The Association for Geographic Information, the membership group for organisations and individuals working in the geospatial sector, is once again a Lead Partner at the UK’s largest event for those involved in the capture, analysis, and use of geospatial data.
As in previous years, the AGI will be using the two-day GEO Business event as a platform to celebrate excellence in the sector with the presentation of its annual awards. These include, new for 2026: the Chris Holcroft Award in recognition of a contribution to UK geospatial industry, and the AGI Foresight Award which invites submissions that align with the transformative forces shaping the future of geospatial.
The AGI will also present a panel discussion titled ‘Who Ate My Lunch? The AGI Foresight Report 2030 Six Months On’. Led by AGI Council Member and Foresight Project Lead Richard Flemmings, and featuring contributors to the report Will Cadell, Founder and CEO of Sparkgeo, Mia Dibe, Senior Data & AI Strategy Consultant at Arup, Rebecca Firth, Head of GIS for the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, and Ed Parsons, Digital Geographer and Geospatial Consultant, this session will explore themes from the report, and discuss how the narrative has evolved in the six months since publication.
Other presentations include a panel discussion with audience engagement, to explore and discuss how 3D geospatial demonstrates value across multiple sectors and applications. The session will be hosted by AGI Chair Fergus Craig, and include 3D creators and practitioners Ralph Coleman of Bluesky International (a Woolpert company), Andrew Coote of ConsultingWhere, Laura Pullen, GIS Business Development Manager at Nottingham City Council, and Robert Goldsmith, Geospatial Manager at Devon and Cornwall Police.
The AGI Early Careers Network, supporting early-career professionals and those moving into the geospatial community from other sectors, will be hosting a session focused on building confidence and capability in networking. This will include a facilitated ice-breaker activity, designed to help participants meet fellow early-career professionals and start building professional networks.
Under the guidance of the AGI Education and Skills Network lead Dr Patrick Rickles, geospatial apprentices will come together to share honest reflections on their journeys into the sector. From successes and opportunities to challenges and lessons learned, the discussion will explore how apprenticeships are shaping early-career talent and how the industry can evolve to better support the next generation.
“We recently shared a Statement of Intent capturing the collective direction of the AGI Council, its Partner organisations, and members,” commented Fergus Craig, Chair of the Association for Geographic Information. “This included a goal for the AGI to be recognised as the UK’s leading convenor of the geospatial community, bringing people together to share insight, explore challenges, and shape how geographic information is valued and applied.
“Outreach opportunities, such as GEO Business, allow us to connect and engage with the community, facilitating discussions and supporting skills and career development, and we are delighted once again to be working with the organisers to achieve this.”
GEO Business returns to ExCel London on 3–4 June 2026, and registration is already open. The event brings together the people and technologies shaping how location information is captured, managed, analysed, and applied. Free – to – attend and carefully curated, GEO Business is where ideas take shape, trends snap into focus, and the real-world value of location data comes to life.
CONTACTS:
Faith Clark – Editorial Contact, Spatially Aware, Tel: +44 (0) 1603 211691, [email protected]
The Association for Geographic Information – Tel: +44 (0)1489 668340, [email protected]
About the Association for Geographic Information
The Association for Geographic Information is an independent and impartial organisation that represents the UK geospatial sector. Working with members and the wider community, the Association successfully works alongside government policy makers, delivers professional development opportunities and provides a lead for best practice across the industry. Established in 1989, members of the Association for Geographic Information enjoy unrivalled networking opportunities, a framework for learning new skills, and the support to progress professional development.
