DES is back in 2026!
September 29-October 2 | St John’s NL, Canada
Learn how the best build better and faster with AI
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DES is CoLab’s annual user conference, where 100+ global engineering teams converge to exchange ideas about product development, AI, and engineering collaboration. Learn from CoLab’s team, plus your peers in aerospace, automotive, medical devices and more.
Hosted by North America’s fastest-growing AI engineering company.
Calling all engineering leaders ready for an innovation revolution
You became an engineer to bring life-changing products to market. So why does it feel like you and your team are just scratching the surface of what’s possible in hardware engineering?
DES is back in 2026 — with the same format you’ve come to love: one part user conference + one part engineering leadership summit, where you can meet likeminded people driving real change (in your industry and outside it).
We’re excited to invite you back (or for the first time!) to our hometown in St. John's, Newfoundland: one of the most rugged, beautiful places on the planet. And you can expect an even heavier dose of AI this time:
In between peer-led demos and roadmap previews, you’ll learn from AI and engineering experts with practical experience in product development and digital transformation.
This is where forward-thinking engineers come to share what’s working, challenge the old ways, and shape the future of how engineering gets done.
More than the user conference you’ve come to know
Peer led demos
Find out exactly how other engineering teams are using CoLab by watching your peers demo their use cases live. Maximize your investment in CoLab with ideas on how to unlock new features or kickstart new use cases.
Breakout sessions
Join smaller, expert-led deep dives that cut into how AI, design reviews, and VA/VE strategies are helping teams move faster, make better decisions, and keep production on track.
New features and roadmap previews
Be the first to try new and unreleased functionality in CoLab, make your voice heard through product feedback sessions, and get a sneak preview of our roadmap.
Networking
Meet the people behind the ideas. Network with fellow engineers and industry experts in relaxed settings that make it easy to share insights and spark new connections. Between sessions, take time to explore St. John’s — from its colorful harborfront to its local pubs and coastal views.
Conference Agenda
Autoneum, Head of Product Development
Johnson Controls, Engineering Process Manager
GD&T Technical Sales Director, SME and Trainer at SAE International
Wescam (L3Harris), Staff Engineer in Mechanical Engineering
AGI, Product Design Chain Products Manager
Professor
Vestas, Vice President
Nate Friedlander, Engineering at Vitesco
Prashant Redy, Digital Transformation at Schaeffler
You don’t really want to go to Orlando or Scottsdale again, do you?
It’s hard to argue with sunshine and swimming pools. But that’s the thing with the status quo, right? It’s hard to argue with.
Can we interest you in a little adventure, instead?
CoLab was proudly founded in – and still operates out of – Newfoundland and Labrador. We invite you to join us here in St. John’s – the Easternmost point in North America. In between learning and networking, you’ll get to explore rugged coastline, eat great seafood, and maybe even become an honorary Newfoundlander.
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Accommodations
If you wish to book outside of the listed dates, please contact The Delta Hotel by Marriott Reservations Department directly by email, at reservationsdtsj@whg.com as dates pre and post event are based on availability.
Apply to be a speaker!
The first 10 approved speakers will receive a free conference pass, plus flights and hotel rooms on us!
David Kowatch, Global Operations & Supply Chain Leader, Smith+Nephew, speaking at DES 2025
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Use our helpful pre-written letter to support your request.