DGI 2025
10 - 12 February, 2025
Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London
Main Day One - January 21
Leveraging Geospatial Intelligence to Transform Safety, Security and Defence
7:45 am - 8:55 am
Registration, Networking and Coffee
9:00 am - 9:10 am
Opening Remarks
Lt General James Hockenhull -
Chief of Defence Intelligence,
UK MoD
9:10 am - 9:40 am
NGA Keynote– Guiding Principles for the Ongoing Transformation of US Geospatial Intelligence
Vice Admiral Robert Sharp -
Director,
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
· Introducing the NGA’s 4 pillars for organisational transformation
· How is the NGA changing its approach to cooperation and collaboration with mission partners?
· Where can industry support the NGA with its most pressing technological needs and requirements?
· How will the NGA continue to develop its people in line with a dynamic man-machine operational environment?
9:40 am - 10:00 am
NCGI Keynote – Transforming How NCGI Delivers Geospatial Intelligence to Support Security and Defence
Brigadier Chris Middleton -
Commander,
National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence
· How are geopolitical shifts impacting the UK intelligence environment?
· How is UK geospatial intelligence being leveraged to address emerging security risks and threats?
· What will the UK be doing differently to maintain superior intelligence capabilities and stronger partnerships?
· What is the roadmap for future investment in geospatial intelligence in the UK?
10:00 am - 10:20 am
US DoD Keynote – Top Modernisation Priorities for US DoD-Wide Research, Engineering and Prototyping Now and for the Future
Dr Lisa Porter -
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (DUSD) (R&E),
US DoD
Dr Lisa Porter
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (DUSD) (R&E)US DoD
10:20 am - 11:00 am
Morning Networking Break and VIP Guided Tours
Leveraging Geospatial Intelligence to Transform Safety, Security and Defence
11:00 am - 11:20 am
Esri Innovation Keynote – Delivering Improved Location Intelligence through Organisational Transformation
Patty Mims -
Director of Global National Government,
Esri
11:20 am - 11:50 am
Canada Keynote Address – Operationalising RADARSAT and How it Will Strengthen Canadian National Geospatial Intelligence Capacity in the Future
Colonel Orest Babij -
Commander,
Canadian Forces Intelligence Group
Colonel Cameron Stoltz -
Director, Space Requirements Director,
Canadian Armed Forces
· Programme background: history of RADARSAT
· How are RADARSAT industry partners enabling faster progress
· How will RADARSAT contribute to greater intelligence capacity for Canada in the near term?
· How mission partners will benefit from RADARSAT too
11:50 am - 12:10 pm
HERE Innovation Keynote – The New Reality of Location Intelligence
Bart Sweerman -
VP Industry Solutions,
HERE Technologies
· How is the vision of location and guidance realized by HERE?
· Moving from 2D to 4D: what to expect from future digital mapping
· How lessons learned from transforming global data for truck routing can be applied in military environments
· How to leverage terrestrial LiDAR for Situational Awareness, roads and bridge assessments
12:10 pm - 1:00 pm
Leadership Discussion with Live Polling – Exploring New Risks and Opportunities as the Future of Strategic Military Space Continues to Evolve
Colonel Orest Babij -
Commander,
Canadian Forces Intelligence Group
Lt Colonel Aaron Mikkelsen -
Director, GEOINT,
New Zealand Defence Forces
Dan Petrovich -
Technical Director, Space Systems,
Raytheon
Brigadier Chris Middleton -
Commander,
National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence
Dave Hoerner -
Mission Manager for Space and Chief, SPACECOM Support Team,
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Dave Hoerner
Mission Manager for Space and Chief, SPACECOM Support TeamNational Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Networking Lunch Break and VIP Guided Tours
1:00 pm - 1:50 pm
Women in Intelligence Lunch
Ingrid Vanden Berghe -
Director,
NGI (National Mapping Agency of Belgium)
TRACKS
Room - Westbourne 4
Track A - Innovation in Imagery Exploitation and Analysis
2:00 pm - 2:20 pm Practitioner Case Study – How the UK Will Procure the Next Generation of Picasso to Continuously Improve National Geospatial Intelligence Capability Captain Derek Swannick - PICASSO Programme Director, Imagery and Geospatial Systems (IMaGE) Team, Intelligence Systems, Defence Digital Service Delivery & Operations, UK STRATCOM
Captain Derek Swannick
