A one-day event highlighting the strategic importance of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT), promoting interoperability and data sharing, and showcasing AI and emerging technologies for defense. Experts will address evolving threats and challenges, facilitate networking and knowledge exchange, and set the stage for future initiatives. The event will bring together leadership, practitioners, and experts to explore GEOINT use-cases, tradecraft best practices, and the latest technological developments. Please see agenda and additional information below.

*Registration is subject to availability and capacity. Please request an invitation to indicate interest in attending.

Thank you to our Sponsors: 

Agenda

0900–0910 | Opening and Security Briefing 

• Giuseppe (Pino) Nobile, Head of Geo & Space Services Section, NATO 

0910–0920 | NATO Welcome Address 

• H.E. Mark Rutte, Secretary General, NATO (invited) 

0920–0940 | Charge for the Day 

• The Hon. Scott Bray, Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence & Security, NATO 

0940–1000 | USGIF CEO Welcome and Strategic Overview 

• Ronda Schrenk, CEO, USGIF 

1000–1015 | GEOINT at the Strategic Crossroads: A Vision for the Future 

• Air Cdre Adam Bone, Commander, National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (UK) 

1015–1115 | Panel 1: GEOINT—The Connective Tissue for NATO Interoperability in a Dynamic Threat Environment 

Moderator: Shawn Stith, Chair, Advisory Committee on GEOINT and IMINT (NACGI), NATO

Panelists: 

• Col. Leszek Paszkowski, Head of Geospatial Intelligence & Satellite Services Agency (ARGUS) (Poland) (invited) 

• Mr. Peter Muend, NRO Director of Commercial Systems Program Office (CSPO) 

• Lt Colonel Travis J. “TJ” Kelley, Commanding Officer, Mapping and Charting Establishment, Canadian Armed Forces 

1115–1130 | Break 

1130–1200 | Keynote: Battlefield GEOINT and the Future Fight 

• Brig Gen David Andreassen, SHAPE ACoS J2, Director of Intelligence  

1200–1245 | Panel 2: Enabling Interoperability Across NATO GEOINT Programs 

Moderator: Giuseppe (Pino) Nobile, Head of Geo & Space Services Section, NATO 

 Panelists: 

• Col Matteo Molari, Deputy Commander, NATO ISR Force 

• Col Ty Gilbert, Director, NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre 

• Richard Laing, APSS Program Lead 

• Marco Criscuolo, Director for Strategy and Policy, Cyber and Digital Transformation Division, NATO 

 1245–1345 | Networking Lunch 

1345–1445 | Panel 3: Breaking the Myth of a Common Operating Picture—Common Access, Context, and Collaboration 

 Moderator: Trista Neinast, Senior Liaison to NATO Headquarters, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) 

 Panelists: 

• Patty Mims, Managing Director of Global National Government, Esri 

• Col. Stefan Klausen, Bundeswehr GEOINT Division (invited) 

• Tim Roots, Chief Product Officer, Seerist 

• Dr. Jason Knowles, CEO and Founder, GeoAcuity  

1445–1500 | Break 

1500–1600 | Panel 4: AI and Automation Across the GEOINT Enterprise—Balancing Innovation, Trust, and Interoperability 

 Moderator: Ronda Schrenk, CEO, USGIF 

 Panelists: 

• Francois Bourrier Soifer, Deputy CEO, Safran.AI  

• Adam Estrada, Senior Vice President of Technology, GRVTY  

• Jacek Strzelczyk, CEO, SATIM, Inc. 

• Brett Clark, Global Director, GEOINT, Blackshark.ai  

• Sean Batir, Principal Tech Lead for Emerging Tech, Amazon Web Services (invited) 

 1600–1615 | Closing Remarks and Way Ahead 

• Ronda Schrenk, CEO, USGIF 

• Giuseppe (Pino) Nobile, Head of Geo & Space Services Section, NATO
  

(Note: Agenda is subject to change)

Additional Information

A welcome package with more detailed information will be provided to all registered attendees. 

Dress Code

All attendees are kindly requested to follow a formal dress-code. Military personnel are free to decide between the uniform and business attire.

Accommodation

For an overnight stay, we can recommend:

• Courtyard by Marriott at Olympiadenlaan 6, 1140 Evere;
• Holiday Inn Brussels Airport at Holidaystraat 7, 1831 Brussels;
• Park Inn by Radisson Brussels Airport at Grensstraat 3, 1831 Brussels; or
• DoubleTree by Hilton Brussels City at Ginestestraat 3, 1210 Brussels.

Transportation

Arrive at the South Guardhouse of NATO HQ at: Visitor Centre, Leopold III laan, 1130 Brussel. You can reach this by tram, bus, foot, taxi, or car:

• By tram: Line 62 – ‘Bourget’ stop (directly in front of the HQ);
• By bus: MIVB/STIB line 12 or De Lijn line R26 – ‘Haren Bourget’ stop;
• By taxi: Ask to be dropped of at the taxi halt ‘Bourget’; or
• By car: Parking for visitors available on the right, past the initial gate; should this be full, guards will direct you to alternative parking.

Meals

Two coffee breaks will be provided, one before lunch and one after. Lunch is not included; participants may choose from a range of nearby options. Drinks and appetizers will be served during the networking session following the event.

Fees & Sponsorship

‘Spatial Edge: USGIF Day at NATO’ is free of charge, made possible by the generous support of the event’s sponsors, namely: Raytheon, AWS, ECS, Esri, NIANTIC SPATIAL, and Unseenlabs.

Contact Information

For any questions or special requests, please contact the NATO HQ Geo Events Team at geo-events@hq.nato.int or the USGIF at events@usgif.org.