Where Canada's geospatial leaders meet.
Government, industry, academia and associations come together in Ottawa to work on Canada's geospatial future: national priorities, practical solutions and the partnerships that move geospatial work forward.
Building Canada's Geospatial Future
AI, digital infrastructure, Earth observation and spatial data are changing how governments decide, how infrastructure is delivered and how communities respond. GeoIgnite 2027 is where Canada's geospatial community, and the organizations that depend on it, work out how to build that future together.
Canada's geospatial strategy
Canada now has a Collaborative Geospatial Strategy, published by Natural Resources Canada. GeoIgnite 2027 is where the whole community, government, industry, researchers, educators and associations, comes together to dig into it: what it means, how it gets delivered, and the part each of us plays.
Read the strategy →Reading list ↓Canada's Geospatial Strategy & National Coordination
Putting the Collaborative Geospatial Strategy for Canada to work, and how government, industry, academia and associations move it forward together.
- What will it take to turn the strategy into funded, delivered work?
- Who leads what across federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments?
- How do industry, academia and associations take part, not just watch?
AI & Spatial Intelligence
AI that works because it's built on trusted spatial data.
- What makes geospatial data trustworthy enough to build AI on?
- Where is AI already delivering results in Canadian geospatial work, and where is it still hype?
Infrastructure & the Built Environment
Surveying, reality capture, BIM, digital twins and GIS in how Canada plans, builds and maintains.
- How do surveying, reality capture, BIM and GIS connect across the life of an asset?
- What would a national approach to digital twins and subsurface utility data need?
Earth Observation, Space & the North
Satellites, the Arctic, climate and environmental monitoring.
- How does Canada get more from its Earth observation investments?
- What does the North need from geospatial data and services?
Sovereignty, Security & Resilience
Who controls the data, platforms and infrastructure Canada depends on.
- Which data, platforms and infrastructure must Canada control?
- How do we balance sovereignty with open data and international collaboration?
People & Capacity
The skills, workforce and institutions needed to deliver.
- Does Canada have the geospatial workforce it needs?
- How can education and employers work together better?
What comes out of it: after the event, GoGeomatics publishes a summary of the main discussions under each pillar, free to read, as independent input to Canada's geospatial strategy conversation.
Read up before May
The strategy itself, and GoGeomatics coverage of the questions we'll be working on.
- Official Collaborative Geospatial Strategy for Canada, Natural Resources Canada
- Official What We Heard: governance, technology and people, the round table report behind the strategy
- Strategy Canada's New Geospatial Strategy: Mapping the Gap Between Vision and Ground Truth
- Strategy Canada Has an AI Strategy. Why Not a Geospatial One?
- AI Peter Rabley on the Total World Model, Adequate AI, and Canada's Window
- Infrastructure Building the New Canada: Is the Geospatial and Digital Infrastructure Community Ready?
- Space & EO Brian Gallant Challenged Canada's Claim That It Punches Above Its Weight in Space
- Sovereignty "Before It's Too Late": Tracey Lauriault on Canada's Data Sovereignty Crisis
- People Does Canada Have the Geomatics Workforce It Needs?
Why GeoIgnite
For more than 20 years I've watched, and worked in, Canada's geospatial sector. Through GoGeomatics, our conferences, our publications and the community we've built online and in person, I've had a front-row seat to who is growing, what is changing and where we need to go next.
GeoIgnite exists because our sector has a job to do. Government, industry, researchers, educators and associations each hold part of Canada's geospatial picture, and nobody holds all of it. GeoIgnite is where we come together as one community to work out what Canada needs and how we build it, together.
So every year I invite the people who should be in the room, from across Canada and around the world, to have that conversation: vendor neutral, open and, yes, a bit of fun. I can't do it alone. Join us.
Confirmed keynote speakers
Hieu Vu
CCMEO is responsible for Canada's national mapping, satellite Earth observation and geospatial data infrastructure. Hieu Vu took over as Director General in 2026, after senior roles at Natural Resources Canada, National Defence and Health Canada. His priorities shape the federal data, imagery and standards that much of the sector builds on.
Catherine Robin
Every map, survey, machine-guided excavator and autonomous system in Canada depends on knowing exactly where things are. As Chief Geodesist of Canada, Catherine Robin is responsible for the national reference system that makes that possible, and she led Canada's side of the biggest change to it in decades. At GeoIgnite 2027 she will lay out how Canada's geodetic supply chain works, where it is heading, and what it means for everyone who builds on it.
