GeoIgnite 2025: Canada's Premier Geospatial Conference Driving Innovation and Self-Reliance

Metals and Mining Review | Friday, March 14, 2025

Ottawa, Canada: GeoIgnite 2025, Canada’s premier geospatial leadership conference, is shaping up to be an unmissable event, taking place from May 12-14, 2025, at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre. This state-of-the-art venue, with its unique architectural design and captivating windowed atrium, will serve as the perfect backdrop for the conference.

Bringing together geospatial professionals, industry leaders, government representatives, and academics, GeoIgnite 2025 will showcase the latest advancements in geospatial technologies, with applications in security, sustainability, urban planning, and infrastructure development. The conference will feature a dynamic range of panel discussions, technical sessions, and keynote speakers from around the globe, making it a must-attend event for those looking to stay at the forefront of the geospatial industry.

“We are excited to bring together leaders from government, industry, and academia to discuss the future of geospatial technologies,” said Jonathan Murphy, CEO and Founder of GoGeomatics. “GeoIgnite 2025 will showcase Canada’s leadership in geospatial innovation and its role in building a more self-reliant nation. We are looking forward to seeing the meaningful conversations and collaborations that will unfold during the event.”

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Ticket prices go up April 15; so don’t miss your chance to gain valuable insights and connect with industry leaders. Get your tickets here

Conference Tracks

● Advancements in Earth Observation: Harnessing Space-Based EO and AI for a Sustainable World

● GEOINT: Advancing Geospatial Intelligence for Security, Resilience, and Public Services

● Hydrospatial = Hydrography++: Exploring Innovations in Hydrography for the Blue Economy and Beyond

● BIM: Empowering the Digital Workforce: Boosting Productivity with AI, OpenBIM, and Information Standards

GeoIgnite 2025 Keynote Speakers

GeoIgnite 2025 brings together the brightest minds in the geospatial world, from top professionals and government representatives to major organizations across Canada and beyond. The conference will feature influential keynote speakers, including:

● Senior Canadian Government Executives

     • Manon Larocque, Director General, Canadian Hydrographic Service

     • Eric Loubier, Director General, Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Natural Resources Canada

    • Eric Vandenberg, Director General Intelligence Enterprise (DGIE), CFINTCOM, Canadian Armed Forces

● Global Geospatial Industry Leaders

      • Peter Rabley, CEO, Open Geospatial Consortium – Advancing Geospatial Innovation Through Collaboration

     • Keith Masback, Global Leader in Geospatial Intelligence – Shaping the Future of GEOINT

     • Nadine Alameh, Executive Director, Taylor Geospatial Institute – Leading Innovation in Geospatial Science

     • Alexander Verbeek, Policy Director, The Environment and Development Resource Centre – Policy, Climate Change, and Sustainable Development

    • Denis Hains, Founder, President & CEO, H2i

Special Events

GeoIgnite 2025 will co-host two special events.

2025 buildingSMART Canada National Summit: The 2025 buildingSMART Canada National Summit will focus on empowering the digital workforce through the integration of AI, OpenBIM, and information standards. This summit will address critical challenges in the AECOOM industry, including fragmented workflows, poor data interoperability, and slow adoption of digital technologies. The program will emphasize the alignment of BIM and GIS, highlighting how advanced technologies and standardized practices can foster efficiency, collaboration, and resilience. The summit aims to inspire discussions, share practical insights, and drive innovation in Canada’s geospatial and built environment sectors.

OGC Canada Forum: The Canada Forum will dive into two critical topics: Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) and the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This event will bring together thought leaders from industry, academia, Indigenous organizations, and government sectors to explore how these technologies can transform Canada’s built environment. Discussions will also cover the role of OGC standards in fostering interoperability and innovation.
Discussion Forum - Canada’s Geospatial Future: Innovation & Self-Reliance: This dedicated forum will focus on Canada’s journey toward greater self-reliance, in light of emerging trade conflicts, including challenges posed by the recent U.S. tariff and global geopolitical shifts. The open forum will explore how Canada can strengthen its technological capabilities and reduce dependency on external sources. Key topics will include fostering domestic innovation, need for data security and sovereign data infrastructure, supporting public-private partnerships, and leveraging geospatial solutions to enhance national security, infrastructure, and economic growth.

Click here to explore the conference schedule

Workshop and Exhibition

GeoIgnite 2025 will feature a wide array of workshops and exhibition floor displays showcasing cutting-edge technology, products, and solutions from the geospatial ecosystem and beyond. The exhibition will be attended by top geospatial companies and government agencies, providing attendees with opportunities to explore the latest advancements and engage with innovative solutions shaping the future of the geospatial industry. The event will attract a diverse audience, including government representatives at all levels, industry innovators from construction, engineering, and utilities, as well as academia and researchers advancing geospatial solutions and urban planning technologies.

 

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