— 5ᵗʰ Annual Suriname’s largest GIS conference
GISsat User Conference 2026
December 1st, 2026 | Royal Ballroom Torarica
GIS-Creating a more intelligent world
🟢 27 people already registered
This year’s theme: GIS-Creating a more intelligent world
This year's theme is:
GIS – Integrating Everything, Everywhere
Bringing Domains Together Through GIS
Special Interest Group
Attending a special interest group meeting (SIG) at the GISsat User Conference is the perfect way to connect in person with like-minded peers. These sessions are focused on discussions and sharing best practices with GIS professionals who work in the same industry or do similar workflows.
Showcase Expo Island
In the business showcase expo island, you will find demo kiosks with representatives from industries such as Natural Resources, Utility, Surveying, Environmental, Infrastructure and more.
TechExpo sessions
Attend Tech sessions on ArcGIS Experience Builder, ArcGIS Hub, and ArcGIS FlightPlan. Discover the latest tools and see how these technologies can elevate your geospatial projects. Don’t miss out on these must-attend demos!
Networking & Business Socializing
Connect with like-minded business professionals who are working in GIS within their business sector.
2026 Agenda - To be confirmed
The sessions below reflect last year's programme. The 2026 agenda is being finalised, check back soon for confirmed timings and speakers.
Agenda 2025
A full day of insights, demos, and connections. The detailed agenda will be completed and shared with you as we get closer to the event.
13:00 – 14:00 | Walk-in, Coffee & Tea
Arrive, settle in, and connect with fellow attendees.
14:00 – 16:30 | Opening & Part 1: Special Interest Group (SIG) Presentations
Keynotes open the conference, followed by SIG sessions connecting GIS professionals across industries.
16:30 – 17:00 | Coffee, Tea & Snack Break
Recharge and mingle with speakers and fellow GIS professionals.
17:00 – 18:00 | Part 2: Technical Presentation
Deep-dive sessions on ArcGIS Experience Builder, ArcGIS Hub, and ArcGIS FlightPlan.
18:00 – 18:30 | Panel Discussion & Q&A
Open forum with speakers and industry leaders.
18:30 – 19:30 | Tech Expo Focus
Visit all booths showcasing GIS work. All visitors are encouraged to explore each exhibitor.
19:30 – 21:00 | Networking & Closure
Wind down, exchange contacts, and celebrate Suriname’s vibrant GIS community.
Featured Speakers
Industry leaders sharing their vision on the future of GIS in Suriname and beyond.
Stef de Ridder
CEO at GISsat N.V.
Stef de Ridder has been a pioneer in Suriname's GIS industry for over 30 years. With a background in Engineering, Spatial Planning, and Land Surveying, he has dedicated his career to building the foundation of geospatial innovation in the region. Since his early work at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname in the 1990s, Stef has been instrumental in cultivating a vibrant GIS ecosystem.
Stef de Ridder
CEO at GISsat N.V.
In his keynote, “GIS – Driving Business in Suriname.”, Stef will explore how geospatial technology is evolving beyond mapping into intelligent systems that drive decision-making to grow our business and to boost national development.
Stef de Ridder
CEO at GISsat N.V.
Keynote
Ir. Stephen T.K.W. Tsang
Minister of Public Works and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Suriname
Minister Tsang leads the ministry that is, more than any other, a ministry of the map: roads, drainage, flood protection, building and subdivision permits, and spatial planning. In his keynote he will set out Suriname’s spatial-planning and infrastructure priorities and the role of shared, reliable spatial data in moving spatial planning from vision to execution. He will also formally receive the spatial results of the GeoGov Suriname initiative on behalf of the Government.
Patrick Loys Brunings
Minister of Public Works and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Suriname
Minister Patrick Brunings brings more than 30 years of experience in the international energy sector — exploration, production, risk and asset management and green-transition strategy — to one of Suriname’s most spatial portfolios: offshore and onshore development, environmental assessment, permitting, and oversight. In his keynote, Minister Brunings will share his environmental priorities for Suriname and the role of current, reliable, and shared spatial data in achieving them. He will also formally receive the environmental results of the GeoGov Suriname initiative on behalf of the Government.
