Symposium 2026 Call For Speakers

Why Participate?

We invite USGIF members of the GEOINT community—professionals, researchers, and practitioners—to submit proposals aligned with one of this year’s core programming tracks:

GeoAI – Spotlighting current innovations and future opportunities in artificial intelligence and machine learning applied to geospatial data.
GEOINT Data at Speed – Highlighting methods, technologies, and innovations for real-time data acquisition, processing, and actionable insight.
Scaling AI – Exploring how leaders are scaling AI for GEOINT from prototypes to enterprise-wide, resilient, and interoperable systems.

If you wish to propose a keynote or marquee-level panel presentation, please indicate this in your submission. Submissions with strong, confirmed speakers are given priority during the review period. Please indicate in your submission if speakers are confirmed or tentative. Selected submissions will receive a complimentary Exhibit Hall pass.

Track Overview

The GEOINT Symposium Tracks, hosted in the Exhibit Hall, are a central forum for attendees to explore the ideas, technologies, and practices in the geospatial intelligence community.

Track sessions may take the form of keynotes, panels, or fireside chats—offering a variety of formats for speakers to share their perspectives. We expect speakers to not only share success stories but also challenges and opportunities for growth in the field. Attendees benefit from hearing practical experiences and mission-focused ideas that they can take with them to their companies and organizations.

GEOINT Data at Speed

The GEOINT community is collecting and producing more data than ever before. This track discusses how to acquire, process, analyze, and deliver GEOINT at mission speed to decision-makers and operators.

Possible session topics include:

Accelerating the data-to-decision timeline in company operations

Cloud-native GEOINT workflows and real-time data integration

Advances in tasking, collection, and dissemination

Mission use cases where data speed made the difference

Technical demonstrations of tools or architectures that reduce latency

GeoAI

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming GEOINT analysis and operations. This track highlights practical applications of AI/ML in GEOINT, from automating workflows to enabling entirely new tradecraft.

Possible session topics include:

Mission-focused applications of AI/ML in imagery, full-motion video, or geospatial data

Human-AI teaming in GEOINT workflows

Responsible, ethical, and explainable use of AI in operational settings

Research transitioning into applied GEOINT capabilities

Lessons learned from deploying AI/ML solutions in real-world contexts

Scaling AI

AI for GEOINT requires scaling from prototypes to enterprise-wide, resilient, and interoperable systems that deliver decision advantage at speed and scale. This track highlights the architectures, governance, and mission integration needed to operationalize AI.

Possible session topics include:

Case studies on moving from prototypes to production systems
Cloud-native and federated model architectures
Governance, transparency, and trust in AI-enabled GEOINT
Strategies for mission integration and operational adoption
Practitioner insights on scaling resilient, interoperable AI systems

Process

Your submission will be reviewed by a selection committee, an independent panel of experts from government, industry, and academia within the GEOINT community.

All submitters and proposed participants will be notified via email in December 2025 on the status of their submissions.

Please note only online submissions will be accepted. Do not send applications by paper or email.

Step-by-Step

Step 1: Login/Create an Account

You will be asked to login to the Call for Speakers process for GEOINT 2026.

Step 2: Session Data

Provide session details as requested. Detailed definitions and instructions can be found in our Tips for Success section. Pay careful attention to character count limits. Please be sure the details of your session clearly articulate what your session will be about.

You need to select which Symposium Track you are submitting for – GeoAI, Scaling AI, or GEOINT Data at Speed. Sessions are prioritized based on their relevance to these Tracks. See the Track Overview page for more information.

Step 3: Speaker Information

If you are submitting your own session, please be sure to list yourself in this section. To add additional speakers, click “Add+” and include their information. If you are submitting on behalf of someone else, you must indicate who will serve as the presenter for the proposed topic.

You may also add a Secondary Contact for your submission. This person can assist with speaker tasks and communications.

Note: Participants will be notified they have been added to your session submission. Please be sure you have made them aware you are including them in your session so there are no surprises. Any session submitted without the knowledge of the participants is subject to disqualification.

Step 4: Session Information Review

Review and edit all information that you’re submitting for both the proposed session and the proposed participant(s). If you need to make changes, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click the ‘back’ button. You may also save the submission as a draft and come back to it later.

Step 5: Session Submission Complete

After you click ‘Complete’ at the bottom of the final page, you will receive an email notification that you have submitted your proposal. You may submit as many proposals as you would like before the deadline.

We recommend that you save your submission as a draft after each step. You can retrieve your submission and complete it or edit it at any time by logging back into the system. The submission must be completed online.

We strongly recommend that you first review our Tips for Success below before developing your session proposal. Detail and diversity are extremely important in helping the selection committee differentiate between the perspective and expertise of the many submissions they review.

