Dear BeSpatial Ontario Members and Sponsors,
As we approach the end of another remarkable year, we take this opportunity to reflect on our collective achievements and extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Your dedication and passion for the geospatial community continues to be the cornerstone of our success.
Reflecting on 2024: This year has been filled with significant milestones and collaborative efforts that have propelled our organization forward. From our highly successful annual conference, which saw record attendance and engagement, to the numerous workshops and webinars that provided invaluable learning opportunities, we have continued to foster a vibrant and innovative geospatial community. In 2024: our Meta post reach increased by 156%, our content interactions increased by 2,500%, and our LinkedIn account have over 71,000 organic impressions. We also began a BeTransformed journey - an opportunity for our association to bring more value to our members, sponsors, and to all who work with data and are a part of the geospatial community, regardless of job title.
Our members are at the forefront of groundbreaking projects, and are leveraging geospatial technologies to address real-world challenges and drive positive change. The spirit of collaboration and knowledge-sharing within our community is truly inspiring.
For myself, as well as the BeSpatial Management Team, 2024 represented the fulfillment of our commitment to return to in-person events. We successfully hosted six in-person events throughout the year in various locations, including Seneca College, Thunder Bay, Kingston, Sudbury (twice!), and Cambridge. The positive turnout and support from attendees, speakers, panelists, and sponsors were truly heartening.
We also saw changes in our Board throughout the year. A sincere and heartfelt thank you to Susan Muleme-Kasumba, Jeff Norris, Melanie Wawryk, Jenn Gross, Jax Vollmer, and Jackie Smith for their service and support. We are thrilled to welcome new team members Clifford Rutledge, Kelly Seguin, Paul Giroux, Jeff Lamb, Alexandra Turner, and Lisa Pienta, along with over 30 new volunteers who have joined us on our transformative journey. Please consider filling out our volunteer form!
Looking Ahead: As we look to the future, we remain committed to supporting our members through continued professional development, networking opportunities, and collaboration with those associated with the geospatial profession. We are excited about the initiatives planned for the coming year and look forward to your active participation and contribution.
In 2025, we will continue to build a self-supporting community that helps each other solve business problems, provides relevant data and technology content with in-person training and vertical-themed events, and we will proactively demonstrate to employers and community leaders that geospatial is a critical component in decision-making and business success. Please keep an eye on our website https://www.bespatialontario.ca/Events, and in these newsletters for more details. Additional in person event opportunities will be released frequently!
Our AGM will be held on April 29th, 2025, at the Holiday Inn in Burlington, with the theme "BeInspired." This theme emphasizes the importance of inspiration in achieving success and empowering transformational growth within our community. Registration is now open, and we look forward to seeing many of you in person!
We are also pleased to announce the renewal of our partnership with Pathfinder Exploration Community, sponsoring another year of engaging Pathfinder’s podcasts. This collaboration brings our members 10 episodes packed with expert insights, fostering professional development and innovation in the geospatial sector.
Thank you: I would like to take the opportunity to thank our amazing community of members, volunteers, and sponsors for your continued support. I would also take a moment to offer my humble appreciation to everyone on the Management Team and associated committees that donate their time and work tirelessly to keep you informed, enlightened, and coming back for more.
Holiday Wishes: During this festive season, we wish you and your loved ones joy, peace, and prosperity. May your holidays be filled with warmth and happiness, and may the new year bring you continued success and fulfillment.
Thank you for being an integral part of BeSpatial Ontario. We are excited to achieve even more together in 2025.
Warmest regards,
Wendy Baldin
President, Director