Stef de Ridder
CEO at GISsat N.V.
In his keynote, “Creating a More Intelligent Suriname”, Stef takes this year’s theme home: what an intelligent country looks like when data is shared across government, utilities and business, when systems help us decide, not just map, and when a growing community of professionals puts that intelligence to work. Celebrating 5 years of the Suriname GIS User Conference and more than 25 years of serving Suriname’s GIS community, he sets the agenda for the years ahead.
Krieshen Ramkhelawan
Managing Director at GISsat N.V.
In his keynote, “GIS in a Flash: Highlights of Geospatial Innovation in Suriname”, Krieshen will showcase the latest developments shaping Suriname’s geospatial landscape and how these innovations empower both public and private organizations.
Pedro Henrique Ferreira Coura
Business Development Manager, Latin America – Esri
Pedro’s presentation on AI Features & Capabilities will showcase existing GeoAI implementations, as well as the assistants and agents currently in development at Esri.
Stay tuned for more details!
Sheetal Sujan
CEO & Co-Founder, Lybra Training, Coaching & Consulting
Sheetal Sujan is a business leader, speaker, trainer, and transformation specialist with a passion for helping organizations embrace innovation, optimize processes, and unlock their full potential through technology and people.
Tata Lacale
Head of LATAM & Canada - Syncspective
In his presentation, “Seeing Through the Clouds: High-Resolution SAR for Suriname”, Tata will show how Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites monitor land, rivers and infrastructure day and night, through cloud cover and rainforest canopy. Discover how high-resolution SAR data helps governments detect illegal mining and logging, track land-use change and monitor critical assets — turning satellite imagery into timely, actionable intelligence.
Clyde Griffith
Policy Advisor - Ministry of Natural Resources
In his keynote, “Reforming Suriname’s Mining Sector: The Road to DAS”, Clyde will share how the Suriname Competitiveness and Sector Diversification (SCSD) Project is reshaping mining governance — from the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) to the establishment of the Delfstoffen Autoriteit Suriname (DAS) — and why reliable spatial data on concessions and field activity is at the heart of a transparent, well-managed sector.
Speaker to be announced soon
FATUM
Lybra specializes in digital transformations by optimizing processes, developing tailored information systems enriched with Location Intelligence and integrated with ArcGIS platform components.
Ir. Stephen T.K.W. Tsang
Minister of Public Works and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Suriname
Minister Tsang leads the ministry that is, more than any other, a ministry of the map: roads, drainage, flood protection, building and subdivision permits, and spatial planning. In his keynote he will set out Suriname’s spatial-planning and infrastructure priorities and the role of shared, reliable spatial data in moving spatial planning from vision to execution. He will also formally receive the spatial results of the GeoGov Suriname initiative on behalf of the Government.
Patrick Loys Brunings
Minister of Public Works and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Suriname
Stay tuned for more details!
Speaker to be announced soon
IDB (Inter-American Development Bank)
Lybra specializes in digital transformations by optimizing processes, developing tailored information systems enriched with Location Intelligence and integrated with ArcGIS platform components.
Speaker to be announced soon
IDB (Inter-American Development Bank)
Lybra specializes in digital transformations by optimizing processes, developing tailored information systems enriched with Location Intelligence and integrated with ArcGIS platform components.
Speaker to be announced soon
IDB (Inter-American Development Bank)
Lybra specializes in digital transformations by optimizing processes, developing tailored information systems enriched with Location Intelligence and integrated with ArcGIS platform components.
