--- eventsindex_id: "EI-05511" slug: sidec title: "SIDEC" title_alt: ["Slovenian International Defence Exhibition and Conference", "SIDEC 2026", "SIDEC Slovenia"] canonical_url: "https://eventsindex.org/events/sidec.html" next_edition_year: 2026 date_start: "2026-11-10" date_end: "2026-11-12" venue: "Celje Fair (Celjski sejem)" city: "Celje" country: "Slovenia" organiser: "Slovenian Defence Industry Cluster (GIZ GOIS) co-organised with the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia" organiser_url: "https://www.giz-gois.eu/?lang=en" b2b: true vector: sector: [defence] audience: [military, government, industry, procurement, security, researcher] format: [exhibition, conference] purpose: [business, networking, procurement, policy, innovation] geography_scope: [pan-EMEA] season: autumn meta_description: "SIDEC 2026, 10-12 Nov, Celje Fair, Slovenia. Slovenian International Defence Exhibition, 2nd edition: 180+ exhibitors, 10,000 visitors, 20 countries (2025)." editorial_take: "Central Europe's newest defence trade platform, driven directly by Slovenia's Ministry of Defence and the domestic industry cluster, and already growing faster than its biennial schedule originally intended." generated_by: "claude-max-cowork" last_verified: "2026-06-10" variables_filled: 44/58 language: "en" schema_version: "v6.0" --- # SIDEC > *The Slovenian International Defence Exhibition and Conference, held at the Celje Fair in Slovenia. The 2026 edition -- the second in the series -- runs from 10 to 12 November and brings together defence industry companies, armed forces representatives, procurement bodies and researchers from across Central and South-Eastern Europe. Access is by invitation and prior registration only; the event is closed to the general public.* --- ## Quick Facts | DATES | VENUE | ORGANISER | ATTENDANCE | |---|---|---|---| | **10-12 November 2026** | **Celje Fair** | **GIZ GOIS / Ministry of Defence** | **10,000+ visitors (2025 inaugural)** | | 3 days, planned biennial | Celje, Slovenia | Defence industry cluster + government | 180+ exhibitors, 20 countries (2025) | --- ## Definition SIDEC (Slovenian International Defence Exhibition and Conference) is an international defence trade fair and professional conference held at the Celje Fair in Celje, Slovenia. It is organised by the Slovenian Defence Industry Cluster (GIZ GOIS) and co-organised by the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovenian Armed Forces. The inaugural edition took place in October 2025. Due to strong demand and positive industry feedback, the organiser accelerated the schedule: the second edition will be held from 10 to 12 November 2026, one year after the first rather than on the biennial cycle originally planned. The event is restricted to accredited professionals and is not open to the general public. ## Origin and rationale SIDEC emerged from Slovenia's recognition that geopolitical change and the acceleration of defence technology development required a dedicated national platform where the Slovenian Ministry of Defence, the armed forces, the domestic defence industry cluster and international partners could meet, exhibit and exchange. The Slovenian defence industry cluster, GIZ GOIS, had been operating in the background of the European defence industrial landscape for years, but without a domestic trade event of its own. The launch of SIDEC in 2025 was intended to fill that gap, to showcase technologies developed under Ministry of Defence sponsorship, and to connect Slovenian companies with end users in partner armed forces and security agencies. The inaugural edition exceeded expectations, drawing more than 10,000 visitors and nearly 180 exhibitors from 20 countries, prompting the decision to hold the second edition in 2026 rather than waiting until 2027. ## The 2026 edition: second instalment, faster cycle The 2026 SIDEC takes place from 10 to 12 November at the Celje Fair, maintaining the same venue as the inaugural edition. As of June 2026, the organisers report that over 55 companies from 7 countries have already registered as exhibitors, with further registrations expected before the November opening. Visitor registration is managed through a dedicated government events portal. The format will again combine an exhibition of defence technologies with a two-day professional conference and an Open Forum programme. As in 2025, the event will showcase technologies developed under the auspices of the Slovenian Ministry of Defence, with particular emphasis on disruptive technologies and next-generation defence systems. The conference will address new paradigms in defence technology development across four thematic content areas. ## Where SIDEC sits in the defence calendar SIDEC occupies the November slot in the Central and South-Eastern European defence calendar, a period that follows the major autumn shows (DSEI in September of odd years, Milipol in November of even years) and positions itself as a more focused, Central European platform. Slovenia's location at the crossroads of Western and Eastern Europe -- bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia -- gives SIDEC geographic access to a distinctive mix of NATO member and accession-track defence communities. It does not compete with the largest European shows but fills a regional gap for an area that previously lacked a dedicated defence exhibition. ## Who attends SIDEC Exhibitors include Slovenian defence technology companies, research institutes and firms operating within the GIZ GOIS cluster framework, as well as international companies seeking access to the Central and South-Eastern European defence market. End-user attendees include representatives of partner and allied armed forces, police, public security agencies and civil defence organisations that use advanced defence technologies. The professional conference attracts researchers, policy makers and procurement officials. The event operates on an invitation and registration basis; attendees are vetted, and general public admission is not permitted. ## What the SIDEC format includes SIDEC combines three components: a physical exhibition of defence hardware, systems and technologies across the Celje Fair halls; a two-day professional conference with thematic panels covering four content areas related to defence technology development; and an Open Forum programme that provides a more informal platform for dialogue, networking and feedback exchange between industry, military and research stakeholders. B2B meeting facilities are integrated into the programme. The Celje Fair venue provides both indoor exhibition halls and outdoor areas suitable for larger equipment display. ## What SIDEC covers SIDEC's thematic scope centres on next-generation defence technologies developed in Slovenia and by regional partners, including soldier equipment and modernisation, unmanned systems and robotics, electronic warfare and communications, cybersecurity