The ASD Convention is the annual gathering of the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe, bringing together over 300 chief executives, policymakers and industry experts from across Europe's aerospace, defence and security sector. The 2026 edition took place 27-29 April in Lisbon, Portugal, co-hosted with AED (Portugal's Aeronautics, Space and Defence Cluster). Rotating in location across Europe, the Convention is the most senior industry-policy interface in the European defence and aerospace calendar.
Note: The 2026 edition (Lisbon, 27-29 April 2026) is past. The next edition (2027) has not yet been announced.
The ASD Convention is the annual flagship gathering of ASD – AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe, the representative body for Europe's aerospace, defence, security and space industries. Held in a rotating European city each year in spring, the Convention convenes the most senior figures from ASD's member companies (25 major European companies and 23 national associations representing over 4,000 companies across 19 countries) alongside EU institutional representatives, policymakers and allied governments. It is a by-invitation, high-level industry-policy dialogue rather than a public exhibition.
ASD was established in its current form through the merger of predecessor associations (AECMA, EDIG and EUROSPACE) and has convened an annual convention to set the strategic agenda for European aerospace and defence industry since the early 2000s. The convention rotates between Brussels and partner member-country capitals, reflecting ASD's pan-European membership. Hosting responsibilities have been shared by national associations acting as co-organisers, which shapes each edition's thematic emphasis. The choice of Lisbon for 2026 reflected AED Portugal's growing role in European defence industrial policy and Portugal's own ambitions in the sector.
The 2026 edition was held 27-29 April 2026 in Lisbon, co-hosted with AED – Portugal's Aeronautics, Space and Defence Cluster. The programme featured high-level plenaries on European civil aeronautics strategy and the "Buy European, build together" agenda for defence and technological sovereignty. A dedicated SME Programme ran across the first day and morning of the second day, connecting smaller companies with prime contractors, policymakers, investors and potential partners. Specific sessions addressed access to the European Defence Fund, the EIC Accelerator, the EIF, commercial banks and NATO DIANA. The Convention opened on the evening of 27 April with a networking reception in Lisbon's city centre, followed by a full programme day on 28 April.
The ASD Convention occupies a unique position in the European defence policy calendar: it is the one event where the chief executives of Europe's largest aerospace and defence companies meet face-to-face with the EU institutions that shape the sector's regulatory and funding environment. Unlike trade exhibitions such as Eurosatory, DSEI or Paris Air Show, the Convention produces no product showcases or live demonstrations. Its value lies entirely in access to a concentrated network of decision-makers. It is broadly comparable in function to the BIAC meetings at the OECD or the Munich Security Conference for the government-security track, but for the industrial constituency specifically.
Attendees are drawn from ASD's direct membership: chief executives and senior leadership of Europe's 25 largest aerospace and defence companies, representatives of 23 national associations and their member companies, and invited representatives of EU institutions (European Commission, European Defence Agency, EIC, EIF). Attendance is not open to the public or to companies outside the ASD membership network without a specific invitation from the organiser or a national member association. The SME programme creates a structured pathway for smaller companies to attend targeted sessions.
The Convention runs over approximately two and a half days. The format includes:
The Convention's thematic agenda tracks ASD's four core sectors: civil aviation, defence, security and space. In recent years the balance has shifted toward European defence sovereignty, industrial co-operation frameworks, supply chain resilience and the integration of SMEs into European defence value chains. The 2026 edition gave particular emphasis to "Buy European, build together" -- the policy frame linking European Defence Fund disbursement to industrial preference -- and to access to defence finance.
| Dates | 27-29 April 2026 (past) |
| Location | Lisbon, Portugal |
| Co-host | AED – Aeronautics, Space and Defence Cluster of Portugal |
| Attendees | 300+ (chief executives, policymakers, industry experts) |
| ASD member companies represented | 25 major European companies, 23 national associations |
| Sector coverage | Aerospace, defence, security, space |
The Convention is a member-organisation event. Direct participation as a delegate requires membership in ASD or one of its 23 national member associations. The SME Programme creates an additional access path for smaller companies affiliated with national associations. Companies outside the membership network should contact their national aerospace and defence association to explore participation options.
The location and dates of the 2027 edition had not been announced as of June 2026. ASD typically announces the following year's convention city during or shortly after the current edition. Check asd-europe.org for updates.
ASD is an independent industry trade association. It works closely with the European Defence Agency (EDA), the European Commission (DG DEFIS, DG GROW) and NATO as a stakeholder and policy interlocutor, but it is not part of any of these bodies. The Convention regularly features representatives from these institutions as speakers or panel participants.
The 2026 edition was held in Lisbon, Portugal. The specific venue was not publicly disclosed on the ASD website as of the date of this fiche; conventions of this type at this scale typically take place in conference hotels or convention centres in the city centre. Lisbon is served by Humberto Delgado International Airport with direct connections to all major European capitals. For the 2027 edition, the venue has not yet been announced. Contact events@asd-europe.org for venue enquiries.
ASD is the voice of European aerospace, defence, security and space industries. Headquartered in Brussels, it represents 25 major European companies and 23 national associations, covering over 4,000 companies across 19 European countries. ASD member companies collectively employed 921,000 people and generated a turnover of EUR 261 billion in 2022, accounting for approximately 97% of the aerospace and defence industry's turnover within EU Member States. ASD engages with EU institutions, ICAO, EASA, the European Chemicals Agency and other bodies on behalf of the sector. It is the European counterpart of bodies such as the AIA (USA) or SJAC (Japan). Convention contacts: events@asd-europe.org.
The ASD Convention is Brussels-power in a different city each year -- the closed-room meeting where European defence industrial policy is debated between the CEOs who will have to implement it.
Registration and invitations are managed directly by ASD (events@asd-europe.org). There is no public registration portal. Companies should approach ASD directly or through their national aerospace and defence association. The SME Programme in 2026 had a dedicated registration process described on the ASD website. Registration fees, if any, are not publicly disclosed; the Convention is member-access rather than open-ticket.
Non-European companies may attend if they are affiliates of ASD national member associations or if specifically invited. ASD does maintain relationships with peer associations in non-European countries. Direct enquiries should go to events@asd-europe.org.
ASD issues press accreditation on application. Accredited media receive access to press briefings and public plenary sessions. Contact the ASD communications team via the website contact form.
The convention rotates cities annually, so travel and accommodation should be arranged as soon as the city and dates are announced, typically 4-6 months before the event. For the 2027 edition, monitor asd-europe.org for the announcement.
| Official website | https://www.asd-europe.org/ |
| ASD Convention 2026 page | https://www.asd-europe.org/news-media/news-events/event-calendar/asd-convention-2026/ |
| https://be.linkedin.com/company/asd-europe | |
| X | not disclosed |
| Register / contact | events@asd-europe.org |
| Programme | not disclosed publicly |