Leading Geospatial Event Gathered 3,509 Professionals in Denver Showcased the Critical Impact of Geospatial Technology Applications
DENVER, CO – February 20, 2026 – Thousands of geospatial and mapping professionals gathered in Denver this week for Geo Week, the industry’s premier conference and tradeshow showcasing advanced mapping technologies. The event drew 3,509 professionals from more than 3,800 registrants and featured an exhibit hall brimming with solutions from 238 exhibitors from 25 countries and took place at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado, February 16-18, 2026
“The energy and engagement at Geo Week 2026 exceeded all expectations,” said Lee Corkhill, Event Director at Geo Week. “From groundbreaking keynotes to packed conference sessions and a bustling exhibit hall, this year’s event demonstrated how geospatial professionals are using advanced mapping technologies to solve the world’s most complex challenges. The record attendance reflects the critical role geospatial technologies play across industries.”
Keynote presentations set the tone for the event, with Dr. Lilian Pintea, Vice President of Conservation Science at the Jane Goodall Institute, opening the event with “Mapping Technologies Accelerating Conservation,” demonstrating how drones, lidar, and satellite imagery are revolutionizing habitat mapping and wildlife monitoring and putting communities at the forefront of data-driven decisions. Burkhard Boeckem, Chief Technology Officer at Hexagon, delivered a spectacularly visual presentation on “Precision and Intelligence,” exploring how AI and digital twins are creating connected infrastructure capable of autonomous monitoring and optimization.
Jack Dangermond, founder and president of Esri, was present to accept the ASPRS Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his transformative contributions to GIS and the broader geospatial community over decades of leadership and innovation, as part of the prestigious ASPRS Awards Presentations recognizing outstanding achievements across the geospatial profession.
Geo Week News produced in-depth coverage throughout the event, capturing how the geospatial industry is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades, and positioning geospatial as the connective tissue of how societies understand and respond to their world. Workforce-focused sessions revealed that demand for geospatial talent in North America is growing nearly five times faster than qualified graduates entering the field, highlighting the urgent need for the industry to fundamentally change how it attracts, trains, and retains the next generation of professionals.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced the completion of their 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), a collaborative, nationwide initiative to systematically collect high-resolution, 3D topographic data for the entirety of the United States and its territories. USGS shared stunning imagery that accompanied the highly anticipated updates on this monumental achievement which has resulted in the first-ever, consistent, nationwide baseline of high-resolution topographic data, enabling better decision-making. More Geo Week News coverage on the evolving vision and future direction of 3DEP will be coming soon.
Dedicated tracks from Event Partners included ASPRS sessions covering professional standards development and cutting-edge applications of photogrammetry and remote sensing technologies, and Reality Capture Network (RCN) sessions highlighting advanced 3D capture workflows and reality capture integration across the built environment.
Emesent, GeoCue, and Mach9 won the Pitch the Press competition, with 18 companies in total presenting innovative solutions to a panel of industry media. The winning solutions represent cutting-edge advances in SLAM technology, lidar scanning, and AI integration.
New this year, roundtable discussions provided intimate settings for deep-dive conversations on critical industry topics, the Demo Zone offered hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies, and the Women in Geospatial Meet-Up fostered connections among professionals, with plans announced to expand networking opportunities next year.
Looking Ahead to Salt Lake City 2027
Following the success of Geo Week 2026 in Denver, the event will relocate to the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 23-25, 2027. The move positions Geo Week in one of the nation’s fastest-growing tech hubs with a well-established geospatial community. Registration for Geo Week 2027 will open in summer 2026. For more information, visit www.geo-week.com.
About Geo Week
Geo Week brings together geospatial and mapping professionals to explore how data, maps, and advanced technologies can deepen our understanding of the world and inform solutions for complex challenges. Geo Week’s conference program and tradeshow floor provide expert insights, real-world case studies, cutting-edge tools, and unmatched peer-to-peer networking.
Geo Week is produced by Geo Week News and is part of Diversified’s technology portfolio, which also includes Commercial UAV Expo, Commercial UAV News, Geo Business (UK), and Digital Construction Week (UK).