A panel of data and industry experts will examine changes to IP and copyright and the disruption of current business models that current and future technologies are creating, with an open discussion about governance considerations that may affect surveying businesses now and in the coming years. This will be an insightful, interesting and challenging discussion around how technology and big data are redefining business opportunities.

The speakers will be:

• Professor Kevin McDougall, Head of School, Civil Engineering and Surveying University of Queensland
• Rachel Sciascia, Partner, Gadens
• Nicole Stephensen, Principal Consultant, Ground Up Consulting Pty Ltd
• Adam Beck , Executive Director, Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand Secretariat, Centre for Data Leadership

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

Organised by OSGeo, this international annual gathering of location enthusiasts is the largest global gathering for geospatial software. Now in its 15th year, FOSS4G (ie. Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial) brings together developers, users, decision-makers and observers from a broad spectrum of organisations and fields of operation.

Through six days of workshops, presentations, discussions, and cooperation, FOSS4G participants create effective and relevant geospatial products, standards, and protocols. The 2021 event will be focused for the first time on South America and will be held with the close collaboration of the GeoLibres Association in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

During GEO Week 2021, the Group on Earth Observations will present the multidisciplinary activities of the GEO Work Programme that address policy agendas involved in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP26, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP15, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.

The online event will include the GEO-17 plenary, plus anchor and side events. Time will be scheduled each day for virtual networking. On Monday, November 22, the 56th Executive Committee will be held as a closed meeting.

Of particular importance will be the anchor events: These are the main events designed by GEO week 2021 organisers to explain the multidisciplinary nature of GEO through the concept of nexus thinking. Working on multiple topics simultaneously is essential in today’s rapidly changing environmental and social conditions. For example, work in one area will have a knock-on effect or impact in another area, such as the water, energy and food nexus. These events are linked to the global policy agendas that underpin most of GEO’s work.

Image credit: NASA

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 16th annual congress of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation, the non-profit organisation that supports and promotes the collaborative development of free and open source geographic technologies and open geospatial data, will be held in Florence, Italy, at the Palazzo dei Congressi, Palazzo degli Affari and the University of Florence.

FOSS4G (ie. Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial) brings together developers, users, decision-makers and observers from a broad spectrum of organisations and fields of operation.

Australia’s first dedicated Micromobility Conference and Expo will give delegates the opportunity to learn about best practices from international and Australian experts.

After hearing from inspirational keynote speakers, the Micromobility Conference will break into delegates’ choice of two themes on each of its two days.

Delegates will also be able to see best practice examples via facilities tours to be hosted by expert practitioners from the City of Sydney, with e-bikes and helmets provided. They’ll also be able to visit the Micromobility Expo, to be run concurrently at Royal Randwick Racecourse, which will include a huge range of exhibits plus safe, traffic free test riding opportunities.

The Micromobility Conference will be a great opportunity to make new contacts, develop your professional skills, to learn about both the bigger picture trends and latest technical information and to simply be inspired and encouraged.

For those unable to attend in person, all sessions will be live streamed at reduced registration rates.