Infrastructure Summit Theme: Advancing Infrastructure Resiliency Through Digital Transformation

Vaidas Ulenskas is a GIS Team Leader at RB Rail AS. He graduated from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Vilnius Tech) in 2011 with M.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering. Vaidas joined Rail Baltica in 2019 meeting the new challenge - to lead GIS developments in the largest greenfield high speed rail transport infrastructure megaproject in Baltic states. Within 4 years, he assembled the solid GIS team, while the role of GIS in the project has changed dramatically - it turned into main source of information and the backbone of the currently developing Rail Baltica Digital Twin.

Amr has over 17 years of experience combining architectural, construction, and engineering expertise and is an industry-leading technology expert. As Chief Innovation Officer, he leverages the most cutting-edge technologies such as BIM, laser scanning, drone mapping, virtual and mixed reality, digital fabrication, and 3D printing to streamline the construction process for our clients and project teams. Amr has published multiple articles on construction innovation and is a regular presenter at technology conferences throughout the country. He holds a Master's of Architecture degree from Boston Architectural College and was recently recognized as the Autodesk AEC Innovator of the Year. A fun fact about Amr is that he earned his black belt in karate when he was 16 years old. In his free time, Amr enjoys traveling to historic places with his family. He currently lives with his wife and two young daughters in the Boston area.

Mr David Tan is the Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Development Group) of JTC, Singapore's lead government agency responsible for the planning and development of industrial infrastructure to support and catalyse the growth of new industries and transform existing enterprises. He oversees the land planning and redevelopment, architecture, procurement and contract management, as well as the planning and development of JTC's next generation estates like one-north, Jurong Innovation District, Punggol Digital District and Woodlands North Coast.

Mr Tan has professional experience in engineering and industry development; having been involved in the planning, design and construction of major infrastructure, building and reclamation projects. He was involved in the development of Jurong Island as the world's top ten chemical and energy hub, and Jurong Rock Caverns, South East Asia's first underground liquid hydrocarbon storage and terminalling facility. He was the Deputy Chief Executive of Energy Market Authority from 2007 to 2010 where he was involved in energy policy, planning and development.

Currently, Mr Tan serves on the boards of Jurong Port Pte Ltd and SLI Holdings Pte Ltd. He is also a member of the Development Projects Advisory Panel of the Ministry of Finance, and the MOH Holdings Pte Ltd's Healthcare Infrastructure and Planning Committee.

Mr Tan graduated with a BEng in Civil Engineering (First Class Honours) from the University of Adelaide and a MSc in Engineering from the National University of Singapore. In 2005, he was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) and in 2014, he was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Silver) in recognition of his contribution to the Public Service.

Harmen van Sprang, a visionary speaker, author, researcher, and lecturer, is foremost a pioneering social entrepreneur. As aptly described by his daughter, 'My father works in the future', Harmen has been instrumental in founding several forward-thinking organizations and initiatives.

Through his 'Sharing Cities Alliance' foundation, he has collaborated with global cities such as Copenhagen, Cape Town, New York City, Washington DC, Seoul, and Singapore, fostering a network of shared knowledge and sustainable practices. His creative studio, 'Sentience', is at the forefront of devising innovative concepts and projects that cater to a diverse clientele, pushing the boundaries of conventional thinking.

With his 'Next Reality' network, Harmen unites leaders from both the public and private sectors in the Netherlands, delving into the vast potential and addressing the intricate challenges posed by transformative technologies like Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Harmen's global influence is marked by his significant contributions to the sharing economy, where he has guided cities and corporations towards embracing more social and sustainable frameworks. His expertise as a co-author of an award-winning business book on the sharing economy further emphasizes his status as a thought leader.

Omar Habib, Co-founder and Digital Delivery expert at WiiGroup, is a visionary leader propelled by an unwavering passion for Construction Innovation and Project Controls. His expertise lies in guiding companies through the seamless implementation of digital construction and the development of intelligent reporting systems. With a notable career spanning Europe, the UK, and the Middle East, Omar has delivered consultancy services to major multinational corporations in commercial, residential, and infrastructure sectors. A dedicated advocate for knowledge sharing, he has contributed as a lecturer for the International Master's Degree in BIM Management, enriching the next generation of industry professionals.

