arup
Emmet Lagan, Technical Director, Lagan Energy
Eddy Nupoort, Sr. Director, Sales & Business Development Americas, Cavendish Hydrogen Inc

Moderator: Brenna Barlow, Head of Science, Climate and Energy – Canadian Prairies, British Consulate General Calgary

3:15 pm – 3:45 pm: From lab to launch: How the University of Alberta is scaling hydrogen innovation

Cutting-edge research is driving breakthroughs in hydrogen technology, but how do we bridge the gap between discovery and commercialization? This fireside chat with the University of Alberta will explore how research institutions, industry and policymakers can collaborate to accelerate innovation, scale new technologies, and position Canada as a leader in the global hydrogen economy.

Speakers:

Aminah Robinson Fayek, Vice President of Research and Innovation, University of Alberta
Amit Kumar, Professor and Tier-1 Canada Research Chair, University of Alberta
Hassan Dehghanpour, PhD, Professor, University of Alberta

Moderator: Sherri Bouslama, Director, Strategic Communications & Brand, Edmonton Global

4:00 pm – 4:30 pm: The Edmonton region’s hydrogen market: our current state and future trends

This session will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of the region’s current position in the hydrogen industry, along with the impacts that are shaping its growth and evolution. The session will focus on the effect that tariffs have on the hydrogen economy, from tariffs' impact on global trade and cost competitiveness to disruptions in the supply chain and the effects of political and economic uncertainty.

Speakers:

Arvind Ramakrishnan, Director, National Hydrogen Lead, Deloitte
Charles Ward, Director, Natural Gas Strategy and Engagement, Energy Alberta
Marion Chivot-Legris, Director, ESG & Sustainability Strategy, Edmonton International Airport

Moderator: Amanda Sparks, Communications Assistant, Edmonton Global

Day 2 - April 24

10:10 am – 10:40 am: Manufacturing for hydrogen

The Edmonton region offers a competitive advantage for hydrogen-related manufacturing, combining industrial capacity, skilled talent, and strategic access to markets. This session will showcase how the region’s advanced manufacturing sector is positioned to support hydrogen projects with efficient, low-carbon supply chains—and why international investors and technology developers should look to Alberta as a hub for building and scaling hydrogen solutions.

Speakers:

Bob Blattler, Director and CEO of Cariboo Clean Fuels and Chair of Hydrogen B.C
André McDonald, PhD, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta
James Kennedy, Business Development Executive, Hycamite TCD Technologies

Moderator: Avash Timsina, Research Analyst, Edmonton Global

10:55 am – 11:25 am: Global Hydrogen Case Competition Panel

This session features student finalists participating in the Global Hydrogen Case Competition, offering a unique lens into the future of the hydrogen economy from tomorrow’s leaders. Representing diverse academic backgrounds and global viewpoints, these emerging voices will share what they’ve learned through the competition, how they see hydrogen shaping global energy systems, and what’s needed to lead the next wave of innovation, policy, and collaboration in the sector. This is a conversation about vision, curiosity, and the future of hydrogen—told by those who will help shape it.

Moderator: Pavlo Stop, President, Interdisciplinary Consulting Association

11:40 am – 12:00 pm: Positioned to lead: Advancing Canada’s hydrogen economy on the world stage

This session features senior leaders from dmg events—the force behind bringing North America’s largest hydrogen event, the Canadian Hydrogen Convention, to the Edmonton region. With a global portfolio that includes ADIPEC—one of the world’s most influential energy events held annually in Abu Dhabi—dmg events has a proven track record of bringing industry, capital, and ideas together on a massive scale. Join us for a conversation on how events like CHC are helping shape Canada’s hydrogen narrative, attract global investment, and build international momentum for the energy transition.

Speakers:

Nick Samain, Senior Vice President — North America, dmg events
David Ghoris, Senior Director, Strategy and Content – North America, dmg events

Moderator: Mustafa Sahin, Executive Vice President, Investment & Trade, Edmonton Global

1:10 pm – 1:35 pm: A new phase for the Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB

Canada’s first hydrogen hub is entering a new chapter, building on a strong foundation of regional collaboration and industry momentum. This session will explore the refreshed vision for the Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB and its strategic priorities for advancing hydrogen adoption and innovation. Following the official relaunch announcement on March 21, attendees will gain insight into how the HUB aims to accelerate projects, strengthen partnerships, and position the Edmonton region as a global leader in the hydrogen economy.

Speakers:

Myron Keehn, President & CEO, Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
Mark Plamondon, Executive Director, Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association

Bryan Helfenbaum, Vice President of Clean Energy, Alberta Innovates

Brent Lakeman, Executive Director, Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB

1:50 pm to 2:50 pm: Global Hydrogen Case Competition

The Global Hydrogen Case Competition 2025 is an international challenge where undergraduate students develop strategic solutions for integrating hydrogen into the global economy to meet net-zero targets. Finalists will present their proposals live at the Canadian Hydrogen Convention in Edmonton, gaining industry exposure, networking opportunities, and a chance to win a $10,000 grand prize.

Hosted by:

Branden Choi, Interdisciplinary Consulting Association (ICA)
Yisoo Moon, Interdisciplinary Consulting Association (ICA)

Special remarks from:

Taoufik Saidani, Key Markets and Government Affairs Manager, Air Liquide
Brent Lakeman, Executive Director, Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB

3:05 pm to 4:15 pm: Edmonton Unlimited Hydrogen Venture Showcase

Panel discussion & showcase

The Edmonton Unlimited Hydrogen Venture Showcase will feature five hydrogen and cleantech companies presenting live on stage—offering the audience a front-row look at emerging technologies, bold ideas, and the startups driving innovation in Canada’s hydrogen economy. This is a unique opportunity to discover who’s next in the sector and connect with the entrepreneurs shaping its future.

To open the session, a panel discussion with representatives from Edmonton Unlimited, Startup TNT, and Plug and Play will explore how the Edmonton region is building a strong pipeline of investable hydrogen ventures. The conversation will highlight the region’s clean tech momentum, growing startup ecosystem, and what it takes to turn early-stage innovation into scalable success.

Panelists

Tarek El Naggar, Venture Associate, Plug and Play
Zack Storms, Co-Founder, Startup TNT
Jeff Shon, Head of Campus Innovation, Edmonton Unlimited

Emcee: Colin Macdonald, Program Specialist, Accelerate, Edmonton Unlimited