GeoConference 2014 – A Global Event in Old Quebec City
It’s been seven years since the last edition of this GeoConference, organized by the Canadian Institute of Geomatics (Section Champlain), the Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec, Laval University, and the International Federation of Surveyors. But good things come to those who wait, and the five-day GeoConference 2014 is shaping up to definitely be worth the wait.
Over 500 people have already registered for the October 7-11 Quebec City event, and organizers expect around 750 people from all over the world, and all areas of geomatics, to attend. These attendees are land surveyors, geomatics engineers, geospatial specialists, and more – anyone who wants to learn more about geospatial information and how it can help to solve problems from a perspective of sustainable development.
The theme of the event, “Revisiting Our World (Revoir Notre Monde)”, also takes a global perspective. Annick Jaton, Co-chair of GeoConference 2014, says that “we want this event to be a meeting for all people involved in geomatics; people who do not usually meet or work together, but have much more in common than they think!”
So far, 30 countries are being represented, including Sweden, Burundi, Greece, Colombia, Austria, Algeria, Haiti, USA, France, The Netherlands, and Morocco.
One of the highlights of the week is the FIG Commission 7, taking place just outside Quebec City at the beautiful Forêt Montmorency on October 7 and 8. GeoConference 2014 is hosting this annual meeting of the International Federation of Surveyors, and while it is open to all, space is limited, so be sure to reserve your seat soon!
In addition, geospatial entrepreneurs from all different sectors will be showcasing their products and services at the Exhibition, running from October 9 to 10. It’s sure to be a lively atmosphere; the exhibition halls are all full! Exhibitors include Esri, K2 Geospatial, and Effigis.
Of course, no conference would be complete without some great speakers, and GeoConferene 2014 has an impressive schedule of speakers from all over the world during the October 9 and 10 plenary sessions. To help make the talks more accessible, simultaneous interpretation will be available for the lectures presented only in French. Here are just a few that you don’t want to miss:
- Mr. Edmond Mulet, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations, and former Head of UN Mission for stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Mr. Mulet will be the keynote speaker in the Climate Change and Disaster Management session
- Dr. Carlo Ratti, Professor and Chair of the SENSEable City Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Dr. Ratti will be the keynote speaker in the session on Smart Cities and spatially enabled societies
- Ms. Vanessa Lawrence, Secretary General of Ordnance Survey International, Co-Chair of the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management Initiative and Patron of MapAction, United Kingdom
- Ms. Clarissa Augustinus, Head of Land and Global Land Tool Network, UN Habitat, Kenya
- Mr. Gavin Adlington, Land Program Team Leader, World Bank, USA
- Dr. Chryssy Potsiou, President elect, International Federation of Surveyors and professor, Technical University of Athens, Greece
GeoConference 2014 is not just for professionals and industry leaders. The conference aims to open up the GeoCommunity to everyone by holding interactive activities for youth and the general public throughout the week. Students in particular are encouraged to attend the free Career Evening, which will give them a chance to discuss their careers with three geomatics leaders. As Annick Jaton explains, organizers want to help the general public realize “that there are many passionate people working hard behind the maps and information they use every day.” For students who wish to attend the conference, special pricing is available.
With the backdrop of historic Old Quebec City, GeoConference2014 is not just about sharing information, but also celebrating a vibrant culture of geomatics from around the world. “Everyone in the geocommunity has to participate,” says Annick Jaton, “because GeoConference 2014 is an international gathering that is both instructive and festive, and a unifying force as well…It’s a rendez-vous!”
GeoConference 2014 is taking place October 7-11 in Quebec City. For more information, visit www.geocongres2014.ca.