Tobias believes in market-based solutions for global sustainability and has built a career by analyzing environmental data that can solve real-world problems. He co-founded Teren to cultivate a company culture and mission to transform data into solutions that create a safer and more sustainable planet.

Bonny is a geospatial analyst and self described human geographer and social anthropologist primarily focused on the impact of the built infrastructure on global health outcomes. Exploring geographic properties that capture complex interactions, dynamic shifts in ecosystem balance and how activities influence eco-geomorphic conceptual frameworks across a wide variety of environments are the topics of popular public talks and panel discussions.

Deeper insights begin by accessing open-source tools like QGIS, PostgreSQL, and Python. As a sought after speaker, Bonny introduces the framework for learning to apply advanced data analytics, including data engineering and geo-enrichment, to big global questions and potential pathways to solution building.

Often we learn skills like coding in a particular language or enterprise solutions but are unable to bridge the gap between fundamental didactic awareness, and application of our newly acquired knowledge or frameworks. My goal is to help provide the base with a little more context, real world datasets and guidance to launch a new and independent beginning to your geospatial and open source journey.

Bonny is the author of the books Python for Geospatial Data Analysis: Theory, Tools, and Practice for Location Intelligence (publisher, O'Reilly Media) and Geospatial Analysis with SQL: A hands on guide to performing geospatial analysis by unlocking the syntax of spatial SQL published by Packt Press. Current projects include a new book in progress with Locate Press, Geospatial Data Science & the Art of Storytelling.

Gerben Tiemens, Solution Architect Asset Information at Schiphol Group. My background is a Master (MSc) in Geospatial information at Wageningen University. I worked as a consultant and it-architect at a lot of Dutch organizations, local government, water and ministry on GIS infrastructure for administering their assets. Currently I am working at Schiphol Airport, with the systems for administering, using and analysing Asset data. These systems include technologies like Linked Data, BIM, Geospatial and document management. We are working on an integrated assetinformation lifecycle system for handling assetdata from contractor to administration and connecting it to Event-driven data and incident/workorder based data.

Elly Perets is a dynamic CEO and executive leader with a stellar track record in enterprise software sales, marketing, and business development across diverse industries. A seasoned team builder, Elly excels in startup environments, driving cultural change, and fostering international operations. With expertise in software, SaaS, capital equipment, and fundraising, Elly is a visionary strategist. Known for establishing global sales forces, alliances, and partnerships, Elly is a developer and executor of go-to-market business models and pricing strategies. Their unique knowledge spans retail, finance, manufacturing, education, pharma, and more, coupled with a talent for translating customer needs into innovative solutions.

Helen Pickard is the Group GIS Leader for Mott MacDonald based in the UK. Helen has 19 years of experience in applying GIS technology and adding the environmental context to infrastructure Projects worldwide; conscious of balancing development needs with a sustainable future through the use of Geospatial data and technology.

Helen is responsible for the strategic leadership of GIS to meet the business needs of the client sectors Mott MacDonald service. In her role she leads the GIS community of around 800 colleagues consisting of specialist consultants and users encouraging knowledge sharing and coordination to deliver GIS services.

16+ years of global experience in BIM Consulting, Program, Design & Management of AEC / EPC / ER & UTL projects, Virtual Design & Construction, Digital Engineering and Sustainable Design & Development

Shaily is a Principal Researcher at Geo-Social Analytics Lab, Department of Geoinformatics - Z_GIS, University of Salzburg. She is a GIS expert with more than 12 years of experience. She has a PhD from CEPT University, India in Geospatial Technology and has expertise in bridging the gap between GIS & governance.

Shaily has been awarded the Geospatial World 50 Rising Star for the year 2023 by Geospatial World and ISC Fellow for 2024. She has been Deputy Center Head for Center for Applied Geomatics, CRDF, India till March 2024. She has also served as the Program Chair for the M.Tech program in Geomatics at the Faculty of Technology from March 2022 till October 2023. Shaily is an executive committee member for the Committee on Data of the International Science Council (ISC) and Joint Secretary of ISRS (2022-24) and ISG (2023-25), Ahmedabad Chapter. She was the student branch counsellor for the IEEE GRSS Student branch at CEPT University (2022-24). She has contributed to important research projects as a Data scientist and GIS expert with different centers at CRDF. She works closely on projects with IGSTC, DST, GIDB, ISRO, GIZ, CODATA, MHT and Nagoya.