and information systems, simulation and training technologies, protective systems and survivability, and dual-use innovation at the intersection of civilian research and defence application. ## The 2025 inaugural edition in numbers *(organiser-declared)* | | | |---|---| | Exhibitors | nearly 180 | | Countries represented | 20 | | Visitors | more than 10,000 | | Duration | 3 days | | Access | by invitation and registration only | --- ## FAQ - Identity and audience ### Is SIDEC open to the general public? No. SIDEC is closed to the general public. Attendance requires prior registration and, for some categories, an invitation. This applies both to the exhibition and to the conference programme. Visitor registration is handled via the Slovenian government events portal (dogodki.vlada.si). ### Who organises SIDEC? The primary organiser is the Slovenian Defence Industry Cluster (GIZ GOIS). The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovenian Armed Forces are co-organisers. ProEvent d.o.o. acts as the technical organiser responsible for logistics, logistics, and on-site management. ### Why is the second edition happening one year after the first, rather than in 2027? The decision to hold SIDEC 2026 was driven by the exceptional success of the inaugural 2025 edition, which exceeded attendance and exhibitor forecasts. The organisers and the Ministry of Defence jointly decided that the level of interest and the rapidly evolving geopolitical context warranted an annual rather than biennial rhythm for the immediate term. --- ## The venue: Celje Fair The Celje Fair (Celjski sejem) is located in Celje, Slovenia's third-largest city, situated in the Savinja Valley approximately 70 km east of Ljubljana and 60 km west of Maribor. The venue is a large, established exhibition centre that hosts regional and national trade fairs across multiple sectors. It provides indoor exhibition halls and outdoor areas. Celje is served by rail connections to Ljubljana (approximately 1 hour) and by road via the A1 motorway. The nearest international airports are Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport (approximately 80 km) and Maribor Airport (approximately 70 km). Graz Airport (Austria) is approximately 100 km. ## The organiser: GIZ GOIS GIZ GOIS (Grozd Industrije za Obrambne in Varnostne Sisteme -- Slovenian Defence Industry Cluster) is the primary trade association for the Slovenian defence and security industry. It was established to represent and develop the domestic defence industry, connect Slovenian companies with international partners and end users, and support the development of a coherent national defence industrial base. GIZ GOIS works closely with the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia, which is both a co-organiser of SIDEC and the principal end user and sponsor of much of the technology on display. The Ministry's active co-organisation distinguishes SIDEC from purely commercial trade fairs and gives it an official governmental dimension. --- ## Editorial take *SIDEC is the only defence exhibition in the region jointly organised by a national ministry of defence and an industry cluster, which gives it a level of institutional legitimacy unusual for a show only in its second edition.* --- ## How to register and what it costs Exhibitor registration is handled through the SIDEC website (www.sidec.si/en/registration/). Visitor registration for 2026 is managed via the Slovenian government events portal at dogodki.vlada.si/sidec-2026-registration. Attendance is free for accredited visitors but requires prior online registration. Exhibitor participation pricing and conditions are available from the technical organiser, ProEvent, via the contacts on the SIDEC website. The event is B2B and professional in character; commercial terms for exhibition space are not publicly disclosed. ## FAQ - Access and practicalities ### What is the opening schedule? Opening hours at SIDEC 2026 are 9:00 to 17:00 on each of the three days (10-12 November 2026). ### How do I get to the Celje Fair? Celje is accessible by direct rail from Ljubljana (approximately 1 hour, multiple daily trains) and by road via the A1 motorway. Accommodation is available in Celje city centre as well as in Ljubljana for those willing to commute. The SIDEC website provides an accommodation and travel information page with additional guidance. ### Are there language requirements? The event operates in both Slovenian and English. The conference programme and official communications are provided in both languages. International exhibitors and visitors can engage primarily in English. --- ## First time at SIDEC? How to prepare - **Register early through the correct portal.** Visitor registration is on the government events portal (dogodki.vlada.si), not the main SIDEC website. Check that your professional profile qualifies for accreditation, as the event is restricted to industry, military and security professionals. - **Contact the organiser before the show to arrange B2B meetings.** SIDEC offers good access to Slovenian defence industry companies and Ministry of Defence contacts. Reach out via the exhibitor contacts on sidec.si to pre-book bilateral meetings, as these tend to be arranged in advance rather than improvised on the floor. - **Review the conference programme and secure a place on relevant panels.** The two-day professional conference is a central feature of SIDEC, not a side activity. Identify the thematic panels relevant to your area of work and register for them specifically, as session capacity may be limited. - **Plan your travel around Ljubljana or Celje.** Celje itself is a small city with limited international hotel capacity. Ljubljana offers a wider range of accommodation and is approximately one hour from Celje by rail or road. Book early as defence event delegations can fill local capacity quickly. - **Bring documentation of your professional affiliation.** Access is controlled and requires proof of professional status. Have credentials, business cards and any invitation letters accessible on arrival. --- ## Resources | Resource | URL | |---|---| | Official website | https://www.sidec.si/en/ | | LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidec-slovenia/ | | X | not disclosed | | Register (visitor) | https://dogodki.vlada.si/sidec-2026-registration | | Register (exhibitor) | https://www.sidec.si/en/registration/ | --- **Last verified:** 2026-06-10 **Next review:** 2026-09-10 **Notes:** Inaugural 2025 edition figures (180 exhibitors, 20 countries, 10,000 visitors) are organiser-declared. 2026 exhibitor count (55+ from 7 countries) reported on sidec.si as of June 2026. Acceleration from biennial to annual rhythm confirmed by official site and Slovenian government press release. Data fetched from sidec.si, gov.si, sloveniatimes.com, europeannewsroom.com 2026-06-10. **Variables:** 44/58 **Concept definition:** applicable