Geomatics Canada Seeking Solutions Through Partnerships

In the February 23, 2005 federal budget, the Government of Canada announced $60 million for renewal of the GeoConnections/Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) Program. GeoConnections is partnering with Geomatics Industry Association of Canada on a cross-Canada series of one-day workshops that will provide the geographic information community an opportunity to input on the next five years of CGDI implementation. The series begins in Regina on April 12 and ends with the Geomatics Leaders Forum on June 15th-16th in Ottawa.

Identifying Business Issues and Seeking Solutions Through Partnerships. Events are scheduled for the following dates:

Regina – Apr 12
Edmonton – Apr 13
Toronto – May 10
Victoria – May 17
Halifax – TBD
Quebec City – TBD
Ottawa – Jun 15-16

These one-day forums are being held to:

Better align the policies and practices of government and industry for improved business efficiency and economic development;
Gain a consensus within the geomatics industry and user community on key policy issues for emphasis for improving the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure;
Foster debate on the role of geographic information and related technologies on community sustainability and environmental stewardship and what key Geomatics initiatives are required now;
Consider how to actively promote a co-operative and partnership attitude amongst the community of practice;
Provide an informal venue for business leaders and Geomatics professionals to meet and exchange ideas.

Who Should Attend?

If you work in the geomatics industry or a business sector that uses geographic information, and fit one of the following job categories, you cannot afford to miss this workshop.

Federal, Provincial and Municipal Government Officials
Executive/Corporate Managers in industry
Business Development Managers
Product and Project Managers
Applications Development Managers
Policy Advisors
Technical Professionals
Business Analysts and Consultants
Academic Professionals
Strategic thinkers, change catalysts and implementers, and inter-disciplinarians

Why should You Attend?

To learn more about the preliminary plans for the renewed GeoConnections program, which will receive $60 million in funding over the next five years;
Update your knowledge of upcoming plans for the deployment of geomatics in the provincial and municipal governments;
Participate in a lively exchange of ideas on using geomatics to solve business problems and on innovative partnering models;
Network with other geomatics industry and user community professionals in your area, and;
Share your knowledge and have your voice heard!
Format:
The format of the workshop is designed to stimulate discussion and gain as much input from participants as possible. Speakers will briefly describe the key business issues facing their industry or organization today. The lead-in presentations will be used to lay the groundwork for the following discussion workshops.

Please note: Information and opinions expressed in the workshop reports do not reflect specific government policies. The reports represent discussions that took place during the event and are not to be interpreted as policy.

CONTACT:

Geomatics Industry Association of Canada
P.O. Box 78071 1460 Merivale Road
Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
K2E 1B1
Tel: (613) 232-8770 Fax: (613) 947-3125
E-mail: giac@giac.ca

About GIAC

GIAC’s mission is to facilitate networking amongst member organizations and disseminate information on opportunities, stakeholder involvement, procedures and policies of interest to its members. Through the active participation of its members, GIAC helps them be more successful by providing the best networking and information dissemination of any comparable association.