Students from the University of Calgary’s GEOG 587: Geospatial Project Management class will once again turn GoGeomatics Expo 2025 into a living classroom this November.

The Expo will take place November 3-5, 2025 in Calgary, Alberta, bringing together professionals, innovators, and organizations from across Canada’s geomatics, geospatial, and location technology sectors.

For the second year in a row, final-year students will take on an industry engagement assignment that places them in the middle of Canada’s largest geomatics gathering. The goal: to give students hands-on experience with the people, projects, and technologies that are shaping the sector today.

The initiative is led by Dr. Victoria Fast, Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Academic Co-Lead (Cities + Societies) in the University’s Institutes for Transdisciplinary Scholarship. Under her guidance, students will spend three days attending presentations, engaging directly with exhibitors, and documenting their learning for a post-event debrief.

“Last year, for many of my students, the Expo was their first professional conference. And it was transformational,” said Dr. Victoria Fast. “They returned to class with new confidence, connections, and a much clearer understanding of the industry they’re about to join. We’re thrilled to be back for 2025 and to keep building that bridge between academia and the geospatial profession.”

“The partnership with Dr. Fast’s class is one of the most rewarding aspects of the Expo,” said Jonathan Murphy, Founder and CEO of GoGeomatics. “These students are not just attending a conference; they are also actively contributing, networking, and producing work that benefits the wider community. It’s exactly the kind of engagement our industry needs to grow its next generation of leaders.”

A Hands-On Industry Experience

As part of the assignment, students will:

• Attend the Expo in Calgary (Nov. 3–5, 2025) and actively engage with sessions, exhibitors, and industry leaders.
• Create professional content, such as social media posts, interviews, conference reflections, to share their insights with both the Expo community and a wider audience.
• Explore the latest trends in areas such as AI, Lidar, UAV mapping, digital twins, and climate-related geospatial applications — all through the lens of project management and real-world practice.

  

  

  

  

Each student must complete two of four project options:

1. Social Media Coverage – Posting before, during, and after the Expo to highlight takeaways, experiences, and connections.
2. Industry Interviews – Conducting in-depth conversations with exhibitors or speakers and producing a written feature.
3. Conference Reflection – A detailed account of lessons learned, career impacts, and industry insights.
4. StoryMap or Visual Project – Creating an interactive, visual piece showcasing a key Expo theme or innovation.

   

The benefits go both ways. Students gain valuable networking opportunities, first-hand knowledge of current industry challenges, and portfolio-ready work. The sector benefits from fresh perspectives, engaged young professionals, and a pipeline of talent already familiar with real-world workflows and expectations.

About GoGeomatics Expo 2025

The GoGeomatics Expo is Canada’s national geospatial industry trade show, bringing together stakeholders from across the country for three days of collaboration, learning, and business development. The 2025 Expo will be held November 3-5 at the Calgary Stampede BMO Centre, featuring a dynamic tradeshow floor, networking opportunities, and a comprehensive program covering GIS, Earth observation, remote sensing, surveying, BIM, digital twins, and more.

For details, visit www.gogeomaticsexpo.com

Our Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors