Geo:Influence launch – a day of inspiration and an emphasis on momentum
A near-perfect attendance rate and a group full of ideas, under one roof, for one day - a snapshot of the first Geo:Influence event.
The Survey Liaison Group (SLG - comprising CICES, TSA and RICS) has been working behind-the-scenes to bring this initiative to fruition.
Geo:Influence, an invite-only event, aims to harness our collective reach by creating a space where key players, thought leaders and influencers are brought together to drive meaningful change.
CICES president's view
Alison Watson MBE states:
'It’s been truly inspiring to be part of Geo:Influence, surrounded by people who are committed to the future of geospatial surveying.
'This event has been two years in the making and made powerful by the people who have shown up with ideas, energy and a shared sense of purpose.
'These are the "do-ers" of our profession and we’re all optimistic about the future - but only if we treat it with the seriousness and professionalism it demands.
'We must not, however, confuse inspiration with infrastructure.
'Inspiring the next generation is vital - but if we tell young people to aspire to be surveyors, then we must be ready to answer: "What exactly are we inviting them into? A job? A career? A profession?”
'If we say we are professionals, then it must mean something - I feel today went a long way towards that ambition.
'We now need to set the bar and create a charter – a binding obligation to support the next generation that commits to training routes that are credible, respected and provide entry points that are visible and attainable.
This is a critical time when CICES must act with purpose and integrity - if we want to be taken seriously by others, we must take ourselves seriously first.
Young people can spot tokenism a mile off, so let’s demonstrate that this is a profession worth belonging to.
'We need to be clear in what we offer, consistent in how we deliver and courageous in asking the hard questions of our institutions, our systems and ourselves.
'Being professional isn’t just a title, it’s a commitment - and the future of surveying depends on whether we’re willing to live up to it.'
Key insights from Geo:Influence
Some of the recurring themes throughout the day were:- Work placement challenges
- Lack of industry regulation and a need for better incentivisation for professionals to become members of professional bodies/become accredited
- Emphasis on an ongoing and amplified need for school outreach to get the 'surveying' word out to students, while providing adequate teaching skills and branded resources those delivering sessions
- Focus on attracting young/aspiring professionals, by amplifying correct messaging on platforms they're already present on (e.g. TikTok/Instagram), with short, engaging video content
- More awareness needed around available apprenticeships, including a proposed central hub to list opportunities and provide resources for current and future employees
What's next?
The SLG will meet on Friday 23 May 2025, to digest and discuss the event's actions/notes and start working on the plan forward.
All those that attended expressed a keen interest in contributing their unique experience and skillsets to bring real change to the geospatial sector.
We look forward to being an integral part of the collaboration and steering the post-event actions, alongside our SLG colleagues.
And we'll be keeping our channels updated with any future developments resulting from Geo:Influence, so be sure to keep an eye out!