Technical Session
A Joint presentation exploring the role of GIS and geospatial technology in digital transformation and better decision-making
Krieshen Ramkhelawan
Mark Djojodikromo
Donovan Bogor
In “GeoAI for Suriname’s Forest: From Satellite Imagery to Field Action”, Krieshen joins Mark Djojodikromo and Donovan Bogor of the National Environmental Authority (NMA) to show how geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI) is being leveraged to monitor Suriname’s forest. Discover how satellite imagery and AI-driven change detection flag environmental incidents causing loss and damage, track deforestation events, and help the responsible agencies protect the rainforest that covers more than 90% of Suriname, making it one of the most forested countries on earth.
Stef de Ridder
CEO at GISsat N.V.
In his keynote, “GIS – Driving Business in Suriname.”, Stef will explore how geospatial technology is evolving beyond mapping into intelligent systems that drive decision-making to grow our business and to boost national development.
Krieshen Ramkhelawan
Managing Director at GISsat N.V.
In his keynote, “GIS in a Flash: Highlights of Geospatial Innovation in Suriname”, Krieshen will showcase the latest developments shaping Suriname’s geospatial landscape and how these innovations empower both public and private organizations.
Geovanny Solera
Business Development Manager, Americas at Esri
In his presentation, “GIS for Infrastructure & Utilities”, Geovanny will share how utilities can move beyond traditional mapping towards intelligent, network-aware systems that drive smarter decision-making.
Sheetal Sujan
Director at Lybra Training, Coaching & Consulting NV - Esri Partner
Lybra specializes in digital transformations by optimizing processes, developing tailored information systems enriched with Location Intelligence and integrated with ArcGIS platform components.
Krieshen Ramkhelawan
Managing Director at GISsat N.V.
In his keynote, “GIS in a Flash: Highlights of Geospatial Innovation in Suriname”, Krieshen will showcase the latest developments shaping Suriname’s geospatial landscape and how these innovations empower both public and private organizations.
Geovanny Solera
Business Development Manager, Americas at Esri
In his presentation, “GIS for Infrastructure & Utilities”, Geovanny will share how utilities can move beyond traditional mapping towards intelligent, network-aware systems that drive smarter decision-making.
Register for This Event
Secure your spot at Suriname’s largest GIS conference. Early bird pricing is available for a limited time.
Non-GISsat Clients
Valid until 4 November 2026-
Full conference access
-
Special Interest Group sessions
-
TechExpo demos & sessions
-
Showcase Expo Island
-
Panel Discussion & Q&A
-
Networking & Closure
-
Coffee, tea & snack break
GISsat Clients
Exclusive extra pass pricing for existing GISsat clients-
Full conference access
-
Special Interest Group sessions
-
TechExpo demos & sessions
-
Showcase Expo Island
-
Panel Discussion & Q&A
-
Networking & Closure
-
Coffee, tea & snack break
Non-GISsat Clients
Valid until 4 November 2026-
Full conference access
-
Special Interest Group sessions
-
TechExpo demos & sessions
-
Showcase Expo Island
-
Panel Discussion & Q&A
-
Networking & Closure
-
Coffee, tea & snack break
GISsat Clients
Exclusive extra pass pricing for existing GISsat clients-
Full conference access
-
Special Interest Group sessions
-
TechExpo demos & sessions
-
Showcase Expo Island
-
Panel Discussion & Q&A
-
Networking & Closure
-
Coffee, tea & snack break
Digital Swag Bag
Take a piece of UC 2026 home: free colouring pages, wallpapers, avatars and a desk stretch break, ready to download and share.
Colouring pages
6
Wallpapers
8
Stretch break
1
Avatar
6
Tech Expo Area showcasing GIS & Digital Twins
Secure your spot at Suriname’s largest GIS conference. Early bird pricing is available for a limited time.
GISsat User Conference 2025 — Watch the Recap
Relive the highlights from last year’s conference and see what to expect this December.
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Ready to Join Suriname's Largest GIS Event?
Seats are limited. Register today for GISsat UC 2026 — December 1st
at Royal Ballroom Torarica, Paramaribo.