PICASSO Programme Director, Imagery and Geospatial Systems (IMaGE) Team, Intelligence Systems, Defence Digital Service Delivery & OperationsUK STRATCOM
Track A - Innovation in Imagery Exploitation and Analysis
2:20 pm - 2:40 pm Innovation Case Study – Enhancing Global Monitoring with the BlackSky Satellite Constellation Andrew Hanna - VP, International Sales, BlackSky Global
Track A - Innovation in Imagery Exploitation and Analysis
2:40 pm - 3:20 pm Panel Discussion with Live Polling – How Can You Leverage Imagery as a Service to Improve Decision Making in the Full Spectrum of Missions? Robert Boettcher - Chief Geomatics Officer, Canadian Forces Warfare Centre Captain Derek Swannick - PICASSO Programme Director, Imagery and Geospatial Systems (IMaGE) Team, Intelligence Systems, Defence Digital Service Delivery & Operations, UK STRATCOM Ryan Lewis - General Manager, SpaceNet Barry Macdonald - Managing Director, Hyperion Consulting Services Incorporated
Captain Derek Swannick
PICASSO Programme Director, Imagery and Geospatial Systems (IMaGE) Team, Intelligence Systems, Defence Digital Service Delivery & OperationsUK STRATCOM
Room - Westbourne 3
Track B - Advancing Remote Sensing and Space-Based Intelligence
2:00 pm - 2:20 pm Practitioner Case Study – Modern Applications of EO to Support Rule of Law in Areas Affected by Fragility, Conflict and Violence Dr Gordon Campbell - Head of Enterprise, Science, Applications and Climate Department, Directorate of EO Programmes, European Space Agency
Dr Gordon Campbell
Head of Enterprise, Science, Applications and Climate Department, Directorate of EO ProgrammesEuropean Space Agency
Track B - Advancing Remote Sensing and Space-Based Intelligence
2:20 pm - 2:40 pm Innovation Case Study – Disruptive Space Capabilities for Enduring Mission Success Iain MacInnes - Director, European Government, MAXARConfronted with pressing national security challenges, unmanageable data, and tight timelines; defense and intelligence organizations need a partner to adapt to their evolving GEOINT challenges. In this presentation you will have the opportunity to learn how we support the most progressive forces around the world and hear about capabilities and case studies that could positively benefit your organization:
- Upcoming state-of-the-art imaging constellation – and what it means to your organization
- Persistent change monitoring and surveillance leveraging optical and radar information
- Enhanced support for emergency response
- Enhanced Maritime Domain Awareness through space-based dark vessel detection and targeted optical imaging
- Cloud-enabled imagery exploitation and dissemination
- Integrated geospatial data, analysis and machine learning
Track B - Advancing Remote Sensing and Space-Based Intelligence
2:40 pm - 3:20 pm Panel Discussion with Live Polling – How Can You Leverage New Investments in Space Programmes and Gain Greater Access to Better Quality Imagery? Dave Hoerner - Mission Manager for Space and Chief, SPACECOM Support Team, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Dr Gordon Campbell - Head of Enterprise, Science, Applications and Climate Department, Directorate of EO Programmes, European Space Agency Melanie Clift - ESA and UK Account Director, ICEYE Neil Thompson - Former Head, Geospatial Intelligence Group
Dave Hoerner
Mission Manager for Space and Chief, SPACECOM Support TeamNational Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Dr Gordon Campbell
Head of Enterprise, Science, Applications and Climate Department, Directorate of EO ProgrammesEuropean Space Agency
Room - Westbourne 2
Track C - New Frontiers in Geospatial Data Management
2:00 pm - 2:20 pm Academic Case Study – Convenience vs Privacy: Are you Ready for the Future of Space-based Surveillance? Professor Jeff Moulton - Executive Director of the Stephenson National Center for Security Research and Training, Louisiana State University
Professor Jeff Moulton
Executive Director of the Stephenson National Center for Security Research and TrainingLouisiana State University
Track C - New Frontiers in Geospatial Data Management
2:20 pm - 2:40 pm Innovation Case Study – Making Trusted GEOINT Possible with Modern Data Management Solutions John Delay - Senior Scientist, Strategy and Architecture, Geospatial Solutions, L3Harris
Track C - New Frontiers in Geospatial Data Management
2:40 pm - 3:20 pm Panel Discussion With Live Polling - How Far Should Analysts Be Involved In Quality Assurance And Quality Control Of Geospatial Data? Pete deLuca - Chief, IDG Division, NGA Support Team to USEUCOM Bret Rodgers - Subject Matter Expert, Human Geography, Geospatial Intelligence Division, Marine Corps Intelligence Activity Dr. Owen Jackson - Deputy Director – Geospatial Commission, Head of Science and Engineering Profession, Cabinet Office Don Maruta - 3 ISR Squadron, UK Royal Air Force
