Join us for an engaging fireside chat with Don Murray, CEO and Co-Founder of Safe Software, as he shares the company’s evolution from a startup with a bold idea to a global leader in data integration. Go behind the scenes of the 2023 rebrand, the strategic shift to single leadership, and the mindset behind guiding a company through change and sustained growth.

This conversation unpacks how vision, culture, and innovation fuel long-term momentum, and how a purpose-driven approach is shaping the journey toward a $250M revenue target by 2028. Expect candid insights, leadership reflections, and a look at what it takes to scale not just a company, but an idea, a vision, and an industry.

Geospatial professionals are building infrastructure that shapes how societies function - but they often lack control over how their tools are used. This topic wrestles with power, responsibility, and the evolving role of the practitioner in guiding outcomes. This session explores the practical ethics of providing open access to powerful datasets and models, especially when they can be misused.

• What guardrails can prevent harmful use of open spatial data?

• Who decides what constitutes ethical use?

• How do we design systems that balance openness and restraint?

• What systems of trust and provenance are emerging?

• How can we prevent data manipulation without stifling access?

• How do we verify spatial data and models in an AI-powered world?

Natural language interfaces are changing how users access geospatial tools, potentially sidelining traditional GIS systems. This session looks at what’s lost and what’s gained when interfaces disappear.

• What does an AI-first geospatial workflow look like?

• Who gains access to geospatial capabilities when GUIs fade?

• What role remains for the GIS professional?

This fireside chat covers the evolving EO and geospatial landscape, touching on product applications, persistent gaps, and shifts in the professional ecosystem. It also examines emerging data needs, the implications of DOGE, and how recent headlines are shaping priorities and expectations across the sector.

As climate adaptation moves from policy to implementation, the need for credible measurement and continuous monitoring has never been greater. In this session, Louie explores insights from recent COP 30 reports on adaptation and adaptation finance, unpacking where Earth observation and geospatial technologies create value across the adaptation value chain. Drawing on his journalism with Climate Proof and consultations with practitioners includingTerraWatch and Maptycs, Louie connects global frameworks to real-world use cases. Attendees will gain a clearer view of how EO supports decision-making, accountability, and investment in climate adaptation efforts.

Opening remarks and intro to Geospatial Risk Summit Session lead by Priscilla Cole

The Future of Collection Panel New forms of dynamic, on-demand data, from automated sensors to edge-collected intelligence, are changing what’s possible. This dialogue examines how collection methods are evolving and how the industry should adapt.

• What does the next generation of spatial data collection look like?

• How do we handle data velocity, quality, and validation at scale?

• Are we ready to shift from passive collection to predictive sensing?

Open Ocean, Open Data:  The Power of Open-Source for Coral Reef Monitoring

Coral reefs are at a tipping point, but what if data could accelerate action before it’s too late? Dr. Emily Darling, Director of Coral Reef Conservation at Wildlife Conservation Society and co-founder of MERMAID, is pioneering a future where critical reef health data flows seamlessly from scientists to communities and governments. 

In this fireside chat at NORTH51, Jonathan Neufeld will moderate a discussion to explore how MERMAID - a field-ready, online/offline data platform - is transforming the way we monitor and protect coral reefs worldwide. Join us to dive into the power of data-driven conservation and the urgent need to bridge science and action in a changing ocean.

Learn about the conference theme and what to expect from NORTH51 from the co-chairs.