Getting to GeoIgnite

GeoIgnite is held in Ottawa, ON at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, 200 Coventry Road. The closest airport is the Ottawa International Airport (YOW) which is approximately 20 minutes from the venue.

Transportation Options

• Airport to Venue: Taxi, Rideshare (Uber/Lyft), Public Transit (Bus/Train Line).

• Arriving by Car: For those driving in, the GeoIgnite venue is easily accessible from major highways and roads in Ottawa. Convenient parking options are available nearby, and the venue is just a short drive from Highway 417. Follow signs to the Ottawa Train Station on Tremblay Road for a straightforward route, with the venue only a couple of minutes away.

• Parking: On-site is free and nearby parking lots are available.

• Easy VIA Train Access: Travelers from Montreal or Toronto can take VIA Rail to the Ottawa Train Station on Tremblay Road. A convenient footbridge connects the station to the GeoIgnite venue, followed by a short walk of just a couple of minutes.

2. Hotel Information

Official Conference Hotels

Room blocks have been reserved at the Courtyard by Marriott Ottawa East attached to the conference centre.

200 Coventry Road Ottawa, Ontario K1K 4S3
613-741-9862

The special rate of $199 CAD (approx. $140 USD) per night is available until April 11, 2025.

Click here to book. 

3. Conference Schedule

May 12th – Pre-Conference Activity Day & Exhibitor Setup Day (12PM-4PM)

May 13th  – Plenary Sessions & Exhibition Hall

May 14th  – Breakout Sessions & Exhibition Hall

Click here to view the conference program. 

4. Important Information

GeoIgnite 2025 is co-hosting the buildingSMART Canada National Summit, featuring dedicated programs and workshops focused on the AECO industry and Canada’s built environment. Some activities require a separate ticket.

Your GeoIgnite ticket includes access to all activities, including lunch and snacks on May 13 and 14, excluding the buildingSMART Canada networking event.

May 12, the pre-conference day, focuses on workshops and special programs. Some available for free and others requiring a fee. Please check below for more details.

5. Workshops and Forums

FREE PROGRAMS

May 12, 9 AM: Canada’s Geospatial Future: Innovation & Self-Reliance – FREE & OPEN TO ALL

This open forum invites all attendees to engage in discussions on Canada’s path toward greater self-reliance in the geospatial sector, particularly in light of emerging trade conflicts, including the recent U.S. tariffs, and evolving global geopolitical shifts. The forum will explore strategies to strengthen Canada’s technological capabilities and reduce reliance on external sources, with a focus on fostering innovation, security, and growth.

May 12, 11 AM: CCMEO Virtual Student Hackathon Results – Building Resilience with GEO.ca – FREE & OPEN TO ALL

CCMEO and GoGeomatics Canada have challenged Canadian students to use GEO.ca, Canada’s open geospatial data platform, to create innovative solutions. At GeoIgnite, the top three teams will present their solutions, followed by the announcement of the winning team.

May 12, 1 PM: OGC Canada Forum – FREE & OPEN TO ALL

Join the OGC Canada Forum to explore key topics like Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) and the integration of BIM with GIS. Experts from industry, academia, Indigenous organizations, and government will discuss the impact of these technologies on Canada’s built environment and how OGC standards enhance interoperability and innovation. Open to all Canadian organizations. This program is also available online. Register here

TICKETED PROGRAMS

May 12, 8.30 AM – Elevating Your Impact: From Technical Expert to Strategic GIS Leader – BUY TICKETS

This half-day workshop is intended to help existing GIS professionals, and those new to GIS in a management position, transition from a technical “What and How” focus on GIS technology to a strategic, value-oriented “Who and Why” mindset around what a GIS can contribute to the organization.

May 12, 9 AM: The Attuned Leader: Mastering Leadership in the Geospatial Arena – BUY TICKETS

This is an exclusive one-day leadership development program designed for emerging and mid-level professionals in the geospatial industry who want to build high-performing teams, communicate effectively, and lead with confidence.