Bret Rodgers
Subject Matter Expert, Human Geography, Geospatial Intelligence DivisionMarine Corps Intelligence Activity
Dr. Owen Jackson
Deputy Director – Geospatial Commission, Head of Science and Engineering ProfessionCabinet Office
Room - Westbourne 1
Track D - Transforming Training and Tradecraft
2:00 pm - 2:20 pm Academic Case Study – Moving from the Predictive to the Prescriptive: How will Analysts Generate Geospatial Intelligence in the Future? Professor Todd Bacastow - Professor of Practice for Geospatial Intelligence, Penn State University
Professor Todd Bacastow
Professor of Practice for Geospatial IntelligencePenn State University
Track D - Transforming Training and Tradecraft
2:20 pm - 2:40 pm Practitioner Case Study – How to Adapt Training to Suit Evolving and High Pressure Mission Demands on Analysts Maj Paul Hurst - Senior Instructor, Geospatial Information Management Wing at the Defence School of Geospatial Intelligence
Maj Paul Hurst
Senior InstructorGeospatial Information Management Wing at the Defence School of Geospatial Intelligence
Track D - Transforming Training and Tradecraft
2:40 pm - 3:20 pm Panel Discussion with Live Polling - How Can You Attract and Retain Data Scientists when Commercial and Defence Organisations are All Competing for the Same Talent? Colonel (ret’d) Steven Fleming - Professor of Practice, Spatial Sciences, Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California Maj Paul Hurst - Senior Instructor, Geospatial Information Management Wing at the Defence School of Geospatial Intelligence John Knight - Former Principal, Royal School of Military Survey
Colonel (ret’d) Steven Fleming
Professor of Practice, Spatial Sciences, Spatial Sciences InstituteUniversity of Southern California
Maj Paul Hurst
Senior InstructorGeospatial Information Management Wing at the Defence School of Geospatial Intelligence
John Knight
Former PrincipalRoyal School of Military Survey
Room – Oak 3
Track E - Synergy Workshops
2:00 pm - 3:05 pm WORKSHOP: Leading Organisation Transformation to Deliver Improved Location Intelligence Patty Mims - Director of Global National Government, Esri Tony Wilby - Director, European National Government Team, Esri
3:20 pm - 3:50 pm
Afternoon Coffee Break
TRACKS
Track A - Innovation in Imagery Exploitation and Analysis
3:50 pm - 4:10 pm Innovation Case Study – How to Enhance Maritime Situational Awareness From Space John Serafini - Chief Executive Officer, Hawkeye360
Track A - Innovation in Imagery Exploitation and Analysis
4:10 pm - 4:50 pm Panel Discussion with Live Polling – How can Microsatellites Help You Gain More Persistent Surveillance Capabilities? Major Denise Sweet - Deputy Commanding Officer Mapping and Charting Establishment, Commander Canadian Forces Intelligence Group , Canadian Armed Forces Dave Hoerner - Mission Manager for Space and Chief, SPACECOM Support Team, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Dan Pomirleanu - Deputy Chief for Geospatial Information, Defence Information Agency MoD Romania Barry Macdonald - Managing Director, Hyperion Consulting Services Incorporated
Major Denise Sweet
Deputy Commanding Officer Mapping and Charting EstablishmentCommander Canadian Forces Intelligence Group , Canadian Armed Forces
Dave Hoerner
Mission Manager for Space and Chief, SPACECOM Support TeamNational Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Dan Pomirleanu
Deputy Chief for Geospatial InformationDefence Information Agency MoD Romania
Track B - Advancing Remote Sensing and Space-Based Intelligence
3:50 pm - 4:10 pm Innovation Case Study – How to Leverage the Benefits of Real-Time Space Based Radar in Future Missions Joerg Herrmann - Senior VP Special Projects, Capella Space CorpThe demand for the time-critical collection of satellite imagery in support of situational awareness or persistent surveillance missions is increasing dramatically. Using the latest small satellite technology, Capella Space’s full constellation will provide 50 cm imagery anywhere on the planet within 90 minutes from the tasking request at any time, day or night. This is made possible through real time satellite communications and control via Inmarsat and a fully autonomous API based user interface. The presentation will give an insight into the timescale for rolling out this capability and will describe the various opportunities for customers to carry out early evaluations of image quality.
