When the doors opened at 10:00 AM, the line was already stretching down the hallway of the Brookstreet Hotel. Popcorn machines were firing, resumes were being tucked into folders, and cameras were flashing at the free headshot booth powered by Warner Bros. Discovery. By noon, both ballrooms were packed wall to wall. Software developers, engineers, marketers, and talent seekers alike all came together for one purpose: real connection.
This year’s Discover Technata Career Fair drew 2,300 attendees and 32 exhibitors, with companies eager to meet Ottawa’s top-tier talent in person. In an era of online applications and Zoom interviews, this event proved just how valuable face-to-face interactions still are.
Big Talent. Big Names. Big Wins.
From first-time exhibitors like Lumentum and the Youth Services Bureau, to longtime champions like Kinaxis, QNX, and Nokia, the floor buzzed with opportunity. Warner Bros. Discovery powered a free headshot booth (over 370 attendees got professional photos taken), handed out popcorn, and lit up their corner with show posters and on-the-spot conversations. The Ottawa Senators raffled off tickets, gave away swag, and offered $30 game tickets to students looking to join their fandom.
Ericsson’s Innovation Drive ballroom stayed busy all day, with attendees crowding booths from Carleton University, Mmist, Pleora Technologies, and more. “Everyone is very happy to be here,” one attendee shared. “It feels more like a person-to-person conversation, rather than a person-to-company conversation.”
Incredible Talent. Unmatched Energy.
The diversity of talent was striking: students, recent grads, and experienced professionals mingled with recruiters and hiring managers. Ottawa, after all, boasts the highest concentration of tech talent in North America (CBRE, 2024), and companies across the city came to Kanata North to tap into that.
“We’ve got an incredibly diverse and rich pool of technology companies here in the park,” said Liberal Candidate Jenna Sudds, who toured the floor with KNBA’s Executive Director, Kelly Daize. “They know they can find the best and the brightest in their fields here in Kanata and Ottawa.”
Erin Moretto and Jessica Roedig of the KNBA awarded Nanometrics with this year’s coveted Best in Tech prize for their booth demo. Councillor Curry reminded attendees: “This is Canada’s Largest Tech Park. There aren’t just one or two companies here. There are 570 companies in this tech park, and they bring in $14 billion in GDP every year.”
Collaboration Over Competition
This year’s fair wasn’t just about hiring—it was about community. Company-to-company collaboration was just as important as company-to-candidate connections. From co-ops to C-suite roles, everyone came to Discover Technata looking to grow.
And thanks to the support of our incredible sponsors—Ericsson, Warner Bros. Discovery, University of Ottawa, and Huawei—the entire event delivered. From engaging booth setups to top-tier tech demos, these partners helped power a career fair that brought energy, authenticity, and opportunity.
What’s Next?
If you missed out, don’t worry. We’re just getting started.
Discover Technata isn’t just a one-day event. It’s a movement built around our pillars: tech, talent, and community. Stay tuned for our upcoming Discover Technata Hacks hackathon this fall, and explore 24/7 opportunities on our job board at jobs.discovertechnata.com.
Want to exhibit next year? You should. Ottawa’s talent pool is unmatched, and Kanata North is where the future of tech lives.
As Councillor Curry best put it: “This is the place to be.”
Written by Hannah Manierka, Kanata North Business Association.
Exhibitors: Ericsson • Warner Bros. Discovery • Huawei Technologies Canada Co. • University of Ottawa Kanata North • Ross Video • Fidus • Nanometrics • Kinaxis • MDA Space • QNX • CIRA • Nokia • Syntronic • Altis Recruitment and Technology • Sanmina •MC Countermeasures • Hiboo Networks • Mmist • Communications Security Establishment Canada • Pleora Technologies • Quarry Consulting Inc. • Sprott School of Business – Carleton University • Lumentum • ORBCOMM • Gastops Ltd. • YSB Employment Services • Procom • LRO Staffing • Sciemetric • Ottawa Senators • Primerica • JSI Telecom
Special thanks to: ishootevents.ca, More Than Media, Event Design, Brookstreet Hotel, Big Rig Brewery.