Shaily is keen on exploring the implementation of GIS and data science in the domain of Urban Analytics. Her core interest lies in exploring spatial technology for better decision-making along with defining spatial data standards for data interoperability for building future cities. As Principal Researcher Shaily brings extensive experience to bear on GIS and data science.

Asmaa is a BIM Coordinator at Span Construction and responsible for several big projects in Dubai. She carries a solid experience and knowledge in the field of BIM. She excels in several BIM skills such as BIM Modeling, BIM Coordination, Generative BIM (using Dynamo & Project Refinery), and BIM Project Management, which has shaped her career path. She believes in Digitization and started to implement AI with her company.

Asmaa is also, PMP, BRE BIM Level 2 Information Management, and BRE ISO19650 certified.

BIM Manager, ARB Architect and developing Data Scientist, always striving to find the best way to achieve the right goals. She was introduced to BIM through the first BIM project - Samson Pavilion - of the top UK architecture office - Foster + Partners. After a number of UK and international projects, she eventually shifted from tech-savvy architect to a BIM Manager role, her present position at Lendlease in London. Cristina is currently part of the Digital Engineering team and the Construction division, where she supports the digital delivery of construction projects but also leads initiatives to set standards, streamline processes and reduce risks through digitisation. Her current training as a data analyst has allowed her to extend the reach of these endeavours through the tools for a data-driven approach, but always aware of the key role that people play in generating change - with onboarding, training, and Health & Safety as a top focus. Cristina has a track record as a mentor and speaker in multiple industry events in the UK and internationally such as London Build, Digital Construction Week, AMI International, AIA Emerging Professionals, and judging for New Civil Engineer Techfest Awards and Digital Construction Awards.

Wajdi is a highly accomplished Architect with 18 years of extensive experience in the AEC digitalization, Assets Management, and BIM, with an exceptional high influence and interaction from an employer perspective, a Policy Maker, who is driving and regulating full lifecycle digital transformation in strategic multi-billion projects, he is recognized for innovation and achievement awards, such as the Innovator of the Year Award - AEC Excellence Awards 2020 - Las Vegas & the Individual Achievement Award of the Institute of Asset Management (IAM) Global Awards 2019 - London. Currently spearheading at one of the most reputable governmental entities in UAE, Miral LLC, successfully implementing Digital Twin, Common Data Environment, & BIM in multi-billion strategic projects, and he is holding multiple distinguished academic qualifications.

Abdelrahman has 15 years of diverse digital construction experience (Steel Fabrication, Software Provider, Design, Environment/Energy, & Construction/handover) with 2 Masters's degrees and one scientific publication. Besides, he has strong experience in Computational Design, 4D, and Laser Scanning.

He was responsible for Dubai airports, DXB & AMI (40bn$) (Program BIM management) and was leading the digital transformation initiative & ISO 19650 certification prep at Dar. He is currently BIM Manager for the DGDA 1 portfolio in KSA. He is also an Advisory Council Member at the UAE Society of Engineers, Digital Engineering Chapter.

Abdelrahman has strong knowledge in AI/ML, Blockchain, Digital Platforms, etc. He obtained his Executive Certificate in Innovation & Strategy from MIT Sloan. He holds also several MIT certificates in Digital Business, Neuroscience for Business, Digital Platforms, Breakthrough CX Strategy, Design Thinking & Algorithmic Business Thinking.

Abdelrahman has also development and programming skills (Python, Django, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ReactJS, & React Native) & holds PMP, LEED, RICS, & BRE certificates.

Dr Marianna Kopsida works for Trimble as Market Development Manager for the Field Systems sector. Her professional background is centered on digital-based workflows, with a keen interest in Augmented Reality, Digital Construction, Connected workflows and Digital Twins. Prior to joining Trimble, Marianna studied civil engineering at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece before completing her PhD in Engineering at the University of Cambridge, UK. Her PhD research was focused on the automation of progress monitoring inspections using Mixed Reality. Part of her research was conducted at the Intelligent Vision and Automation Laboratory, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.

