The European Association of Aerial Surveying Industries (EAASI) successfully concluded its sixth annual Partners Summit, held in Athens (Greece) from 19 to 22 November.
The event brought together 86 representatives from 24 countries and 50 companies at the forefront of geospatial technology.
Industry Collaboration and Growth
EAASI President Florian Romanowski emphasized the association's core mission during his opening address: "In an era of rapid technological transformation, our summit represents more than just an annual gathering. It is a strategic platform where innovation meets collaboration, where we collectively map out the future of crewed aerial surveying across Europe. By bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and emerging talents, we are not just sharing knowledge – we are actively shaping our future".
The summit marked a significant milestone in EAASI's growth, expanding its membership from 48 at the end of 2023 to 56 by the end of 2024. The association now represents more than 20 countries and commands a fleet of over 80 aircraft, covering approximately 80% of European aerial surveying capacity.
A landmark presentation by Alessandro Annoni, President of the International Society for Digital Earth, provided a forward-looking perspective on "Opportunity and Innovation in Aerial Surveying for a Connected Future." Annoni's discourse explored the emerging intersections between digital technologies and aerial mapping, underscoring the potential for more integrated and intelligent spatial data ecosystems.
Dr. Panos Lolonis, Head of the Geospatial Information Department of the Hellenic Cadastre, delivered a particularly insights-rich presentation on the current landscape of public geospatial data in Greece.
Technological Innovation and Real-World Applications
A highlight of the event was the sponsor presentations, which focused on concrete use cases demonstrating the transformative potential of geospatial technologies.
Key technology providers such as Hexagon, Teledyne, IGI, Esri, Phase One, Pointly, Vexcel, GeoLas, and RIEGL effectively illustrated how advanced sensing technologies, artificial intelligence, and sophisticated data processing techniques can provide actionable insights across various sectors, including environmental conservation, disaster response, and infrastructure development.
The focus on practical applications highlighted the industry's evolution from purely technological demonstrations to solution-oriented approaches.
Fostering the Next Generation of Geospatial Leaders
The summit placed significant emphasis on nurturing young talent. Quddus Busari was awarded the Outstanding Thesis Award for his research on AI-driven tree structure characterization.
EAASI Young Ambassadors Alice Hilton and Charlène Negrello shared inspiring perspectives on the future of aerial mapping and how the industry could attract more to the next generations.
Strategic Partnerships and Industry Dialogue
This year's summit created a dynamic platform for exploring complex industry challenges through focused debates and panel discussions. Participants delved into critical areas including standardization protocols, emerging certification frameworks, Air Traffic Management (ATM) complexities, and innovative business models. The conversations extended beyond technical specifications, addressing broader strategic considerations such as industry engagement with academic institutions and mechanisms for nurturing emerging talent.
The summit's interactive format deliberately breaks down traditional communication barriers, encouraging open exchanges that challenge existing paradigms and explore transformative potential. By bringing together diverse perspectives from national mapping agencies, technology providers, academic researchers, and industry practitioners, EAASI creates a unique ecosystem of knowledge exchange.
A notable panel discussion on value generation in aerial surveying, moderated by Simon Musäus, brought together experts like Dr. Uwe Bacher from Hexagon, Seppe Casettari from GeoHistoric and Bruno Pérez from the Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España to explore strategies for maximizing the commercial potential of crewed airborne surveys.
The summit also facilitated strategic networking, including a significant meeting between EAASI Secretary-General Marcos Martínez and Charalampos Paraschou, Commanding General of the Hellenic Military Geographical Service, underscoring the importance of collaboration between national mapping agencies and the aerial surveying industry.
Looking Forward: Strategic Roadmap for 2025
The 2024 EAASI Partners Summit has provided a comprehensive framework for future industry development. Recognizing the critical insights generated during these intensive discussions, the EAASI Board is committed to transforming dialogue into strategic action throughout 2025. This transformation, however, is not solely the responsibility of the board—it requires active, sustained engagement from every member organization.
By contributing expertise, sharing resources, and actively participating in the association's core work, member organizations can drive meaningful industry-wide innovation and address complex technological challenges.
EAASI Secretary-General Marcos Martínez emphasized this critical point: "Our strength lies in collective action. The insights generated at the summit can only become transformative when our members actively engage, contribute their unique perspectives, and commit to collaborative problem-solving. Our committees are the engines of innovation, and we need every member to be fully invested in their work."
The European Association of Aerial Surveying Industries (EAASI), established in 2019 as a unifying force for the European aerial surveying industry, has evolved into a dynamic coalition representing 56 companies. With a focus on fostering collaboration, advocating for industry interests, and promoting the importance of aerial surveying, EAASI continues to play a fundamental role in shaping the industry's future.