Peter Rabley
OGC sets the international standards that let geospatial data and systems work together. Whether Canada's national strategy, digital twins and AI work across governments and vendors depends on that interoperability. Peter Rabley brings the global view of where standards, AI and Earth models are heading.
Don Murray
Safe Software, based in Surrey, B.C., is one of Canada's best-known geospatial software companies. FME moves and transforms data between thousands of systems, which is where many data projects succeed or fail. Don Murray speaks from decades of building that capability for organizations around the world.
Tracey P. Lauriault
A founder of critical data studies and of open data and Open Smart Cities work in Canada, Tracey Lauriault researches digital twins, Indigenous data, data preservation and data brokers. She asks who data serves and how it is governed, which matters as Canada builds sovereign data infrastructure and puts AI to work.
More keynote and program speakers will be announced in the coming months.
Three days in Ottawa
Monday is free. Tuesday and Wednesday are the main conference, with the exhibition open both days.
Leadership & Forum Day
The OGC Canada Forum returns for the afternoon, on putting Canada's Collaborative Geospatial Strategy to work. Plus Esri Canada and NSCC's Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) on the C-Geo Project: getting GIS jobs properly recognized in Canada's national classifications. More ↓
Plenary & Exhibition
Keynotes from Natural Resources Canada, OGC, Safe Software and Carleton University, leadership panels on the national agenda, and the exhibition floor open all day.
Technical Program & Exhibition
Three parallel tracks, each opening with its own keynote: Arctic Sovereignty & the North; Earth Observation for Defence, Security & Public Safety; and BIM & Digital Delivery. Plus LiDAR CANEX, the commercial lidar and point cloud program, in its own room. Technical talks, panels and applied research from the people doing the work, with the exhibition open. See the draft schedule
Canada's Commercial Lidar Expo, now in person
A full day of lidar, reality capture and point clouds on Wednesday, May 12, chaired by Dr. Tim Webster. Included with every full pass, or come for the day.
The OGC Canada Forum returns
Monday afternoon belongs to the OGC Canada Forum, run by the Open Geospatial Consortium, the international body that sets the standards letting geospatial data and systems work together.
In 2027 it's back for the full afternoon, 1:00 to 4:00 PM, with OGC's Peter Rabley and Richard Estephan. Peter also gives a Tuesday keynote. Program details to come.
The C-Geo Project, one year on
At GeoIgnite 2026, Monica Lloyd and Frédéric Blouin-Michaud presented the C-Geo Project, an initiative of Esri Canada and Nova Scotia Community College's Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) to update GIS job titles and roles in Canada's official national classifications: the National Occupational Classification (NOC), the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) and the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
This year they return with where the project stands and the road ahead to greater recognition for GIS professionals in Canada. Come ready to take part: the session invites everyone in the room to help shape the project's direction and discuss what an updated classification would mean for the profession.
Monica Lloyd, Academic Chair, School of Applied Technology & Innovation, Nova Scotia Community College, Centre of Geographic Sciences · Frédéric Blouin-Michaud, Program Manager, GIS Professional Community Development, Esri Canada
Read: Why Canada's GIS profession needs modernized NOC and CIP codes →Get your free Monday pass →
GeoIgnite 2026 in numbers
38% of registrations came from federal, provincial, territorial and municipal government. The rest came from geospatial firms, space and Earth observation companies, universities, associations and Indigenous organizations.
Early Bird prices
A full conference pass covers Tuesday and Wednesday: every session and the exhibition. Includes LiDAR CANEX on Wednesday. Early Bird prices end November 30, 2026.
Prices in Canadian dollars. You'll complete your registration on Grenadine, our secure event platform, where 13% HST and a booking fee are added at checkout. Questions about group registrations, invoices or receipts for approval: events@gogeo.ca. See our registration policies.
Monday Leadership & Forum Day, May 10. Register separately at no cost. It does not include Tuesday or Wednesday.
Trade show pass, May 11 and 12. $150 for both days or $95 for one day. Exhibition hall only, with no conference sessions or catered lunch. Students get in free with a valid student ID.
Only coming Wednesday?
The Wednesday Day Pass covers LiDAR CANEX, all Wednesday technical tracks, the trade show, and breakfast, breaks and lunch.
| Wednesday Day Pass | Early Bird (to Nov 30) | Regular (Dec 1 to Mar 31) | Late (Apr 1 to May 9) | On-site (May 10 to 12) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | $595 | $675 | $750 | $825 |
| Government | $525 | $595 | $675 | $750 |
| Academic & NGO | $325 | $375 | $425 | $475 |
| Student | $125 | $150 | $175 | $195 |
Prices in CAD, plus 13% HST and a booking fee at checkout.