Antonio Mendes is a thought leader in the digital construction industry, driving innovation and pushing boundaries with his expertise in reality capture technology. As the Mobile Mapping Systems (MMS) Solutions Manager at Leica Geosystems, Antonio has spent more than two decades perfecting his his skills in geospatial engineering.

Antonio's wealth of experience as a Geomatic Engineer gives him a deep understanding of the industry, enabling him to specialise in mobile mapping systems since its inception in 2011. His work has played a significant role in the evolution of the mobile mapping industry.

Antonio is passionate about guiding new and established professionals towards the next revolution in mobile mapping. His vision and leadership have helped countless individuals reach new heights in their careers, and his impact on the industry is immeasurable. As a thought leader, Antonio Mendes is an inspiration to all those striving to push the boundaries of what is possible in the digital construction world.

Ahmed Aboualfa, a seasoned digital innovator and strategist, boasts over 13 years of experience leveraging data for actionable insights in billion-dollar organizations. Currently serving as the Head of Digital Delivery and Innovation at Diriyah Company, overseeing a nearly $60 billion historical and heritage project, Ahmed plays a central role in shaping digital strategy and business intelligence. With an architectural background and an MBA in strategic management, coupled with postgraduate qualifications from esteemed institutions, he brings a unique blend of technical and managerial acumen to his leadership. As a founder of the first BIM Association in the UAE and the Middle East, Ahmed actively contributes to the discourse on digital transformation. His commitment is further evident through being a finalist for the Engineer of the Year award, emphasizing his impactful role in the industry.

Severin Alton, Head of IT at Rubner Group, is a seasoned professional with a proven track record in digitalization and technology integration. Severin has a lot of expertise to offer, with a background in Information Systems and a lot of experience in IT consulting, manufacturing and construction.

For the past four years, Severin has led a dynamic team of 30 IT professionals at Rubner Group, driving digitalization efforts and implementing innovative solutions. His expertise lies in leveraging technology to streamline processes and enhance efficiency, particularly within sales, production, and supply chain management.

Severin has a skill for making complex ideas understandable and useful, and his presentations captivate audiences with information and motivation, preparing them to welcome the impact of technology in their own fields.

Currently employed as Vice President - Consulting at Geospatial World, Ananyaa Narain, an economist by education, is a leading thought leader in the socio-economic and market research space for geospatial, BIM, and frontier technologies worldwide. She was recognized as a 40U40 geospatial professional for 2020 by xyHt, and a Geospatial Rising Star 2022 by Geospatial World. Over her eight years of experience in the geospatial technology domain, she is recognized for her result-oriented approach to exploring the impact of the cross-linkage of technology, economics, and policy using varied qualitative and quantitative tools and frameworks. Her professional expertise includes working with cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary stakeholders across technology, academia, and government stakeholders for market size and forecast assessment, socio-economic impact evaluation, developing national policy and governance frameworks, and initiating and contributing to global technology and policy dialogue and debates through research reports and articles, and conference convening.

I have over 20 years of experiences in underground infrastructure development including metro lines, cable tunnels, caverns and utilities. The involvement in various roles within the underground works industry have provided an understanding of its dynamics and complexities. Currently, I am dedicated to the advancement of underground detection and mapping technologies, with a keen focus on driving safety, efficiency, and sustainability initiatives.

Dr Gareth Barker works for Kier, part of the EKFB JV responsible for the construction of the Central 2 and 3 sections of HS2 Phase One in the UK. His professional career has focussed on leveraging GIS and GNSS technology to optimise digital field data collection, with his latest focus on developing digital workflows to capture, deliver, and utilise digital geotechnical data.

Prior to his professional career he earned a Master's degree in Earth Science from The University of Manchester, UK. He further enhanced his academic credentials by completing a PhD in Geochemistry at University College Dublin, Ireland. His research employed advanced analytical techniques to explore ore genesis and mineral processing at the Navan Zn-Pb mine.

Salvatore Amaduzzi, an Associate Professor at the University of Udine, is a dedicated professional with a profound passion for Location Information and Spatial Technologies. Serving as the Deputy for Sustainability at the University of Udine, he is also a shareholder of AiperTech, a prominent Artificial Intelligence spinoff from the university. With a background as a Project Manager for industry and public administration initiatives, Salvatore possesses a broad skill set and extensive expertise in the integration of geospatial applications across various industry sectors. As a lecturer in numerous universities worldwide, he contributes significantly to the dissemination of knowledge. Currently, Salvatore is engaged in pioneering projects involving the utilization of wearable devices for field services activities, focusing on smart glass, watches, and more.

