The Survey and Spatial New Zealand 2021 Annual Conference will draw on the ability of individuals and teams to adapt to change, adversity and setbacks in the current environment.

The conference program will include presentations on rebuilding and improving the economy, with a focus on resilient mindsets to support our members while they navigate the challenges and changes ahead. By sharing concepts, ideas and knowledge, industry members have opportunities to help build back the survey and spatial sector.

The World of Drones & Robotics Congress 2021 (WoDaRC) will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 15 and 16 November 2021. Like last year, it will be presented in a hybrid format, providing in-person physical participation for those able to attend in Brisbane and a high-quality digital experience for those who cannot.

Due to additional companies seeking display space, WoDaRC has moved to a larger space (the Boulevard Auditorium) within the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Auditorium will also cater to larger numbers and provide increased social distancing for all those attending sessions.

Physical and virtual registration options are available. Al registration options, physical and digital, include access to all congress sessions for six months post-event on an on-demand basis via the WoDaRC viewer portal.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/ValentinValkov

The Australian Association for Unmanned Systems’ ‘RPAS in Australian Skies 2022’ conference aims to continue discussion on the safe integration of RPAS into Australian airspace. It is supported by key government and industry participants and has established itself as a landmark event in the Australian RPAS calendar.

The 2022 themes will cover:

• Policy and Regulatory updates from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, CASA, AirServices Australia and the Australian Defence Force relating to the use of emerging aviation technology in Australia.
• UAS Traffic Management (UTM), low level airspace, integrated airspace systems challenges and opportunities.
• Industry challenges and perspectives
• Continuing development of a professional and safe industry.
• ATSB RPAS data and trends
• Emerging technology and innovative solutions enabling integration or RPAS into Australian airspace.
• Future infrastructure requirements to enable drone delivery and advanced air mobility (AAM).
• Emerging RPAS and AAM applications – benefits, viability and social acceptance.

The conference will be a hybrid event incorporating face to face (live) and online (virtual) choices for participants. It will also include the AAUS Gala Dinner featuring the AAUS Industry Awards.

The ROTORTECH 2022 Helicopter and Unmanned Flight Exposition is the premier industry event for the Helicopter/Rotary Wing and RPAS/UAV/eVTOL community in Australia, New Zealand and the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The event provides a vital interface between industry, regulators and government, including:

• Operations and safety presentations
• Industry conferences
• Industry exposition showcasing the products and services of helicopter and unmanned flight related companies

ROTORTECH 2022 will host conferences by the Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA) and Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems (AAUS) and feature presentations by key rotary and unmanned systems industry experts from Australia and the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Survey and Spatial NZ’s 2022 conference will be held from 1 to 3 August at the Novotel Lakeside, Rotorua. The conference is the biggest continuing professional development event of the year for NZ surveying and spatial professionals. It invites sharing of knowledge amongst peers, bringing together networking opportunities for all delegates and is an essential event for professional development and connectivity within the sector.

The choice of Rotorua as the location is apt, given the conference theme of ‘Turning up the Heat’. The organisers aim to stimulate discussion regarding challenges in regional areas, which include climate change and developments outside of Auckland.

Commercial UAV Expo, September 6-8 in Las Vegas is the premier event for the commercial drone industry focusing on the integration/operation of commercial UAS.

The event will feature exhibits and demonstrations by UAS solutions providers; keynotes, panel discussions, and presentations with interactive Q&A and chat; AI-powered networking; and more.

Industries covered include Construction; Drone Delivery; Energy & Utilities; Forestry & Agriculture; Infrastructure & Transportation; Mining & Aggregates; Public Safety & Emergency Services; Security; and Surveying & Mapping. It is presented by Commercial UAV News and organised by Diversified Communications.

Use code SAVE100 for a US$100 discount and/or FREE expo admission.

The Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) will convene the second United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC) in Hyderabad, India from 10-14 October 2022.

Hosted by the Government of India through its Ministry of Science and Technology, the convening of the UNWGIC arises out of the mandate from the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to the Committee of Experts to convene global forums to promote comprehensive dialogue on global geospatial information management with all relevant governments, international organisations and stakeholders.

With an overarching theme ‘Geo-Enabling the Global Village: No one should be left behind,’ the second UNWGIC will reflect the importance of integrated geospatial information to support sustainable development and the wellbeing of society, address environmental and climate challenges, embrace digital transformation and technological development, and catalyse vibrant economies.

The congress addresses the development and strengthening of integrated geospatial information management, its capacities and capabilities, and demonstrates the importance of international cooperation and coordination for building a human data and geography community, against the three pillars of sustainable development, for a shared future and a better world, leaving no one behind within an inclusive and equitable global society.

The UNWGIC will feature a high-level, plenary, special and parallel sessions. While the actual second UNWGIC program covers three days (11 – 13 October), the overall event will be a weeklong (10 – 14 October), and will include global and regional meetings, workshops and learning events, expert meetings and side events, including the eleventh plenary meeting of the Regional Committee of United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP), as well as the annual meeting of the UN-GGIM Expanded Bureau.

The World of Drones and Robotics Congress 2022 is scheduled to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Similar to 2021, it will be held in a hybrid format — in-person and online.

The Local Government Spatial Reference Group (LGSRG) will be holding a webinar on Monday, 4 September, to introduce a series of hands-on workshops it will be holding across Victoria during September 2023.

The webinar will cover the topic of Best Practice Geospatial Intelligence for Climate Impact, and will address important topics on climate impact, community safety and how geospatial intelligence can contribute to better outcomes for local governments.

The LGSRG was formed in 2003 to address the need for a sector wide group representing the strategic interests of the Victorian Local Government sector with respect to spatial information. The LGSRG has been active throughout the COVID pandemic to keep the local government geospatial community connected and engaged via the annual Spatial Capability Workshop series which have grown year on year, and is now diversifying with a quarterly Spatial Hour webinar to share stories of success within the local government geospatial sector.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/yutthana

Each year representatives from the Association of Consulting Surveyors NSW and the Institution of Surveyors NSW come together to organise the NSW Excellence in Surveying and Spatial Information (EISSI) Awards.

The awards recognise the achievements of organisations and individuals from across the state who are engaged in the surveying and spatial information profession; celebrate excellence before an audience of industry peers; encourage activities that create a stronger, larger and more relevant industry; and embrace the achievements of the industry and its related industries and professions.