Ottawa will host a significant gathering of the global geospatial standards community this spring as the ISO/TC 211 62nd Plenary Meeting takes place in Canada’s capital.

This international meeting brings together experts from around the world to advance geospatial standards that underpin modern mapping, Earth observation, digital infrastructure, and data interoperability.

For Canadian practitioners, organizations, and government leaders, this moment presents a unique opportunity to connect global standards work with national implementation, collaboration, and leadership.

View the official ISO TC211 Ottawa Welcome Guide (PDF)

From Global Standards to National Implementation

The ISO/TC 211 plenary focuses on the development and maintenance of international geospatial standards. These standards form the foundation for interoperability across systems, organizations, and borders.

Immediately following these meetings, GeoIgnite 2026 will bring together Canada’s geospatial leadership community to focus on how these standards are applied in practice across infrastructure, defence, environment, and digital systems.

“The transition from ISO to GeoIgnite reflects a natural progression from standards development to applied leadership, implementation, and national coordination.”

— Jonathan Murphy, CEO, GoGeomatics Canada

Where the Communities Connect

To support this transition from global standards to national collaboration, GeoIgnite 2026 will open with a dedicated day of public and community engagement in Ottawa.

Monday Open Day – Free to Attend

This open day is designed to bring together the Canadian geospatial community alongside international ISO participants.

Open access sessions and discussions
Networking between Canadian and international delegates
Opportunities to engage with standards experts and practitioners

Cost: Free to attend (registration required)

OGC Canada Forum

Also taking place during this opening day, the OGC Canada Forum will convene leaders from government, industry, and academia to focus on interoperability, standards adoption, and Canada’s role in the global geospatial ecosystem.

Government geospatial leaders
Industry innovators and solution providers
Standards and interoperability experts

This forum serves as a critical bridge between ISO standards development and real-world implementation in Canada.

Who Should Attend

This week of activity is highly relevant for a wide range of participants across the geospatial ecosystem:

Federal, provincial, and municipal government leaders involved in geospatial strategy, infrastructure, and data governance
Defence and security organizations working in GEOINT, Arctic sovereignty, and situational awareness
Engineering, construction, and infrastructure firms advancing digital delivery, BIM, and digital twins
Earth observation and space sector organizations contributing to national resilience and monitoring capabilities
Standards professionals and technical experts engaged in ISO, OGC, and interoperability initiatives
Academic and research institutions supporting innovation and workforce development

Participation Options and Costs

In addition to formal plenary participation, several open ISO/TC 211 sessions will provide direct access for the broader community to engage with standards development and application.

ISO/TC 211 Plenary: Participation through national delegation (typically coordinated through Standards Council of Canada)
Open ISO/TC 211 Sessions: Several open sessions of interest to the broader geospatial community will be available during the plenary week:

Modernizing Metadata Panel

Wednesday, May 6, 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
A discussion on the evolution of the metadata standard in Canada, followed by a panel with representatives from the federal government, industry, and standards organizations on the future of metadata.
Register for the Modernizing Metadata Panel

Standards in Action Session

Wednesday, May 6, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
A recurring ISO/TC 211 session bringing together the geospatial community to share experiences and discuss the practical application of these standards.
Register for the Standards in Action Session

Arctic Session

Friday, May 8, 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
An informative session focused on Arctic priorities, with participation from NRCan, academia, and Indigenous representation is anticipated.
Register for the Arctic Session

GeoIgnite Open Day (Monday): Free (registration required)
OGC Canada Forum: Included as part of Monday programming
GeoIgnite Conference (May 11–13): Paid registration

GeoIgnite conference passes provide access to all plenary sessions, program tracks, networking events, and industry engagement opportunities.

View full GeoIgnite program and registration options

A Unique Moment for Canada

The alignment of the ISO/TC 211 plenary with GeoIgnite 2026 creates a rare opportunity for Canada’s geospatial community to engage directly with global standards leaders while advancing national priorities.

From standards development to implementation, from global collaboration to sovereign capability, Ottawa will serve as a focal point for the future of geospatial in Canada.

Participants are encouraged to take advantage of this convergence by engaging in both the ISO meetings and the broader GeoIgnite program.

Global Geospatial Standards Come to Ottawa: ISO/TC 211 Plenary Sets the Stage for a Defining Week in Canada

From Global Standards to National Implementation