Key areas covered include:
- Examples of the end to end tasking process and its integration into existing systems
- Use cases for change detection using high refresh (hourly) imagery
- Image interpretation quality assessments
Track B - Advancing Remote Sensing and Space-Based Intelligence
4:10 pm - 4:50 pm Panel Discussion with Live Polling – Which Advances in Sensors and Space Technologies will Have the Biggest Impact on Your Future Missions? David Crawley - 3 ISR Squadron, UK Royal Air Force Dave Gauthier - Director of Source Commercial and Business Operations, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Chad Kabatoff - ISR Program Manager, Canadian DnD Captain Jatin S Bains - Chief Executive Officer, Space-Eyes Neil Thompson - Former Head, Geospatial Intelligence Group
Dave Gauthier
Director of Source Commercial and Business OperationsNational Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Chad Kabatoff
ISR Program ManagerCanadian DnD
Track C - New Frontiers in Geospatial Data Management
3:50 pm - 4:10 pm Practitioner Case Study – How to Improve Access to Quality-Assured, Authoritative Geospatial Data for Analysis in High Pressure Missions? Pete deLuca - Chief, IDG Division, NGA Support Team to USEUCOMTrack C - New Frontiers in Geospatial Data Management
4:10 pm - 4:50 pm Panel Discussion with Live Polling – How can You Rapidly Integrate Data Services to Deliver Superior Access and Exchange of Geospatial Data in any Mission? Jim Hill - Research Engineer, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corps of Engineers A.J. De Rosa - Chief Revenue Officer, Orbital Insight Mekisha Marshall - Chief Science and Technology Advisor, National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office Sgt David Stunell - Lead, Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED), SAR and MTI, 2 ISR Squadron, UK Royal Air Force
Jim Hill
Research EngineerEngineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corps of Engineers
Mekisha Marshall
Chief Science and Technology AdvisorNational Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office
Sgt David Stunell
Lead, Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED), SAR and MTI, 2 ISR SquadronUK Royal Air Force
Track D - Transforming Training and Tradecraft
3:50 pm - 4:10 pm Academic Case Study – Developing GEOINT Education and Training programs for the Future GEOINT Workforce Colonel (ret’d) Steven Fleming - Professor of Practice, Spatial Sciences, Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California
Colonel (ret’d) Steven Fleming
Professor of Practice, Spatial Sciences, Spatial Sciences InstituteUniversity of Southern California
Track D - Transforming Training and Tradecraft
4:10 pm - 4:50 pm Live Interview with Audience Q&A – What Can Military Geospatial Intelligence Leaders Learn from the Gaming Sector? Jim Dolan - Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Illuminate Colonel David Pendall - US Army INSCOM Commander, European Cryptologic Center Former Senior Intelligence Officer, US Army Europe
Track E - Synergy Workshops
3:50 pm - 4:50 pm Workshop: GEOINT at the Edge and Beyond- Smart Data Prep for Users in Disconnected Environments Luis P. Flynn - Director - NS2 Solutions Strategy, SAP NS2
4:50 pm - 5:10 pm
Afternoon Networking Break
5:10 pm - 5:40 pm
Guest Keynote Interview – Vital Trends that Will Reshape Climate, Geography, Security and Defence by 2030
Dr Chris Tucker -
Author and Chairman,
American Geographic Society
Al Di Leonardo -
Co-Ceo,
Black Cape
· What connects climate change, geography and defence and security?
· How to reorganise so you are ready to succeed in future missions
· How is population expansion impacting modern military operations?
· What can you do to collaborate and partner to overcome these challenges?
5:40 pm - 6:20 pm
Dragon’s Den with Chilled Refreshments – Which New Geo Technologies will be the Next Big Game Changers for Geospatial Intelligence?
Colonel (Retd) John Kedar -
Geospatial Strategy Advisor,
FRGS Geospatial Strategy Advisor
Mark Munsell -
Deputy Director, Chief Information Officer - IT Services,
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
Jim Hill -
Research Engineer,
Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corps of Engineers
Nigel Clifford -
Deputy Chair,
UK Geospatial Commission
Interviewing 4 Exciting New Geospatial Technology Start Ups:
UP42, WatchKeeperInternational, Edgybees and Satellite Vu
Mark Munsell
Deputy Director, Chief Information Officer - IT ServicesNational Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
Jim Hill
Research EngineerEngineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corps of Engineers