Chris Bruntlett is International Relations Manager at the Dutch Cycling Embassy, a public-private partnership that represents the best knowledge, experience, and experts from the Netherlands. As a long-time campaigner in Vancouver, he fell in love with Dutch bike culture in 2016, inspiring him to author the book, "Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality". Chris uses his knowledge and passion to share lessons for global cities wishing to follow their footsteps, and become better places to live, work, and of course cycle. His latest book is "Curbing Traffic: The Human Case for Fewer Cars in our Lives".

Jan Egbertsen (1964) has studied management and logistics at the University of Twente in The Netherland. He works for Port of Amsterdam as Manager Strategy and Innovation. He has worked for Port of Amsterdam as Strategic Advisor, Deputy Director Marketing and Advisor for the Board. At the moment he is active in digital strategy, energy transition, transport strategy and clean shipping.

With over 20 years of experience in Telecommunications, Consumer Electronics, Automotive and Public affairs, Josette holds a long track record of various positions in Transition Management, Product Management, Engineering, Project Management and Finance. Currently in her role of Team Manager at the City of Amsterdam she leads a team of Policy Officers responsible for communication (education), stimulation (subsidies) facilitation (public charging infrastructure) and regulation (environmental and zero-emission zones) to transition all kinds of fossil transportation in Amsterdam to zero-emission transportation. Josette is interested in mobility, tech, sustainability,, agile, education, strategy and coaching.

Stefan Wierda has a strong foundation in geospatial data and analyses, with a Master's of Human-Machine Communication degree from the University of Groningen. His journey in academia includes a Ph.D. in neuroscience, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the Artificial Intelligence Department of the University of Groningen.

Stefan transitioned into the geospatial industry, working at Fugro, a leading geodata company. There, he contributed to the offshore division, developing computer vision and remote sensing survey solutions, before moving into innovation management roles.

Later, Stefan joined Asset.Insight., part of the VolkerWessels family, where he led a data science team, managing technical and commercial aspects of projects. The team's focus was on analyzing infrastructure configuration and conditions using mobile mapping and predictive analytics, delivering tailored solutions to clients.

Recently, Stefan joined AI-InfraSolutions where he serves as Director Innovation, overseeing the company's R&D program. has a strong foundation in geospatial data and analyses, with a Master's of Human-Machine Communication degree from the University of Groningen. His journey in academia includes a Ph.D. in neuroscience, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the Artificial Intelligence Department of the University of Groningen.

Stefan transitioned into the geospatial industry, working at Fugro, a leading geodata company. There, he contributed to the offshore division, developing computer vision and remote sensing survey solutions, before moving into innovation management roles.

Later, Stefan joined Asset.Insight., part of the VolkerWessels family, where he led a data science team, managing technical and commercial aspects of projects. The team's focus was on analyzing infrastructure configuration and conditions using mobile mapping and predictive analytics, delivering tailored solutions to clients.

Recently, Stefan joined AI-InfraSolutions where he serves as Director Innovation, overseeing the company's R&D program.

Experienced BIM Specialist with a passion for data analytics, Python programming, and the implementation of cutting-edge technologies like ChatGPT and BingChat. Over the past 10 years, I have honed my expertise in the field of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and witnessed firsthand the transformative power of data-driven solutions.

He firmly believe that the true potential of BIM lies in its correct application and utilization of data. By leveraging advanced analytics techniques, He strive to extract valuable insights from BIM data, enabling informed decision-making and optimized project outcomes. His proficiency in Python programming empowers me to develop custom tools and scripts to streamline BIM workflows and enhance productivity.

In addition to his BIM background, He has developed a keen interest in water engineering, particularly within the context of overcoming future water crises. Currently pursuing his studies in TalTech's Water System and Sewer Engineering program, he is eager to explore how the convergence of BIM, AI, and water engineering can play a pivotal role in tackling these challenges.

