Activities
Sponsor Exhibition
Visit the TQC 2026 Sponsor Exhibition to meet representatives from organizations across the quantum ecosystem and learn more about their research, technologies, and opportunities.
The exhibitions will take place in the foyer during two dedicated networking periods:
Tuesday, September 1, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (with snacks available and bar service at your expense)
Thursday, September 3, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM (bar service at your expense)
Whether you are interested in quantum research, industry developments, career opportunities, or simply connecting with members of the broader quantum community, we encourage you to stop by and visit the exhibits!
Excursions
As part of the TQC 2026 social program, participants are invited to choose one of the following three excursions, taking place on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 2.
Nature Excursion
This excursion is designed for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, offering participants the opportunity to discover one of the Eastern Townships’ most iconic outdoor destinations: Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook. Participants will hike the Coaticook Gorge “Canyon” Trail, a 3.5 km route that takes approximately 1 h 30 min and includes the longest suspended footbridge in North America. The bridge stretches 169 meters in length and stands approximately 50 meters above the river, providing spectacular views of the canyon and surrounding forest.
Along the trail, participants will encounter interpretation panels presenting various aspects of the park’s natural environment, including its wildlife, plant life, and geological features, making this excursion both scenic and educational.
Following the visit, the excursion continues to Laiterie de Coaticook, a renowned local dairy shop famous for its ice cream, cheese curds, and traditional dairy products. This stop offers participants the opportunity to relax and enjoy one of Coaticook’s signature culinary experiences before returning from the excursion.
Round-trip transportation by bus is included.
Cultural Excursion
This cultural excursion offers participants the opportunity to explore downtown Sherbrooke through a flexible guided city discovery experience. Registered participants will receive a one-page map highlighting recommended points of interest and suggested walking routes. Transportation is facilitated through complimentary bus tickets, although participants may also choose to travel independently by car or bicycle.
The guided routes will feature a selection of Sherbrooke’s cultural and historical landmarks, including Marché de la Gare, a walk around the scenic Lac des Nations circuit, the Musée de la Nature et des Sciences, the famous Tour des Murales, and the historic district along the Magog River near the dam area, featuring heritage sites such as the old prison and the Wellington North and Dufferin sectors.
The excursion concludes at Siboire, where participants will enjoy a guided visit of the microbrewery accompanied by beer tastings before returning to the hotel at their convenience.
Scientific Excursion
This excursion offers participants a behind-the-scenes look at three pillars of Sherbrooke’s quantum and technology ecosystem: the Institut quantique (IQ), the Institut interdisciplinaire d’innovation technologique (3IT), and DistriQ – Quantum Innovation Zone. The excursion provides a unique opportunity to engage with the people, tools, and ideas shaping the future of quantum technologies in Sherbrooke.
Institut quantique (IQ)
One of Canada’s leading research centers dedicated entirely to quantum science and technology. Through a guided tour of the facilities, participants will gain insight into the experimental and computational infrastructure that supports the institute’s research, and discover how fundamental discoveries are translated into emerging quantum technologies. The visit will showcase the institute’s two flagship platforms:
- Quantum FabLab, an interdisciplinary collaboration platform dedicated to the fabrication and characterization of quantum materials and devices.
- AlgoLab, which explores the potential of quantum computing across a wide range of application domains.
3IT (Institut interdisciplinaire d’innovation technologique)
The 3IT is the Université de Sherbrooke’s interdisciplinary research institute bridging fundamental science and industrial innovation. With state-of-the-art infrastructure supporting socially responsible technologies, the institute advances research in micro- and nano-fabrication, photonics, advanced materials, energy systems, robotics, medical technologies, and digital innovation. During the visit, you will see firsthand how the 3IT accelerates innovation to address major societal challenges and support emerging quantum and electronic technologies.
DistriQ (Sherbrooke Quantum Innovation Zone)
Discover the career and collaboration opportunities offered by the companies and partners based in the Sherbrooke Quantum Innovation Zone!
Round-trip transportation by bus is included.
TQC Board Games Night
Join us on Wednesday 8:00 PM in Salle Sherbrooke (conference room) for a fun evening of board games with fellow conference participants!
The activity will be hosted by Montagu Sherbrooke, whose facilitators will be available throughout the evening to explain rules, suggest games, and help people join a table. Whether you’re an experienced gamer or completely new to board games, you’re welcome to participate. We’ll also be joined by several Québec game designers, who will be sharing some of their games and playing alongside participants. This is a great chance to discover new games and meet their creators.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session
Bring your questions and join the conversation.
The Ask Me Anything (AMA) session at TQC 2026 will provide an informal and interactive space for conference participants, particularly students and early-career researchers, to connect with experienced members of the quantum community.
Through small-group conversations, participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with advisors from academia, industry, and government, hear about their experiences, and ask questions that may not normally come up during technical conference sessions.
The questions can include research journeys and directions, graduate studies, academic and industry careers, professional development, publishing and collaboration, work–life balance, and perspectives on the future of quantum computing and quantum information.
The session is intended to be open and conversational, allowing participants to exchange ideas, explore different career and research paths, and learn directly from the experiences of members of the TQC community.
Come curious, leave with new perspectives and connections across the quantum community.
See who will be there to answer your questions :
| Name | Title | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Wilde | Professor | Cornell University |
| Dominic Berry | Professor | Macquarie University |
| Naoki Yamamoto | Professor | Keio University |
| Sevag Gharibian | Professor | Paderborn University |
| Saeed Mehraban | Assistant Professor | Tufts University |
| Gecia Bravo-Hermsdorff | Lecturer | University of Bath |
| Ningping Cao | Researcher | National Research Council Canada |
| Kevin Thompson | R&D S&E, Computer Science | Sandia National Laboratories |
| Noah Shutty | Researcher | Google Quantum AI |
| Sumanth Puttur | Vice President of People | Horizon Quantum |
| Maxime Tremblay | Researcher | Hydro-Québec (IREQ) |
| Mark Webster | Researcher | IonQ |
| Jacob Watkins | Quantum Algorithms Researcher | JPMorganChase |
| Aarthi Meenakshi Sundaram | Researcher | Microsoft |
| Takashi Yamakawa | Researcher | NTT |
| Elizabeth Iwasawa | Director of Quantum | RBC |
| Yota Maeda | Researcher | Toyota Central R&D Labs. Inc. |
| Étienne Lord | Research Scientist | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
Banquet
Join us on Thursday for an evening of good food and conversation with fellow conference participants!
The banquet will take place in Salle Sherbrooke (conference room) and we kindly ask all attendees to be seated by 6:30 PM. The evening includes a four-course meal and two glasses of wine per guest. A cash bar will also be available in the foyer for additional beverage purchases.
Bonus! A photo booth will be available throughout the evening, offering a fun opportunity to capture memories with colleagues and friends and take home a printed photo souvenir from TQC 2026.
We look forward to celebrating with you!