Geo Connect Asia Rescheduled due to Corona Virus Concerns

Geo Connect Asia 2020, Southeast Asia’s inaugural geospatial event, has been cancelled in light of the Covid-19 (corona virus) outbreak. Themed ‘Mapping the data-driven future economy’, the event was set to feature the very latest trends and insights in the mapping and surveying industry in Singapore next month. However, the organizers have announced that the event now is scheduled to be held on 24 and 25 March 2021 instead.

Following the cancellation of Geo Connect Asia 2020 due to health and travel safety concerns connected to the still-evolving Covid-19 situation, organizers Montgomery Asia have announced that Southeast Asia’s inaugural geospatial event will now be held in March 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. 

Unwavering support of partners and sponsors

Speaking on the announcement, Rupert Owen, event director, said, “We remain committed to successfully delivering Southeast Asia’s inaugural globally-focused geospatial exhibition and conference in 2021; with this in view, I would like to thank all our partners, sponsors, exhibitors, delegates, media partners, venue operators and contractors for their unwavering support. The geospatial space in Southeast Asia remains a hugely exciting one, and we will return with a bigger and even more exciting programme next March, the preferred month for the global industry events calendar.”

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 noted Montgomery Asia’s decision.  We 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 strongly knitted community in 2021.”

Health and safety

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has also voiced support. Mr Andrew Phua, director, Exhibitions and Conferences, Singapore Tourism Board, said, “We understand the decision taken by Montgomery Asia to cancel Geo Connect Asia 2020 in light of the Covid-19 situation. During this challenging period, the health and safety of locals, visitors and industry partners remain our priority. We are staying vigilant, strengthening our defences and monitoring the situation closely. STB stands firmly by our MICE industry, and we will work closely with organisers, industry stakeholders and relevant government agencies to support future editions of Geo Connect Asia.”

John Whitehead, APAC director of sales and distribution at Trimble, a Platinum Sponsor of Geo Connect Asia 2020, has also spoken out in support. “Given the seriousness of the Covid-19 outbreak, not only in Asia but around the world, we fully understand and concur with the organiser’s decision to relaunch Geo Connect Asia at a later date,” said Mr Whitehead. “As a Platinum Sponsor, we continue to support Geo Connect Asia, and we are confident that the 2021 edition will be a great success.”

ASEAN geospatial industry

The ASEAN Federation of Land Surveying and Geomatics (ASEAN FLAG), which was set to host their 73^rd ASEAN meeting alongside Geo Connect Asia 2020, has also expressed solidarity and support for the decision. The ASEAN FLAG president Gerry Ong said, “As part of ASEAN, we are deeply concerned about the Covid-19 outbreak and its impact on the region. 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.