Tips for Success

Select Your Topic Carefully

Consider the following:

Experience: Your direct involvement in a program, project, or operational challenge is invaluable. First-hand perspectives on lessons learned—both successes and setbacks—are especially compelling.
Timeliness: GEOINT evolves quickly. If your topic is already widely covered, consider a fresh angle or new perspective. Evergreen mission challenges remain important, but proposals tied to current and emerging priorities are more likely to spark interest.
Technical Level: Many attendees have 10+ years of experience in the GEOINT community. They value sessions that provide intermediate to advanced depth, whether technical demonstrations, tradecraft discussions, or operational case studies.
Actionability: Attendees want takeaways they can apply immediately to their work—whether one week, six weeks, or six months after the Symposium. What practical impact will your session deliver?
Perspective: We welcome a broad range of voices and viewpoints. Proposals that highlight unique perspectives based on your role, responsibilities, or lived experience enrich the conversation and strengthen the program.
Clarity: Ensure your title, abstract, and session details clearly communicate what attendees will gain. Creative titles are welcome, but don’t sacrifice clarity for cleverness.

Develop a Unique Approach

Many proposals cover similar themes. To differentiate your session:

Highlight specific examples, data, or case studies that make your perspective unique.

For panels, think creatively—consider formats such as debates or moderated discussions with diverse viewpoints. Panels that only provide high-level commentary often fall short; ensure your panel offers depth and substance equal to other formats.

Prepare Before Submitting

Every section of the submission form matters. Reviewers rely on the details you provide, and many sections have character limits (including spaces). Pay special attention to the Session Details section, which carries significant weight in the review process. We also ask you specify the speaker's confirmation status for their session.

Final Thoughts

Avoid overt marketing or product pitches. Instead, focus on mission relevance, practitioner insight, and technical or operational impact. Sessions that balance originality, depth, and applicability are the ones that resonate most with the GEOINT audience.

If your proposal is accepted, you will receive an email confirming you will speak at the GEOINT Symposium program. The email will include the topic, date, and time of your speaking appearance. Accepted submissions are expected to attend the GEOINT Symposium in-person, and submissions will receive a time allotted of 30-45 minutes to speak on stage.

Note: Please complete all required fields. Submitting a topic does not guarantee a speaking slot and you will be contacted should you be chosen to participate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I engage as a speaker if my submission is chosen?

Selected speakers are encouraged to connect with their session moderators and fellow presenters to coordinate content, timing, and interactive elements. This collaboration ensures your session is engaging, dynamic, and impactful, while also providing a valuable opportunity to connect with the GEOINT community and share your expertise with peers.

If you have not already done so, please upload your headshot and biography to the speaker portal. You will receive a virtual speaker card to promote your session on social media. Remember to tag USGIF and follow along other speaker’s post to engage online with the GEOINT community!

When does the GEOINT Symposium Call for Speakers open? When are submissions due?

When will I find out if I have been accepted?

What speaking opportunities are open? What are the different types of sessions?

Track sessions at the GEOINT Symposium are designed to foster meaningful conversations and the exchange of ideas across the GEOINT community. These sessions may take the form of keynotes, panels, or fireside chats and typically run 30–45 minutes, including time for audience Q&A. All presentation proposals submitted through the Call for Speakers process will be considered for inclusion in a track session.

Who is eligible to be a speaker?

How are speakers and sessions selected?

What resources does the GEOINT Symposium offer to speakers?

Tips and Best Practices – To give your proposal the best chance of success, be sure to explore our Tips page. There you’ll find helpful best practices, do’s and don’ts, and guidance on crafting a strong submission for the GEOINT Symposium.

Speaker Resources – All selected speakers will receive access to a dedicated speaker portal, designed to make your Symposium experience seamless and organized. Through the portal, you can submit all required materials—including your headshot, biography, presentation slides, session abstracts, and any supplemental documents. You can also review session details and receive important updates from the Symposium team, all in one convenient location. The portal is your central hub to ensure everything is ready for a smooth, successful session at the GEOINT Symposium.

External Committee Review – Every session is reviewed by the external committee, a group of GEOINT community experts who offer perspective and depth to the presenters to enhance their session materials.

How soon before the GEOINT Symposium can I submit presentation materials?

How do I increase my odds of getting selected?

The GEOINT Symposium receives far more submissions than available speaking slots, and the selection process is highly competitive. Proposals are evaluated on relevance, originality, and value to the GEOINT community, not on name recognition alone. USGIF makes a conscious effort to bring in new voices and perspectives each year to ensure the program reflects the breadth of the community. For advice on how to make your submission stand out, please check the Tips page. While we do have repeat presenters, these presenters do not have any seniority in getting accepted.

What are the main reasons sessions don’t get selected?

Incomplete submission. The most common reason submissions aren’t accepted is incomplete information. The Speaker Info and Session Details sections are the most important part of your submission, so make sure to list all speakers you expect to participate and let them know in advance about the possibility of presenting. Once sessions are selected, USGIF will notify all speakers about the status of their session.

Sales pitch. Reviewers can easily spot when a proposal is more of a marketing pitch than a substantive session. This often shows up as a catchy title and polished abstract, but vague session details and unclear presenter expertise. Remember, the Symposium is about sharing knowledge and advancing the GEOINT tradecraft—not selling. Proposals that read like sales presentations will not be considered.

Multiple submissions on the same topic. We receive multiple proposals on very similar topics. With a limited number of slots, the review committee must select the sessions and presenters that bring the most value. Submissions that stand out are those that offer unique perspectives, specific details, and concrete examples that differentiate them from others.

Who do I contact for support?