GoGeomatics Canada and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) are pleased to announce a new three-year partnership to strengthen collaboration and knowledge-sharing across Canada’s geospatial sector.

Under this agreement, OGC will sponsor and co-develop the OGC Canada Forum, which will be hosted annually as part of GeoIgnite, GoGeomatics’ flagship national conference in Ottawa. The Forum will convene experts from government, academia, industry, and non-profits to exchange ideas on open standards, emerging technologies, and Canada’s evolving geospatial priorities.

The OGC Canada Forum serves as a collaborative platform for advancing the national geospatial strategy. Recent sessions have supported the work of the Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO) and the Canadian Council on Geomatics (CCOG) as they lead development of a Collaborative Geospatial Strategy for Canada. Through breakout discussions and stakeholder engagement, the Forum provides opportunities for the community to help shape actions that modernize and strengthen the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure.

This new agreement builds on a successful track record of collaboration. GoGeomatics has previously hosted the OGC Canada Forum at both the GoGeomatics Expo in Calgary (November 2024) and GeoIgnite in Ottawa (May 2025), where OGC CEO Peter Rabley delivered a keynote on the role of open standards in digital infrastructure and innovation.

“Canada’s geospatial community is one of the most collaborative and forward-thinking in the world,” said Peter Rabley, CEO of OGC. “This partnership is about investing in that community — creating space for dialogue, connection, and shared innovation. As Canada shapes its geospatial future, the OGC Canada Forum will ensure those conversations are globally connected and lead to practical progress that benefits everyone.”

The agreement runs from September 2025 through September 2028 and underscores the long-standing relationship between GoGeomatics and OGC. Together, the two organizations will expand opportunities for Canadian participation in global standards development, foster collaboration between public and private stakeholders, and support the growth of Canada’s geospatial workforce.

The first OGC Canada Forum under this renewed partnership will take place at GeoIgnite 2026 in Ottawa, continuing a tradition of convening leaders to explore the future of geospatial technology, policy, and practice.

About the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC)

The OGC is an international consortium of more than 500 companies, government agencies, research organizations, and universities working to make geospatial information and services FAIR — Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. OGC leads the development of open standards that enable innovation and interoperability worldwide. For details, check out https://www.ogc.org/

About GoGeomatics Canada

GoGeomatics is Canada’s largest professional community for geomatics and geospatial professionals, offering industry news, training, networking, and events. Its flagship conference, GeoIgnite, is a national gathering that brings together thought leaders to discuss the future of geospatial and location technologies. https://gogeomatics.ca/