In view of health and travel safety concerns connected to the still-evolving Covid-19 situation, organisers Montgomery Asia have announced the postponement of Geo Connect Asia this year to 2021 – and Southeast Asia’s inaugural geospatial event will return on 24th & 25th March in 2021. Taking place at Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre in Singapore, the event will build on the excellent foundations laid in 2020 and is expected to attract an even larger number of sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers from across the region and around the world.

Geo Connect Asia 2020 had garnered a positive reception from businesses and stakeholders in the ASEAN geospatial space and received strong support from industry trade associations and various media partners. The event was set to bring together over 50 regional and international exhibitors and poised to attract 2,500 attendees from across the region with a high-level thought leadership focused conference. These numbers are expected to grow in 2021.

Mr Ng Siau Yong, Director, Geospatial and Data and Chief Data Officer at the Singapore Land Authority, a leading Knowledge Partner that supports Geo Connect Asia 2020, said, “SLA & GeoWorks ... will nonetheless give our full support to the new and exciting event in 2021. This event has already attracted top level speakers, international exhibitors and visitors from technology-based capabilities to capacity building. We look forward to receiving the same or even higher level of support in building this strong knitted community in 2021.”

Mr Andrew Phua, Director, Exhibitions and Conferences, Singapore Tourism Board, said, “The health and safety of locals, visitors and industry partners remain our priority during this period. Meanwhile, we believe that Singapore’s reputation as a preferred destination for MICE events remains strong. Our track record in delivering high-quality events speaks for itself, and we look forward to supporting future editions of Geo Connect Asia.”

Mr John Whitehead, APAC Director of Sales and Distribution at Trimble, a Platinum Sponsor of Geo Connect Asia 2020, has also spoken out in support. “We fully understand and concur with the organiser’s decision to relaunch Geo Connect Asia at a later date. As a Platinum Sponsor, we continue to support Geo Connect Asia, and we are confident that the 2021 edition will be a great success.”

The ASEAN Federation of Land Surveying and Geomatics (ASEAN FLAG), which was set to host their 73rd ASEAN meeting alongside Geo Connect Asia 2020, has also expressed solidarity and support for the decision. The ASEAN FLAG President Gerry Ong said, “While we remain fully committed to the ASEAN geospatial industry and to Geo Connect Asia, we understand that the health and safety of all attendees at the event are of paramount concern. As such, we look forward to a bigger and better Geo Connect Asia in 2021.”

By holding Geo Connect Asia at a later date in 2021, it is anticipated that a wider range of regional and international geospatial solutions providers will be in attendance. The build-up to this year’s cancelled edition of Geo Connect Asia has laid the groundwork for a successful future edition, with various partnerships established regionally and internationally.