Monday at GeoIgnite 2026: The Canadian Geospatial Forum and Evening Reception
GeoIgnite 2026 will open in Ottawa this May with the Canadian Geospatial Forum, a high-level Monday program designed to address the strategic challenges facing Canada’s geospatial and geomatics ecosystem.
While the main GeoIgnite conference runs May 12 to 13, the opening day on May 11 brings together leaders from government, industry, and academia for a series of focused forums that will set the stage for the national conference.
Participation in the Monday forums is free, but registration is required.
The Canadian Geospatial Advisory Forum. On Monday, May 11, we set the national agenda before the main conference begins.
The Quebec Geospatial Forum: Building the Bridge
The day begins with the Quebec Geospatial Forum, highlighting the innovation of one of Canada’s most robust geomatics hubs. This session is a vital opportunity for professionals from across Canada to engage directly with Quebec’s perspectives and leading organizations.
As the national geospatial sector evolves, this forum serves as the primary bridge for building partnerships and identifying deeper opportunities for cooperation between the Quebec community and the rest of Canada.
The Canadian Geospatial and Geomatics Advisory Forum
This central forum is where the most pressing issues facing our sector will be addressed through open, facilitated dialogue.
State of Canada’s Geospatial Capability: This session uses high-level themes emerging from the 2026 Canada Geospatial Capability Survey to frame a national conversation. Participants will discuss the strategic importance of geospatial capability, national coordination, and the growing impact of AI, setting the context for the detailed survey findings to be presented during the main conference on May 12-13.
Regional insights meeting national strategy: Forum discussions reflecting engagement across Canada’s geospatial community.
Workforce Visibility and the National Occupational Classification: This session explores how we can modernize the definition of geospatial professions within Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) framework. We will examine how the sector can better define its role within the national skills ecosystem and improve the visibility of geospatial careers in the labor market.
OGC Canada Forum
The afternoon features the OGC Canada Forum, focusing on how open standards underpin our national geospatial capability. Learn how Canadian organizations are engaging with the Open Geospatial Consortium to accelerate innovation and ensure interoperability across platforms.
Evening: Networking and Panels at the Rainbow Bistro
The energy of the geospatial community: Evening panels and networking at the historic Rainbow Bistro.
Monday evening moves to the historic Rainbow Bistro for a networking reception and two interactive panel discussions:
- Artificial Intelligence and the Future of the Geospatial Profession: Exploring how AI is transforming workflows, career paths, and the skills the next generation will need.
- Community Forum: Questions Shaping the Future of the Sector: A participant-driven discussion using the highest-ranked questions submitted by attendees throughout the day.
Note: Lunch tickets ($65) and Evening Reception tickets ($75) are available for Monday participants. The reception is included with all full conference passes.
Event Schedule & Registration
You can view the full details of the Monday program and the main conference on the Official GeoIgnite Schedule.
Participation in the Canadian Geospatial Forum on Monday is free, but registration is required.
Attend the Full GeoIgnite Conference
The full conference continues May 12 and 13, featuring the detailed presentation of the 2026 Canada Geospatial Capability Survey results and two full days of leadership presentations. View the Full Program here.
GeoIgnite 2026 Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors
Lanyard & Lunch Sponsors
Association Sponsors
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