News in 2024
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FIG Working Week 2025 will be held in the vibrant and pulsating energy of the city Brisbane in Australia. During three warm January days, the local organisers met with FIG President Diane Dumashie and Director Louise Friis-Hansen in Brisbane for a site visit to the venue, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), and to discuss the preparations for this Working Week 2024
The dates for the conference are finally settled to: 6-10 April 2025 - so mark your calendar already now to secure your attendance on these days. The three conference days will be 7-9 April
A national organising committee as well as a local organising committee consisting of surveyors living in and around Brisbane have been established. Convenor and Co-Conference Director is Steve Jacoby PSM, Deputy Director-General, at hte Department of Lands, Queensland Government. The local organising team is led by Peter James; some may recall his father Earl James who has written a FIG publication about his active time in FIG "FIG and Me - My Twenty Five Years in the International Surveying Arena".
The local organising committees are diligently preparing an extraordinary experience for both national and international attendees. A strong involvement over the years from Geospatial Council of Australia ensures a large and active local organising committe with many already well-known faces in FIG. The national yearly event will be held combined with the FIG Working Week and the conference days will be merged to consist of exciting national and international technical sessions.
Brisbane is a friendly and accommodating city. It is the third most populous city in Australia, however the city centre is easy accessible and easy to get around. Most activities during the FIG Working Week 2025 will be held in the city centre which means that all will be in walking distance.
Nestled along the scenic Brisbane River, the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in South Bank sets the stage for an unforgettable experience. With the city's welcoming ambiance and easy accessibility, attendees can seamlessly explore Brisbane's treasures, including its vibrant city centre and cultural landmarks. There are hotels and restaurants available on the South Bank close to the venue, and the city centre is just across the bridge. A new walking bridge is being built which should be finalised before the conference starts, making an easy access between the city centre placed north of the river and the South Bank. Many hotels are located in the city centre in walking distance from BCEC
The conference centre BCEC and the City of Brisbane work closely together to ensure that the city will be involved in the programme of the conference, the topics that FIG is covering. This will give exciting possibilities for special activities together with the city.
The conference centre enables a vibrant atmosphere for the Working Week. Its central location is optimal for FIG and with good possibilities to get out into the city to explore e.g. the Surveying and Mapping Museum, University areas and the city itself. The venue is well suited for a inclusive exhibition with creative ideas.
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 "City view from South Bank  Look at the South Bank and conference centre from the North/city centre side |
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FIG President Diane Dumashie discussed special topics for the Working Week with the local representatives. The overall theme "Collaboration, Innovation and Resilience: Championing a Digital Generation" - a theme that covers and can include many current and relevant topics. The call for papers will be publlished in the coming months.
Already now, unique technical tours are being drafted. A mixture of full- and half day tours will give a special insight into Brisbane and Queensland and their challenges and solutions.
Many constructions have begun in Brisbane due to the upcoming Summer Olympics that will take place in 2032. Several interesting topics will be around the preparations and construction of such a large event and its impact on a city and region.
As a good start of the conference various pre-events are beeing organised among other things a Young Surveyors meeting and conference.
The site visit included several visits apart from the Conference Centre. There was a visit to the city hall of Brisbane, the Cube which is part of the Technical University Brisbane with exciting hands-on gigantic screens, and technological equipment that could take away the breath from almost anyone, and to Williams 1, the Government Building where a meeting took place at 41st level with Convenor and Co-conference director Steve Jacoby.
Soon the conference web site will be updated with more information (www.fig.net/fig2025) . There will be a special presentation during the FIG Working Week 2024 and General Assembly and representatives will be attending for questions and ideas.
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The impressive intgeractive screens at The Cube
The local organisers and FIG are aware of the difficulties getting a visa to Australia. Authorities have been consulted and FIG and the local organisers are working on possibilities to help and guide the visa process. We do hope that it will be possible to get a visa although we know that this is difficult, but we are trying all we can to prepare as much as possible and help along.
A heartfelt thanks to the dedicated local organisers - both those who had travelled from near and far to attend the meetings in person and to those who attended online for your unwavering committment. It was wonderful to feel the spirit, see the city and experience the eager to organise this event. Whether near or far, your enthusiasm fuels our collective spirit.
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Louise Friis-Hansen
February 2024
