On May 6, 2026, the GEOSummit took place at the FHNW in Olten—the most important industry gathering in the Swiss geoinformation sector. Three thematic blocks were organized entirely by SOGI specialist groups, and another was co-organized. As a result, SOGI and its Technology, Digital Twin, and International specialist groups played a defining role in the program—clear evidence of how the SOGI network pools knowledge and shares it with the community.
“GIS Trends – New Technological Impulses”: The Trend Radar as an Industry Compass
The session organized by the Technology Section and moderated by Markus Schenardi focused entirely on current developments that are significantly transforming the industry. The section used the GEOSummit to launch version 3.0 of the GIS Trend Radar [gistrends.ch](https://gistrends.ch)—which had gone live just the night before. New features include a time slider and a graphical visualization of changes over time. The platform covers topics such as generative AI, the Model Context Protocol (MCP) for collaboration between AI and geodata services, and cloud computing patterns in geoinformation.
Two key technologies were explored in depth. PIX4D presented Gaussian Splatting as a fundamental shift in 3D visualization—not only photorealistic, but also implemented with the geometric accuracy required for surveying and inspection. The speed at which research is being translated into practical tools is impressive; however, a standardized format for Gaussian Splatting has yet to be established. In the second in-depth presentation, SOGI member Quarticle demonstrated how GeoServer infrastructures can be operated automatically using a custom-developed Kubernetes operator. In combination with Helm, ArgoCD, and Vault, this creates a declarative framework for reproducible Web GIS deployment—the tedious manual configuration is increasingly being handled by automation and AI agents.
“Greater Value Creation Thanks to a Robust Enterprise GIS”: In Close Collaboration with the Gold Partners
This session was organized by the Technology Working Group in collaboration with Camptocamp, Esri, Hexagon, and VertiGIS. SOGI Co-President Zilmil Bordoloi opened the session with a keynote presentation on how geoinformation, as a central IT component, generates strategic value for a company. Following this, the four participating Gold Partners presented, from their respective perspectives, the key components that define a robust enterprise GIS today—ranging from architecture and data integration to scalability and governance. This format exemplifies the bridging role that SOGI plays between its professional community and the industry’s leading providers.
“Acting Responsibly with Geodata and Processes”: Sovereignty, Open Source, and Professional Ethics
Co-organized by the International Specialist Group and Gold Partner opengis.ch, the session covered a wide range of topics from digital sovereignty and open-source software to the fundamental ethical questions surrounding AI.
Patrick König introduced the AV QGIS association, founded in May 2025, which, with 61 members and three cantonal geodata associations, represents approximately 700 full-time positions in official surveying. The goal is an open-source plugin for QGIS as a specialized module for official surveying. Two proposals are currently being evaluated; a decision on implementation will be made at the general meeting on July 8—with the necessary funding being a critical factor. Using the example of GeoGirafe, a web client based on W3C Web Components and the successor to GeoMapFish, Guillaume Remy demonstrated how open source can be reconciled with the realities of the public sector: transparency, no vendor lock-in, three clearly defined partners, and minimal dependencies. This ensures control over one’s own product and builds trust among those investing in its development. The event concluded with a presentation by Bruce McCormack, introduced by SOGI Co-President Maurice Barbieri, on moral, ethical, and legal issues surrounding AI in Europe. His core message: AI, geoinformation, and professional ethics are now inextricably intertwined—both morally and legally. His proposal to the industry: an updated Professional Code of Practice that meets the demands of the AI era.
“Digital Twins – More Than Just 3D Data”: From Model to Living System
The session, curated by the Digital Twin Expert Group and moderated by Jürg Lüthy, featured five real-world examples and showcased the full range of what the term “digital twin” encompasses today.
Frank Markus presented the approach taken by the city of Schwabach, which has integrated its cross-departmental data into a single platform (CDE), thereby increasing efficiency and transparency in its administration. Lynn Bolliger used the City of Zurich’s “Strassenlärm 4D” to demonstrate how points on the walls of the 3D building model visualize where the limits of the Noise Protection Ordinance are met—and how measures such as 30 km/h speed limits or low-noise pavement can be simulated in various scenarios. Sabrina Contratto broadened the perspective: Digital twins are “more than just smart” when they enable holistic thinking in urban planning—from analysis and communication to participation and implementation. Andrea Keller presented a specialized twin for traffic planning that replaces models—which are often updated manually and belatedly today—with a pipeline comprising data collection, AI-supported simulation, and an integrated platform. Giuseppe Acciardi concluded the session with a discussion of the lifecycle management of all federal buildings via an integrated CDE—from the preliminary study to demolition, with a focus on the critical phase of operation and maintenance.
The range of approaches was remarkable: from real-time traffic analysis in 2D to 3D urban planning spanning a hundred-year timeframe—all fall under the term “digital twin,” and all entail different requirements for data, models, and governance.
Encounters, Break-Time Conversations, and the Exhibition
What makes the GEOSummit special cannot be measured solely by what happens in the lecture hall. The program deliberately provided ample space for personal exchange—during lunch, in the breaks between sessions, and at the closing farewell reception. It is these encounters that translate professional insights into concrete projects and keep the network alive.
The GEOSummit exhibition featured 19 companies and institutions. Five of the six GEOSummit Gold Partners—Camptocamp, Esri Switzerland, Mensch und Maschine, Octave, and OPENGIS.ch—had booths at the event, along with Quarticle, a SOGI member that had already made a significant impact during the conference program. The mix of established providers, universities, and specialized SMEs clearly reflected the breadth of today’s Swiss geoinformation landscape.
Four thematic blocks, three participating specialist groups, and an impressive range of concrete projects—the GEOSummit once again demonstrated just how central the specialist groups are to SOGI. They pool the knowledge and commitment of their members and visibly bring it to the industry. Anyone interested in getting involved in a specialist group can find an overview here.
