Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper

  • The annual Ship to Shore Industrial Tradeshow returned to CFB Esquimalt’s Naden Athletic Centre on Oct 7
  • Over 50 vendors showcased innovations across industrial, marine, and defence sectors
  • Complimentary food, coffee, and over $2500 in prizes and flight vouchers energized the day

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From cutting-edge equipment to community connection, the annual Ship to Shore Industrial Tradeshow celebrated more than industry — it celebrated partnerships.

Presented by the Lookout Newspaper, the one-day event brought together over 50 vendors from across industrial, marine, and defence industries to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt’s Naden Athletic Centre on Oct 7 for a showcase of the latest products and services supporting Canada’s defence operations. With free admission extended to regular and reserve Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members along with civilian employees, Ship to Shore has brought industrial knowledge, food, and excitement to the local military and civilian community for over a decade. For those travelling from other units, rounders provided complimentary, accessible transportation from Signal Hill, Colwood, and Work Point, allowing the entire Esquimalt Defence team to participate.

With a lively atmosphere, Ship to Shore featured rows of booths showcasing everything from advanced safety equipment and marine components to digital tools and industrial innovations designed to improve efficiency and readiness. As such, the event featured exciting innovations like Commander Warehouse Equipment’s award-winning modular workstation; Fluid Film’s readyto-use rust and corrosion prevention products; and Canadian Safety Equipment’s new AVON-Protection MITR-M1 half-face safety mask.

To FASTENAL’s Andrew Compton, participating in Ship to Shore felt like home. “I actually served in the military for over 10 years, and being here is a different sort of service and support to me,” said Compton. “We also hire a lot of military spouses, so the Defence community is ingrained in our business year-round — not just at military tradeshows.”

To Julie Shepard, Westshore Bank of Montreal (BMO) Branch Manager, Ship to Shore meant fulfilment. “We love this tradeshow because giving back to the local Defence community and helping service members understand their financial opportunities has always been important to BMO,” she said. BMO has been a Ship to Shore vendor for over five years.

In addition to meeting with suppliers, community partners, and military leadership, the annual event also provided vendors with an opportunity to showcase their newest innovations — something Pelican’s Aaron Collett found particularly valuable.

“This year, we’re really focused on our safety approved flashlights that not only meet regulations but are very exciting for those on front lines. They’re shatter-proof, can be used for self-defence, hands-free, and are some of the most high-performance on the market,” said Collette.

The tradeshow also featured new vendors. “It’s our first year,” said Ashley McDowall from Langford-based Adam’s Tarp and Tool. “The energy is positive and we’re glad to be here.”

Beyond its exhibits, Ship to Shore was a celebration of the local Defence community. Complimentary hot dogs, chips, and coffee were provided to all attendees, while door prizes collectively valued at over $2,500, along with WestJet flight vouchers and other independent vendor giveaways, kept energy high throughout the event. Thank you to event sponsor Seaspan, base cook Master Sailor (MS) Yu Benjamin, and all Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) volunteers for supporting the 2025 Ship to Shore Industrial Tradeshow.