Learn about the conference theme and what to expect from NORTH51 from the co-chairs.

Open Ocean, Open Data:  The Power of Open-Source for Coral Reef Monitoring

Coral reefs are at a tipping point, but what if data could accelerate action before it’s too late? Dr. Emily Darling, Director of Coral Reef Conservation at Wildlife Conservation Society and co-founder of MERMAID, is pioneering a future where critical reef health data flows seamlessly from scientists to communities and governments. 

In this fireside chat at NORTH51, Jonathan Neufeld will moderate a discussion to explore how MERMAID - a field-ready, online/offline data platform - is transforming the way we monitor and protect coral reefs worldwide. Join us to dive into the power of data-driven conservation and the urgent need to bridge science and action in a changing ocean.

The Future of Collection Panel New forms of dynamic, on-demand data, from automated sensors to edge-collected intelligence, are changing what’s possible. This dialogue examines how collection methods are evolving and how the industry should adapt.

• What does the next generation of spatial data collection look like?

• How do we handle data velocity, quality, and validation at scale?

• Are we ready to shift from passive collection to predictive sensing?

Opening remarks and intro to Geospatial Risk Summit Session lead by Priscilla Cole

Natural language interfaces are changing how users access geospatial tools, potentially sidelining traditional GIS systems. This session looks at what’s lost and what’s gained when interfaces disappear.

• What does an AI-first geospatial workflow look like?

• Who gains access to geospatial capabilities when GUIs fade?

• What role remains for the GIS professional?

Geospatial professionals are building infrastructure that shapes how societies function - but they often lack control over how their tools are used. This topic wrestles with power, responsibility, and the evolving role of the practitioner in guiding outcomes. This session explores the practical ethics of providing open access to powerful datasets and models, especially when they can be misused.

• What guardrails can prevent harmful use of open spatial data?

• Who decides what constitutes ethical use?

• How do we design systems that balance openness and restraint?

• What systems of trust and provenance are emerging?

• How can we prevent data manipulation without stifling access?

• How do we verify spatial data and models in an AI-powered world?

By drawing on real-world cases and cross-sector perspectives, the panel will unpack the risks embedded in spatial data ecosystems: from algorithmic bias in mapping, to the geopolitics of imagery supply chains, to the unintended consequences of democratized geospatial tools. Attendees will leave with sharper insight into how ‘pixels’ are not neutral and how the geospatial sector must evolve ethical guardrails and strategic frameworks to align power, access and purpose.

Join us for an engaging fireside chat with Don Murray, CEO and Co-Founder of Safe Software, as he shares the company’s evolution from a startup with a bold idea to a global leader in data integration. Go behind the scenes of the 2023 rebrand, the strategic shift to single leadership, and the mindset behind guiding a company through change and sustained growth.

This conversation unpacks how vision, culture, and innovation fuel long-term momentum, and how a purpose-driven approach is shaping the journey toward a $250M revenue target by 2028. Expect candid insights, leadership reflections, and a look at what it takes to scale not just a company, but an idea, a vision, and an industry.