Saeed Ullah Khan, serving as Director of GIS at Red Sea Global, possesses extensive expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing, boasting a career spanning over two decades. With a diverse background, he has provided invaluable GIS and mapping support across various industry sectors, including large-scale construction developments, onshore and offshore renewables, environmental initiatives, archaeology endeavors, and land management projects.

Saeed is deeply committed to fostering innovation within large-scale developments and is dedicated to delivering robust GIS solutions and services. He champions the implementation of cutting-edge technologies to equip the workforce with enhanced location intelligence capabilities, thus driving efficiency and effectiveness in project execution.

Kris De Meester has a solid background in sales and business development, primarily in high-tech and engineering companies. Kris is currently the Vice President of Sales and Business Development at XENOMATIX, where they focus on developing vision solutions for automotive applications. Prior to this role, they served as the Country Manager at XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS BELGIUM, where they were responsible for strategic planning, sales operations, and market analysis. Kris also served as the Managing Director at ECHO ENGINEERING, spearheading commercialization, sales growth, and business development. Kris has a wide range of experience in various leadership roles, including Manager Eneria Business Unit & Engineering Manager at BERGERAT MONNOYEUR BELGIUM and Consulting Engineer & Sales Executive at SIEMENS INDUSTRY SOFTWARE. In these positions, they played instrumental roles in revenue growth, market share increases, efficiency improvement, and strategic partnerships.

Kris De Meester obtained a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology from 1991 to 1992. Before that, they pursued a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at KU Leuven from 1985 to 1990.

Guilherme pioneers the conceptualization and development of geospatial indicators for more comprehensive measurement of progress on the United Nations SDGs. In 2022-2023, he crafted indicators for urban accessibility (SDG11) and rural road access (SDG9), featured in the Sustainable Development Report co-authored with Prof. Jeffrey Sachs. This work garnered major media coverage in outlets such as Nature Sustainability, Associated Press, Nikkei, and El Pais.

Dr. Rimali Mitra, a dedicated GIS Modeller at Connected Places Catapult, holds a PhD in deep learning applications in flood/tsunami modeling and GIS in Earth Science from Kyoto University, Japan. With over 6 years of hands-on experience in spatial data analysis across academia and industry, Rimali has become a recognized expert. Their contributions extend to publishing research papers in esteemed peer-reviewed Q1 scientific journals. Proficient in Python, SQL, and machine learning applications, Rimali is deeply passionate about technology, innovation, and tackling complex problem-solving tasks. Their interdisciplinary and collaborative research approach positions them as a valuable asset, contributing to the strengthening of both scientific and industrial communities.

I am an innovative thinker, with one patent to my name, and a reputation for delivering, no matter what obstacles arise. I have almost 30 years experience in IT, half of which I have been working with business stakeholders to help them to transform their business through more effective use of IT and IT innovation. The other half has been developing IT businesses and business services for both small and large organisations.

From a transformation perspective, I am an experienced CTO and an accredited Enterprise Architect. I use EA techniques to help teams describe transformations in terms that business understands and can make decisions on. I also have a proven track record on executing change.

From a business development perspective I use value chain thinking to design services that deliver value to both business and customers. I have built service lines from zero to deliver value of over €30M, designing the product and service lines, recruiting and building the teams and software products and service management frameworks to manage them after delivery. I also have a proven track record for developing go to market strategies and then successfully executing on them.

As a manager I develop effective internal relationships with key stakeholders and staff as well as external relationships with clients and suppliers. I am a good motivator, with a focus on detail and quality, without suppressing creativity.

Michael Fischer (Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg) is the Head of Urban Data Analytics at the Urban Data Hub within the Agency of Geoinformation and Surveying. He holds a Ph.D. in polar sciences bringing a unique perspective to the field of urban data. He has been responsible for the development of the real time data infrastructure within the Urban Data Platform Hamburg. Michael Fischer and his team are now focusing on data driven decisions by applying methods of advanced analytics, artificial and business intelligence to unlock valuable insights from urban data. Throughout his career, he has earned a reputation as a leading expert in Urban Data Platforms, IoT (Internet of Things), and leveraging data to make informed decisions. He is deeply passionate about digital maps, spatial data, bringing data to life and using it as a driving force for positive change. Michael has been involved in numerous national and international projects with an emphasis on data, urban data platforms, real time and Urban Digital Twins. He voluntarily supports the association Code for Hamburg.

