Mapping the Unseen: NORTH51 Conference 2025
Back in 2017, I took a leap and founded the NORTH51 Conference as a way to bring leaders in the geospatial industry together. This year, GNO-SYS together with SparkGEO are hosting the 7th annual NORTH51 April 23-25, 2025 at the Malcolm Hotel in Canmore Alberta.
Our theme is "Mapping the Unseen" which really speaks to me, both professionally and personally. During the pandemic I did a TEDx talk about mapping at a human scale, and how a human-centric map could change our point of view.
Mapping the Unseen is all about uncovering the hidden layers of our world and making the invisible visible. This year, we're diving into both the literal and metaphorical unseen with a range of fascinating topics.
The Malcolm Hotel in Canmore
On the literal side, we're exploring technologies beyond the human visual spectrum like ultraviolet, infrared, radio frequency mapping, radar, and more. These tools let us see beyond the visible spectrum, opening up all kinds of new possibilities. They help us understand the world in ways that may not be intuitive or immediately obvious but are true nonetheless.
We're also shining a light on the metaphorically unseen. This means highlighting underrepresented populations, uncovering human activity patterns, and looking at the big impacts of global climate change. By focusing on these important issues, we hope to foster greater understanding and drive positive change. How can we use geospatial data to support marginalized communities? What can we learn from tracking human movements on a global scale? And how can this knowledge help us tackle climate change?
NORTH51 Co-Host Will Cadell interviewing Bill Perkins in an outdoor fireside chat
At NORTH51, we're not just looking at what's happening now; we're looking ahead to the future. The conference will feature visionary speakers, thought-provoking panel discussions, and tons of time for questions and networking. We'll talk about emerging technologies and their potential to reshape our industry and our world.
One of the things I love most about NORTH51 is the honesty and willingness to explore ideas deeply and fully. Previous events have had their share of controversy and constructive disagreement, and while not everyone agreed I think that everyone took something valuable from the conversation.
I invite you to join us at NORTH51 and be part of this transformative experience. Let's come together to explore the unseen, push the boundaries of what's possible, and shape the future of our industry for the better.
Can't wait to see you there!
Blog written by NORTH51 Co-chair, Jon Neufeld
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