Pivotal will be held 29-30 June 2015 in Brisbane, Queensland and registration is set to close on 25 June. The conference aims to bring together the best minds in governance, climate change, sustainability and spatial information to discuss the critical role for spatial sciences in meeting global humanitarian targets.

The conference is based on a partnership between NASA, the International Society for Digital Earth, the Queensland Government, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), and the Spatial Industries Business Association (SIBA).  Pivotal 2015 has a specific focus on starting a conversation about using science to embrace a culture of resilience to change.

SIBA Chair for Spatial Information at QUT, Dr Tim Foresman says there is “evidence in global dialogues of an emerging consensus that ‘the’ sustainability challenge facing any region or nation is how to optimise governance, business, and citizen engagement to improve prosperity for all.”

Lee Hellen, Chair Spatial Qld SIBA (Qld RMG) said “The spatial industry is rapidly emerging to become a global trillion dollar industry. It is making the invisible visible, the intangible tangible, and transforming the way we identify with ourselves with places.”

Speakers of Pivotal 2015 include:

• NASA – Dr Jonathan Trent, Director of the OMEGA Global Initiative. Dr Trent will discuss humanity’s relationship with the ocean, our attitudes about sea-level rise, and remind us that “we are not passengers on Spaceship Earth’ but we are the crew.”
• The US State Department – Dr Lee Schwartz, Director of the Office of the Geographer and Global Issues. Dr Schwartz will talk about why location science is important for analytics, understanding and communication in business, government, and community.
• Deloitte – Graeme Newton, Head of the Australian Crisis Management business including its Centre of Excellence for Crisis Management for the South East Asia region. Mr Newton directed Queensland’s disaster relief funds during the 2011 major floods.
• Dr Patrick Meier is a Crisis Mapper and internationally recognised thought leader on humanitarian technology and innovation. TIME magazine featured a story on his work – “When technology helps us become more human.” He is currently working on the aftermath of Nepal’s second major earthquake.
• Dr Tim Foresman – former UN Chief Scientist, and recognised as the father of Google Earth, now SIBA Chair for Spatial Information at QUT.

Name: Pivotal

Time: Various

Date: 29-30 June 2015

Venue: The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Address: Merivale Street & Glenelg Street, South Brisbane, Queensland

Cost: Various ($1800 for full 2 day registration)

Event Website: www.pivotal2015.org