Experienced GIS and GeoICT Business Manager with more than 25 years of professional experience in the field of GIS and spatial data.

Project Manager of GIS- and GeoICT projects dealing with geodata management, implementation of geographical software applications and integration of geodata within organizational processes.

Senior GIS- and GeoICT consultant with knowledge on the implementation of spatial data infrastructures based on OGC standards and INSPIRE principles on local and regional level, based on commercial and open source GEO software.

Mr. Christian Veldhuis has a background in GIS and has been working on the development of the 3D city model and the Digital Twin of Rotterdam for more than 10 years. With a preference for putting theory into practice, he tries to bridge the gap between vision and practice, technology and people.

He works at the department of GEO-information within the public works department of the municipality of Rotterdam. In order to carry out the development and management of the city in a future-proof manner, the Digital Twin plays an increasingly important role and this technology must be combined with processes and people to become successful.

As an senior advisor, he works on bringing together different disciplines and processes in the digital twin so that we work together on the city of tomorrow. Developments that are currently being worked on include conducting analyzes and simulations of the current and future city, automated granting of permits and an improved way of communicating with the city's residents.

Hesham, a Digital Twin expert and Spatial Computing innovator, holds a Master's degree in Engineering. As a Certified BIM professional and Industry Leader at Esri SA, he brings over a decade of experience in digitalizing the AEC sector. Specializing in leading complex digital twin systems worldwide, Hesham integrates GIS, BIM, and more for mega projects.

Ryan is based in Portland, Oregon USA and serves as the Director of Business Development for GeoSolutions in North America. Ryan holds a MS in Homeland Security - Geospatial Intelligence from Penn State University and BA in Geography/GIS from University of Washington. Ryan is an open-source geospatial professional supporting all levels of government and several industry sectors in their operational use of open-source geospatial, specifically for GeoServer, GeoNode, and MapStore.

Anthony leads our Global Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Digital Twin development and deployment. With over 17 years' experience, his role improves business efficiencies and revenue generation. Anthony also manages our Cities Computational Engineering Programme. Anthony's expertise lie in digital twin and geospatial consulting services and solutions delivery to clients around the world. He enables smart and digital cities with geospatial data and information modelling management within the AEC industry, railway engineering, asset information management, local authority governance, urban / spatial planning, physical asset management, and disaster risk reduction and management for city resilience.

Anthony is an experienced leader, team manager and visionary who specialises in: programme and project management, digital asset information management, spatial data, systems integration, digital twin data standards, methods and procedures, enterprise spatial data infrastructure, semantic 3D web mapping, virtual cities, data science and geospatial data analytics, relationship building and stakeholder engagement.

Prior to joining Buro Happold, Anthony worked in various capacities as a Senior Engineering Leader (Digital Engineering). He was the GIS Programme Manager for the Transport for London Rail and Underground Engineering Information Directorate, and the GIS Technical Manager and GIS Development Officer for the London Borough of Hackney. Anthony was previously Head of Geospatial Data and Information for MapAction (voluntary capacity) - an international disaster mapping organisation.

Rajy brings a wealth of experience in Energy Automation and IT Systems integration to the table. With a robust background in managing sophisticated IT projects and data centers, Rajy's expertise spans across various domains, including Power Systems Automation & Control, SCADA, Energy Management Systems (EMS), and Distribution Management Systems (DMS). As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Rajy is adept at overseeing the management of GPC-GIS projects portfolio, setting IT systems policies, and providing consultancy and implementation support. Currently serving as a Business Development Manager, Rajy is dedicated to formalizing alliances and streamlining proposals management. With a focus on advancing his career in business development and project management within the realm of IT projects, Rajy is keen on opportunities aligned with his extensive background and specialties, which also include Electrical Engineering, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI), and Automatic Meter Reading (AMR).

I am a strategic professional specialized in sustainable urban development, governance and infrastructure with more than 10 years of experience in the public and private sectors. Examples of my work include the operational, financial and innovation management of local and national urban development and infrastructure programs and policies. My passion is creating public value for global prosperity by working hand in hand with communities and their ecosystems.

