Geo Connect Asia 2024 confirms must-attend status

The fourth edition of Geo Connect Asia (GCA), celebrated as the region's premier trade event and conference for the geospatial, positioning and remote sensing industries, truly delivered during its two-day affair at the esteemed Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore. Co-located alongside Drones & Uncrewed Asia, Digital Construction Asia, and the inaugural Marine & Hydro Asia on 6-7 March 2024, GCA 2024 drew almost 3,000 attendants, representing 52 countries and territories.

Under the banner of "Geospatial Driven Impacts: Underground, Land, and Sea to Sky," GCA 2024 brought together a vibrant mix of experts from local and international companies, institutions, startups and governmental bodies. Through engaging Tech Talks covering the full geospatial spectrum, as well as insightful presentations and dynamic panel discussions featuring 102 speakers, the event fostered crucial dialogues on the far-reaching economic and societal implications of geospatial technologies.

Rupert Owen, co-founder of Geo Connect Asia, stated: "The mainstreaming of geospatial technologies has been a major theme of the 2024 event and is one that will accelerate as industry and governments successfully apply proven solutions. The growing international positioning of Geo Connect Asia assists in exchanging experiences across regions. The additional focus on digital construction, marine & hydro and the UAV marketplaces also drives focus on the value of data acquisition and sharing to enhance accuracy and the on-time scheduling and delivery of key projects."

Sharing best practices

In his opening speech, Guest of Honour Minister Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, said: “Platforms such as Geo Connect Asia provide opportunities for deep knowledge-sharing, experience building as well as community-building, which are all crucial to foster more fruitful collaborations. It goes without saying that today, countries are actively exchanging knowledge, sharing best practices, and really wanting to level up and gain knowledge from one another. I look forward to a lot more collaborations sparked off by Geo Connect Asia.”

GCA 2024 garnered support from Trimble as Platinum Sponsor, along with AECOM and the Singapore Land Authority as distinguished Strategic Partners, among other key contributors.

At the co-located shows, attendees had the chance to explore a wide range of products and prototypes, from drones and remote sensing-based laser scanners to mapping systems and ground-penetrating radars, showcasing the latest innovations in these fields. Additionally, a diverse array of spatial analysis tools, UAV traffic management solutions, visualization software, and satellite communications services were showcased, illustrating the breadth of technological advancements driving these industries forward.

Transformative impact of geospatial technology

Throughout the event's Tech Talks, UAV Innovation Theatre, and Digital Underground Connect sessions, industry professionals engaged in insightful fireside chats and keynote speeches, sparking dynamic discussions on various topics. Conversations ranged from leveraging geospatial technology to enhance quality of life, to the integration of AI in construction, and the pivotal role of geospatial solutions in advancing the decarbonization agenda and fostering sustainable development.

Business matchmaking played a pivotal role in GCA 2024's success, offering exhibitors, speakers, and attendees ample opportunities to connect, network, and explore potential collaborations. This facilitated the discovery of complementary strengths and laid the groundwork for future business ventures.

Scott Simmons, chief standards officer of Open Geospatial Consortium, said: "We are witnessing the exponential growth and transformative impact of geospatial technology across economies, infrastructure and everyday lives. Geo Connect Asia serves as an excellent platform for industry leaders and stakeholders to build cross-border networks, explore innovative solutions, and propel the geospatial industry forward for a more sustainable and connected future."

Geo Connect Asia will return on 9-10 April 2025, with numerous industry partners expressing strong and continued support. For more information on the event, see here.