News in 2024
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Brisbane 2025 - what to expect
Site visit 15-17 January, 2024, Brisbane, Australia
Mark the dates
FIG Working Week 2025 will be held in the vibrant and pulsating
energy
of the city Brisbane in Australia. During three warm January days, the local organisers met with FIG President
Diane Dumashie and Director Louise Friis-Hansen in Brisbane for a site
visit to the venue, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), and to
discuss the preparations for this Working Week 2024
The dates for the conference are finally settled to: 6-10 April 2025
- so mark your calendar already now to secure your attendance on these
days. The three conference days will be 7-9 April
The local organisers
A national organising committee as well as a local organising
committee consisting of surveyors living in and around Brisbane have
been established. Convenor and Co-Conference Director is Steve Jacoby
PSM, Deputy Director-General, at hte Department of Lands, Queensland
Government. The local organising team is led by Peter James; some
may recall his father Earl James who has written a FIG publication about
his active time in FIG "FIG
and Me - My Twenty Five Years in the International Surveying Arena".
The local organising committees are diligently preparing an
extraordinary experience for both national and international
attendees. A strong involvement over the years from Geospatial Council
of Australia ensures a large and active local organising committe with
many already well-known faces in FIG. The national yearly event
will be held combined with the FIG Working Week and the conference days
will be merged to consist of exciting national and international
technical sessions.
Brisbane and the venue
Brisbane is a friendly and accommodating city. It is the third most
populous city in Australia, however the city centre is easy accessible
and easy to get around. Most activities during the FIG Working Week 2025
will be held in the city centre which means that all will be in walking
distance.
Nestled along the scenic Brisbane River, the Brisbane Convention &
Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in South Bank sets the stage for an
unforgettable experience. With the city's welcoming ambiance and easy
accessibility, attendees can seamlessly explore Brisbane's treasures,
including its vibrant city centre and cultural landmarks. There are hotels and restaurants available on the
South Bank close to the venue, and the city centre is just across the
bridge. A new walking bridge is being built which should be finalised
before the conference starts, making an easy access between the city
centre placed north of the river and the South Bank. Many hotels are
located in the city centre in walking distance from BCEC
The conference centre BCEC and the City of Brisbane work closely
together to ensure that the city will be involved in the programme of
the conference, the topics that FIG is covering. This will give exciting
possibilities for special activities together with the city.
The conference centre enables a vibrant atmosphere for the Working
Week. Its central location is optimal for FIG and with good
possibilities to get out into the city to explore e.g. the Surveying and
Mapping Museum, University areas and the city itself. The venue is well
suited for a inclusive exhibition with creative ideas.
Technical programme
FIG President Diane Dumashie discussed special topics for the Working
Week with the local representatives. The overall theme
"Collaboration, Innovation and Resilience: Championing a Digital
Generation" - a theme that covers and can include many current and
relevant topics. The call for papers will be publlished in the coming
months.
Already now, unique technical tours are being drafted. A mixture of
full- and half day tours will give a special insight into Brisbane and
Queensland and their challenges and solutions.
Many constructions have begun in Brisbane due to the upcoming Summer
Olympics that will take place in 2032. Several interesting topics will
be around the preparations and construction of such a large event and
its impact on a city and region.
As a good start of the conference various pre-events are beeing
organised among other things a Young Surveyors meeting and conference.
Visits
The site visit included several visits apart from the Conference
Centre. There was a visit to the city hall of Brisbane, the Cube which
is part of the Technical University Brisbane with exciting hands-on
gigantic screens, and technological equipment that could take away the
breath from almost anyone, and to Williams 1, the Government Building
where a meeting took place at 41st level with Convenor and Co-conference
director Steve Jacoby.
Soon the conference web site will be updated with more information (www.fig.net/fig2025)
. There will be a special presentation during the FIG Working Week 2024
and General Assembly and representatives will be attending for questions
and ideas.
The impressive intgeractive screens at The Cube
Navigating Visa Challenges
The local organisers and FIG are aware of the difficulties getting a
visa to Australia. Authorities have been consulted and FIG and the local
organisers are working on possibilities to help and guide the visa
process. We do hope that it will be possible to get a visa although we
know that this is difficult, but we are trying all we can to prepare as
much as possible and help along.
Gratitude and Welcome
A heartfelt thanks to the dedicated local organisers - both those who had travelled from
near and far to attend the meetings in person and to those who attended
online for your unwavering committment. It was wonderful to feel the spirit, see the city and experience
the eager to organise this event. Whether near or far, your enthusiasm
fuels our collective spirit.
We all welcome you to Brisbane, Queensland Australia for the
FIG Working Week 2025 on 6-10 April 2025
Louise Friis-Hansen
February 2024