Aaron Addison serves as the Executive Director for the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC) Secretariat where his focus is geospatial industry outreach working with companies and organizations around the globe on challenges related to the policy, implementation and communication of geospatial data. His 30 years of international experience includes extensive work in the public and private sectors as well as NGOs and higher education institutions. In addition to leading the Secretariat, Addison currently provides leadership for WGICactivities in education, workforce development, digital twins and recently initiated GeoAction Africa project examining the contributions that geospatial tools and services may provide to countries in Africa. In addition to his operational and project management roles, he also staffs the WGIC Policy and IndustryAcademia committees working to bring education and research together with geospatial industry.?

Dr. Mani Dhingra is a prominent urban researcher, sustainability advocate, and social scientist with over a decade of experience. Passionate about fostering inclusive, sustainable, and smart urban futures, he specializes in strategic policymaking, decision support systems, and bridging academia-industry gaps. With expertise in urban sustainability, climate change, disaster resilience, and smart cities, Dr. Dhingra actively contributes to shaping resilient, socially inclusive urban environments. His commitment to merging theoretical insights with practical solutions positions him as a transformative force in the pursuit of a better urban future.

With a MSc in Surveying and Mapping and a MBA in Entrepreneurship and Leadership, Matthieu is Head of Sales & Business Development for Wingtra in Europe. He focuses on expanding Wingtra's activities in the region and helping users succeed on their drone mapping projects by leveraging Wingtra's leading-edge drone products to quickly and accurately map large areas.

Phil has 30+years experience as a London-based Urban Planner and Designer and has worked for Broadway Malyan since 2002, focusing on its International projects such as regional and city scale urban planning strategies, development frameworks, master plans, design guides, urban codes and cultural heritage projects including statutory planning policy documents. His work extends to projects in Europe, Middle East, India, South East Asia, North & South America, North and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Phil applies evidence-based approach through incisive analysis to support innovative yet pragmatic value-generating solutions that operate at both local and wider holistic levels. He aims to optimise place value and social benefits while identifying revenue streams for public and private investment returns that result in sustainable outcomes with long-term resilience. He supports transit oriented development (TOD), the introduction of smart environmentally attuned systems devised through stakeholder participation articulating graphic messaging to attract support.

Dr. Mani Dhingra is a prominent urban researcher, sustainability advocate, and social scientist with over a decade of experience. Passionate about fostering inclusive, sustainable, and smart urban futures, he specializes in strategic policymaking, decision support systems, and bridging academia-industry gaps. With expertise in urban sustainability, climate change, disaster resilience, and smart cities, Dr. Dhingra actively contributes to shaping resilient, socially inclusive urban environments. His commitment to merging theoretical insights with practical solutions positions him as a transformative force in the pursuit of a better urban future.

Hesham, a Digital Twin expert and Spatial Computing innovator, holds a Master's degree in Engineering. As a Certified BIM professional and Industry Leader at Esri SA, he brings over a decade of experience in digitalizing the AEC sector. Specializing in leading complex digital twin systems worldwide, Hesham integrates GIS, BIM, and more for mega projects.

Bonny is a geospatial analyst and self described human geographer and social anthropologist primarily focused on the impact of the built infrastructure on global health outcomes. Exploring geographic properties that capture complex interactions, dynamic shifts in ecosystem balance and how activities influence eco-geomorphic conceptual frameworks across a wide variety of environments are the topics of popular public talks and panel discussions.

Deeper insights begin by accessing open-source tools like QGIS, PostgreSQL, and Python. As a sought after speaker, Bonny introduces the framework for learning to apply advanced data analytics, including data engineering and geo-enrichment, to big global questions and potential pathways to solution building.

Often we learn skills like coding in a particular language or enterprise solutions but are unable to bridge the gap between fundamental didactic awareness, and application of our newly acquired knowledge or frameworks. My goal is to help provide the base with a little more context, real world datasets and guidance to launch a new and independent beginning to your geospatial and open source journey.

Bonny is the author of the books Python for Geospatial Data Analysis: Theory, Tools, and Practice for Location Intelligence (publisher, O'Reilly Media) and Geospatial Analysis with SQL: A hands on guide to performing geospatial analysis by unlocking the syntax of spatial SQL published by Packt Press. Current projects include a new book in progress with Locate Press, Geospatial Data Science & the Art of Storytelling.