Mark Empey
Mark sits on the advisory committee for the 2024 GoGeomatics Expo and has been a Calgary Group Leader for GoGeomatics for the past two years. He is a certified Geographic Information Systems Professional with over a decade of experience in the Geomatics and GIS industries and is currently a PhD Candidate in the Department of Geomatics Engineering at the University of Calgary. His background includes roles as a Sessional Instructor at the University of Calgary, teaching a graduate/undergraduate course in GIS, as well as working as a geomatics consultant for private firms, not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, and academic institutions. Mark is also contributing to the development of the Geomatics Engineering Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Calgary's Schulich School of Engineering.
Sessions in which Mark Empey attends
Tuesday 29 October, 2024
The new Canadian Hydrospatial Network (CHN) is set to replace the National Hydrographic Network (NHN) for Canada. Designed for improved use in hydrological models, the CHN is analysis ready with full-network traversing ability, and value-added attributes such as stream order. The CHN is also created from higher-resolution source data and better aligned to elevation than the NHN, where possible, and has been streamlined for production and maintenance.Work is on-going to refine methods a...
Subsea acoustic sensors, including multibeam sonars and sub bottom profilers, provide users with a variety of data types to improve our understanding of the marine environment and effectively manage important resources. This includes bathymetry, which is a foundational layer for analysis, but also information on the bottom reflectivity to characterize sediment types, water column data to map mid-water material and organisims by providing a view from the sensor to the floor of our rivers and l...
Too often, when discussing the value proposition of geospatial data, we focus in on raw data or output products without spending a lot of time in the juicy middle of data throughputs. That is to say that modern geospatial is leaving a lot of value on the table and thus limiting our ability to good with our data by: -> Focusing too heavily on the capturing aspect of geospatial technologies;-> Ignoring or discounting analytical capabilities of geospatial technologie...
Water is one of our most vital resources, and its management is becoming increasingly complex in the face of climate change, population growth, and competing demands from agriculture, industry, and municipalities. This panel will delve into how geospatial technologies are revolutionizing water policy by providing the data-driven insights needed for smarter decision-making.Join leading experts from academia, provincial and federal gov...
The government of Alberta manages the production of riverine flood studies under the provincial Flood Hazard Identification Program, to assist communities in keeping Albertans safe and protecting their properties from floods. Flood maps improve public safety, support emergency management, and help us build safer and more resilient communities. The government of Alberta also manages the production of alluvial fan studies to help Albertans learn about flood risks in the steep terrain of Alberta...
The Riparian Web Portal (www.riparian.info) is an award-winning project, launched in 2021 by Alberta’s watershed community. This dynamic online space empowers Albertans to enhance riparian health through interactive access to comprehensive data and resources. It serves a crucial role in advancing the riparian health objectives pursued by various watershed groups.At its core, the portal integrates innovative GIS-based assessments from six watershed agencies, covering over 60,000 km of r...
Algal blooms, typically consisting of cyanobacteria which can produce harmful toxins, are a recurring problem on lakes around the world. Although Alberta has long-term sampling programs on selected lakes, monitoring is limited in time and space. Satellite remote sensing offers a way to monitor cyanobacteria blooms across the entire ice-free season and track spatial patterns of bloom development, dynamics, and spread across lakes. The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI), Alb...
Wrap up the first full day of Canada's National Geomatics Expo with the GoGeomatics Meetup! This lively party and networking event, free to attend, starts right after the day's sessions, offering a perfect blend of fun and professional interaction. Held on the expo main floor, the meetup features a cash bar to help you unwind and enjoy the evening. Join us for an exciting night of music, mingling, and making connections with fellow attendees. Don't miss this chance to relax and expand your ne...
Wednesday 30 October, 2024
Join us for an engaging panel discussion on Geo-Entrepreneurship, featuring distinguished experts from geospatial consultancies, geomatics communication and event companies, and geomatics software firms. This session is designed for those interested in the intersection of geospatial technology and entrepreneurship.Journey to Entrepreneurship: Hear from our panelists on their motivations for leaving traditional careers to pursue entrepreneurial ventures in the geospatial field. Dis...
Reduced snowpack in the Rockies presents a severe drought risk for Southern Alberta. Mountain snowmelt in the Bow and Oldman basins maintains reservoir levels, crop irrigation, municipal and industrial supply, and ecosystem services. As climate and consumption pressures increase, accurate snow water equivalent (SWE) data is crucial for water supply forecasts, which impact allocations and emergency drought measures. Field snowpack monitoring does not provide accu...
In our rapidly evolving urban landscapes, inadequate accessibility maps leave many people with disabilities facing significant challenges. This talk begins by illustrating the problem with real examples of accessibility fails on platforms like Google Maps. Attendees are encouraged to check accessibility features on their phones, highlighting current gaps.We will then explore the necessity of specialized tools for meaningful navigation and destination planning for people with disabiliti...
