Dear BeSpatial Ontario Members and Sponsors,
On behalf of the BeSpatial Management Team, I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on our collective achievements over the past year and extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Your dedication and resilience for the geospatial profession continues to be the cornerstone of our community’s success.
Reflecting on 2025: This year has been filled with significant milestones and collaborative efforts; all of which continued to propel our organization forward. From the return of our in-person annual conference (which saw sold-out attendance), to the four in-person community events across the province, to the virtual workshops and webinars that provided invaluable learning opportunities, we continued to foster a vibrant and innovative geospatial community. We also moved forward with our BeTransformed initiative - we are bringing more value to our members, sponsors, and to all who work with data and are a part of the geospatial community, regardless of job title.
Our members are leading the charge on innovative projects, harnessing the power of geospatial technologies to tackle real-world challenges and create meaningful impact. The energy of collaboration and the commitment to sharing knowledge within our community continue to set a remarkable standard.
With your unwavering support, 2025 allowed us to successfully host four in-person events throughout the year in various locations, including Thunder Bay, Peterborough, Sudbury, and Hamilton. The positive turnout and support from attendees, speakers, panelists, and sponsors were truly inspiring.
We welcome you to be part of the team; please consider filling out our volunteer form!
Looking Ahead: In 2026, we will continue to provide a self-supporting community that helps each other solve business problems, provides relevant data and technology content with in-person and virtual training and vertical-themed events, and we will proactively demonstrate to employers and community leaders that geospatial is an essential component in decision-making and business success. Please keep an eye on our website https://www.bespatialontario.ca/Events, and in e-newsletters for more details. Additional in person and virtual event opportunities will be released frequently! We are excited about the initiatives planned for the coming year and look forward to your active participation and contribution.
Our AGM will be held on May 26, 2026, at the same location as last year: the Holiday Inn and Suites in Burlington, and the theme is "BeInspired." We’ve taken sponsor/exhibitor/attendee feedback and completely reimagined the venue’s layout! Our conference’s theme highlights how inspiration fuels success and sparks transformative growth across our community. Registration will open next week, and we are looking forward to seeing many of you in person!
If there are turbulent times forecasted for your organization in 2026, know your geospatial community is here to support you. We remain committed to supporting our members through continued professional development, networking opportunities, and collaboration with those associated with the geospatial profession.
Thank You: I would like to take the opportunity to thank our amazing community of members and sponsors for your continued support. I would also take a moment to offer my humble appreciation to everyone on the Management Team, associated committees, and dedicated volunteers who donate their time and work tirelessly to keep you informed, enlightened, and keeping our geospatial community available to you anytime.
Celebrating Leadership and Welcoming New Talent: After 26 years of exceptional leadership as BeSpatial Ontario’s Executive Director, Sandra Crutcher will transition into the role of Executive Advisor effective January 1st. Sandra’s experience and insights have been instrumental in shaping our association, and we’re delighted she will continue to contribute as a valued member of our Management and Executive teams.
We are equally excited to welcome Heather Stortz as our new Administrative Coordinator. Heather’s expertise in managing essential “back office” operations will help ensure the continued smooth functioning of BeSpatial Ontario.
A heartfelt thank you to Sandra for her years of dedication, and a warm welcome to Heather - we’re truly grateful to you both!
Holiday Wishes: During this festive season, we wish you and your loved ones joy, peace, and prosperity. May your holidays be filled with warmth and happiness, and may the new year bring you continued success and fulfillment.
Thank you for being an integral part of BeSpatial Ontario. We are excited to achieve even more together in 2026.
Warmest regards,
Wendy Baldin
President, Director