Put your organization in the room
Two exhibition days, May 11 and 12, in front of the people who specify, buy and build geospatial systems in Canada. Compare every option →
Exhibit at GeoIgnite
A 10x10 booth with table, chairs, Wi-Fi and two exhibitor passes that give your staff access to the exhibition hall, plus a listing on the website and agenda. Power is extra. Add full conference registrations for your team at $550 each. Every booth also comes with 10 free trade show passes for your own customers and guests (20 for sponsors). Returning exhibitors save $400. Startup booths $1,750. In the Government, Academic & Nonprofit Pavilion: government $2,750; academic, association and nonprofit $1,250.
Become a sponsor
Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze packages, each with a booth, passes and logo placement, including our illuminated entrance arch. Higher tiers add conference registrations, articles and gobo logo projection.
Meals, hosting & media
Host a breakfast, break, lunch or a program track, sponsor the lanyards, or reach our audience by email and newsletter.
Download the 2027 prospectus
Every sponsorship, booth, hosting and advertising option, with prices.
Download the prospectus (PDF) →
See the exhibition floor plan →
Questions, or want a custom package? Send us a note and we'll talk through options.
Prefer email? sponsors@gogeo.ca
Speak at GeoIgnite 2027
Have work, a project or a hard-won lesson the Canadian geospatial community should hear? Propose a talk for the technical program.
- Rolling submissions: We review talk, panel and workshop proposals as they arrive, and fill open slots as we go, so earlier is better.
- Accepted speakers receive a complimentary full conference pass, the one exception to our policy of no complimentary registrations for individuals. How the program is built
- Formats: presentations, lightning talks and panel ideas.
Canada Maps & Poster Gallery
A walk-through showcase of the maps, visualizations and spatial storytelling shaping Canada. Agencies, companies, research teams, Indigenous communities and universities print and ship a physical map or poster for display at GeoIgnite. It is not a contest, and there is no fee.
- What belongs: work your team is proud of. A project that helped a client decide, environmental or risk mapping, defence, Arctic or space work, municipal and transportation mapping, research made clear.
- Not accepted: product brochures, sales flyers and political advocacy.
- Next steps: we confirm your piece and send shipping details and the delivery deadline.
Volunteer at GeoIgnite 2027
Students, early-career professionals and anyone who wants to be part of Canada's national geospatial conference: join the team that makes GeoIgnite run.
- Roles: registration and attendee support, speaker and session help, A/V, social media and photography, wayfinding.
- What you get: access to sessions and keynotes, time with people across government, industry and academia, and real event experience.
Association partners
GeoIgnite 2027 is supported by international organizations that set standards and shape the global geospatial industry.
2027 sponsors
Associations interested in partnering: sponsors@gogeo.ca
GeoIgnite 2026, Ottawa
Meet in Ottawa
Canada's federal geospatial departments and agencies are based in Ottawa. That's why GeoIgnite is held here.
Ottawa Conference and Event Centre
200 Coventry RoadOttawa, Ontario K1K 4S3
Canada
Close to Highway 417, the VIA Rail station and Ottawa International Airport. Free on-site parking. Conference hotel: Courtyard by Marriott Ottawa East, next door (room block coming soon).
Association & Education Partners
Associations, nonprofits, and university and college departments and programs in geography, geomatics, GIS and related fields can partner with GeoIgnite. No money changes hands: we promote you, you promote GeoIgnite to your members and students.
We give you your logo on this site and in the event app, recognition in our emails and the Canadian Spatial Times, your events in the GoGeomatics calendar, one announcement in GoGeomatics, and one complimentary registration for your representative.
We ask you to list GeoIgnite on your events page, include it in your newsletter or member emails, and share two social posts that we supply.
Partners can also book a $1,250 booth in the Government, Academic & Nonprofit Pavilion, propose an important conversation through the call for presentations, and express interest in our advisory committee. Students can submit to the Canada Maps & Poster Gallery and volunteer.
Not ready to register yet?
Get GeoIgnite 2027 program news: speaker and session announcements, and registration deadlines. A few emails between now and May.
Join us in Ottawa
Early Bird prices end November 30, 2026. The Monday Leadership & Forum Day is free.