Our 2025 events calendar drew to a close with three Ordnance Survey Government and Public Sector Geospatial events. These gave Andrew and Darren, two of our Account Managers, and Mike, our MD, plenty of opportunities to catch up with clients and talk to organisations interested in moving to open source geospatial technologies. It also, unfortunately, provided some opportunities for the best laid plans to go more than a little awry…
London (Darren and Mike)
It was great to see so many suppliers turn out to support the OS at this launch event at Central Hall in Westminster. However, with space at a premium, we may have caused a little congestion from time to time as people stopped by to have a chat with us. Apologies to anyone caught up in a mini Astun jam.
Darren’s highlight: This was my first event for Astun so I didn’t really know what to expect. I was pleased to find that the exhibitors were a friendly bunch who all seemed to know each other from past events. Meeting customers in person was a pleasant experience without the normal formality of an agenda.
Edinburgh (Darren and Andy)
This event was held at Dynamic Earth, a fantastic, modern venue with a beautiful backdrop which really added to the atmosphere.
Having begun mastering the art of smiling at ‘strangers’ in London, Darren was in his element. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for our giveaway, monitor and pull-up banners which were respectively a little squished, uncooperative and missing in action. All of which were omens for what was yet to come. Fortunately, the venue staff were as helpful as the venue was attractive, and they lent us a screen so we could display our competition QR code.
Unlike London, the Edinburgh location offered a spacious central meeting area, carefully positioned close to refreshments. Andy comments, “It felt like a community meeting with plenty of familiar faces from the Scottish GIS scene, all enthusiastic about location data’s increasing criticality in areas like property and infrastructure planning. There was a sense of a shared mission in the conversation at breaks. Lots of public sector delegates were actively seeking new ways to take advantage of the available technology. As a supplier, the conversations felt practical, less about theoretical innovation and more about immediate application.”
Darren’s highlight: Being in a new place and meeting new people, plus some familiar faces from the Astun User Group.
Andy’s highlight: The focused, forward-looking vibe.
Darren’s lowlight: Train woes on the return journey leading to an unexpected night in a hotel in York (without so much as a full English breakfast to soften the blow).
Andy’s lowlight: Spending the early hours of the morning with sleepy strangers in a taxi in a brave mission to make it home before daybreak.
Cardiff (Mike and Andy)
The last event in the series saw Mike and Andy travel to Glamorgan Cricket Club for our second fixture of 2025, having been there in October for AGI Cymru.
In keeping with the other OS events, the vibe was friendly, informal and informative. Andy comments, “Cardiff offered a relaxed atmosphere and a great opportunity to meet new people and catch up with old friends.” Some in-depth conversations were enjoyed, including ones with local authorities from England who’d taken the opportunity to pop over the border rather than travel to London or Edinburgh (they knew something we clearly didn’t)!
Andy’s highlight: Not spending the early hours in a taxi. Instead, he had a one hour drive home with an audiobook* on the stereo and a smile on his face.
Mike’s highlight: Meeting familiar faces and liberating a couple of OS umbrellas to give to staff at our Xmas do.
Andy’s lowlight: A distinct lack of honey and mustard sausages, as recommended by one of our Welsh customers.
Mike’s lowlight: Apparently standing Mike, a GEO100 winner, next to a giant Lindt golden ball led to a lot of ribbing from other exhibitors.
Aside from our staff meet-up, we’ve now closed off our events calendar for 2025. However, we’ve already signed up for GeoPlace 2026. We hope to see you there!
* Should you be open to recommendations, Andy’s choice was ’Children of Time’ by Adrian Tchaikovsky.