May 12, 9.30 AM, BIM & GIS: Smarter Data, Smarter Decisions – BUY TICKETS

This foundational workshop designed to clarify the role of BIM in the geospatial landscape. Discover why BIM matters to GIS professionals and how the convergence of Digital Twins, BIM, and GIS is transforming industries.

May 12, 12 PM: Geospatial Insights Over Lunch – Bridging the Two Solitudes: The Future of Canada’s Geospatial Industry – BUY TICKETS (Complimentary for Keynote speakers and Advisory Board Members)

Join us for a lunchtime discussion on the future of Canada’s geospatial industry. The concept of Two Solitudes has long symbolized the divide between English and French Canada—how does this resonate within our geospatial ecosystem today? As global markets shift and technology advances, is Canada’s industry at risk of developing new silos, both domestically and in its reliance on the United States? This session will delve into these questions and explore opportunities to strengthen collaboration and leadership across sectors.

May 12, 12.30 PM: bSC Foundational Certification & ISO 19650 Compliance – BUY TICKETS

An in-depth overview of the buildingSMART Certification plus additional information on ISO 19650 compliance and BIM Executive Management using Plannerly.

May 12, 1 PM: Point Cloud Processing and Terrain Analysis in Global Mapper Pro – BUY TICKETS

A hands-on workshop exploring Global Mapper Pro’s 3D and terrain analysis features, including point cloud processing, DEM creation, volume calculations, and 3D dataset sharing.

May 12, 3 PM: BIM-GIS Integration Workflow with Open-source Tools – BUY TICKETS

Learn how to integrate BIM and GIS using open-source tools, including BonsaiBIM for IFC model preparation, QGIS for spatial data transformation, and Maplibre for web visualization.

May 12, 6:30 PM: Navigating the Future: Geospatial Insights & Live Music – BUY TICKETS

Join us for an evening of high-level discussion and networking at Rainbow Bistro in Ottawa’s ByWard Market. This discussion will explore the role of geospatial intelligence in addressing economic security, environmental resilience, and global collaboration. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and live music following the discussion.

6. Networking & Socials

May 12, 6:30 PM: Navigating the Future: Geospatial Insights & Live Music – BUY TICKETS

Join us for an evening of high-level discussion and networking at Rainbow Bistro in Ottawa’s ByWard Market. This discussion will explore the role of geospatial intelligence in addressing economic security, environmental resilience, and global collaboration. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and live music following the discussion.

May 13, 4:30 PM, GeoIgnite Social Mixer – FREE WITH YOUR CONFERENCE REGISTEATION

Join us for a casual social mixer, where you can relax and network with fellow geospatial professionals in an informal setting. It’s a great opportunity to connect, share ideas, and build relationships with industry peers in a relaxed atmosphere.

May 13, 7 PM: buildingSMART Canada Networking Party – BUY TICKET

Join us for an exclusive Networking Party at the Canada Science & Technology Museum, part of the 2025 buildingSMART Canada National Summit. Connect with industry leaders, innovators, and peers while enjoying refreshments and engaging discussions on the future of digital transformation in AECO.

7. Tips to Maximize Your Experience

Plan Your Sessions – Review the agenda & bookmark must-attend talks.

Engage on social media – Use #GeoIgnite2025 to connect with fellow attendees. Be sure to tag @GoGeomatics and @buildingSMARTCanada to maximize your visibility.

Bring Business Cards – Digital or printed, networking is key!

Visit the Exhibit Hall – Meet industry leaders

Download the Conference App – (Grenadine Event Guide) to create your personalized agenda! You can view the program for GeoIgnite 2025 by downloading the “Grenadine Event Guide” on iTunes or Google Play. If the app asks you to enter an app code, enter the code below: GeoIgnite2025

8. Contact Information

General Inquiries: events@gogeo.ca

Website: https://geoignite.ca