BESydney secures the world’s leading geospatial science congress, ISPRS 2029, in a first for Australia
The General Assembly of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) announced at its Congress in Toronto that it has selected Sydney to host the ISPRS Congress in September 2029, the first time the event will be held in Sydney.
The congress was secured by Locus Alliance, University of NSW and Curtin University in partnership with Business Events Sydney (BESydney), Placemaking NSW, and Destination NSW, and supported by Tourism Australia’s Bid Fund Program. The congress will be held at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) and is set to attract more than 2,000 delegates and generate an estimated $13.8 million in direct expenditure to the NSW economy.
The 2029 congress will meet under the theme “Caring for Earth and People: Past Wisdom, Future Vision”, bringing together leading experts to explore groundbreaking advancements shaping the future of geospatial science and technology. Across a week of plenary sessions, symposia and exhibitions, delegates will showcase cutting-edge research and forge new collaborations that influence how imagery and spatial data are used for mapping, environmental monitoring and tackling complex global challenges.
Rachel Greenwood, CEO of Locus Alliance, said hosting ISPRS in Sydney would be a landmark moment for the global spatial sciences community: “Hosting ISPRS in Sydney would be a significant milestone for the global spatial sciences community. Sydney offers not only world-class infrastructure, but also a strong network of industry, research and government partners actively advancing geospatial innovation.
"From Locus Alliance’s perspective, bringing ISPRS to Sydney in 2029 would create meaningful opportunities for international collaboration, knowledge exchange and real-world application of cutting-edge technologies. We would be proud to support and contribute to a congress that connects global expertise with Australia’s dynamic and rapidly evolving geospatial sector.”
Congress Director, Associate Professor Petra Helmholz of Curtin University, and Deputy-Director, Professor Sisi Zlatanova of UNSW, both key advocates throughout the bidding process, said the Congress would connect the global community with one of the world's most innovative research environments.
“Bringing ISPRS to Sydney in 2029 will be an extraordinary opportunity to connect the global photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences community with one of the world’s most innovative and collaborative research environments. Australia is uniquely positioned to showcase how science, technology and industry can work together to address complex global challenges. We are committed to delivering a congress that not only advances knowledge but also creates lasting partnerships and inspires the next generation of spatial scientists.”
BESydney CEO Amanda Lampe said the win reflected the strength of Sydney's research ecosystem and BESydney's role in securing globally significant events for the city: “Sydney brought together an exceptional coalition of researchers, universities, government and industry partners to secure this globally significant congress,” Ms Lampe said.
“Our team attended this year’s congress in Toronto, which reinforced the scale of innovation and knowledge exchange shaping the sector. Being there for the official announcement of Sydney as the 2029 host city was a proud moment and a clear signal of the confidence the global community has in what Sydney can deliver.”
