Denis Hains is the Founder, President, and CEO of H2i, recognized as a leader in hydrography and hydrospatial sciences. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geodetic Sciences and is the founder and Co-Lead of the Global Hydrospatial Movement Club and Community, which promotes innovation and collaboration in the field.
With over 35 years of service in the Government of Canada, Denis served as Hydrographer General of Canada and Director General of the Canadian Hydrographic Service for six years. His outstanding contributions earned him the Canadian Hydrographic Association’s Sam Masry Award in 2024.
Through H2i, Denis continues to advance hydrospatial innovation while contributing his expertise pro bono in various high-profile roles, including as a Strategic Advisory Group Member for the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, Affiliate Research Scientist at UNH-CCOM, and Co-Chair of FIG Commission 4 Working Group 4.4. He also serves on the International Hydrographic Review Editorial Board, the IFHS-Hydrographic Professional Accreditation Scheme, and as Senior Advisor for COMREN.
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Denis Hains est fondateur et PDG de H2i, reconnu comme un leader en hydrographie et sciences de l'hydrospatial. Il est titulaire d'un baccalauréat en sciences géodésiques ; fondateur et co-leader du Global Hydrospatial Movement Club and Community, pour l'innovation et la collaboration dans ce domaine.
Avec plus de 35 ans de service au sein du Gouvernement du Canada, Denis a occupé le poste d’Hydrographe général du Canada et de Directeur général du Service hydrographique du Canada pendant six ans. Ses contributions exceptionnelles lui ont valu le Prix Sam Masry de l’Association canadienne d’hydrographie en 2024.
À travers H2i, Denis continue de faire progresser l'innovation en hydrospatial tout en apportant son expertise bénévolement dans divers rôles prestigieux, notamment en tant que membre du groupe consultatif stratégique pour le projet Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030, chercheur associé au UNH-CCOM, et co-président du Groupe de travail 4.4 de la Commission 4 de la FIG. Il siège également au comité éditorial de l'International Hydrographic Review, au Hydrographic Professional Accreditation Scheme de l'IFHS, et en tant que conseiller principal pour COMREN.
Sessions in which Denis Hains participates
Monday 12 May, 2025
📅 Date: Monday, May 12, 2025📍 Location: Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street, ByWard Market, Ottawa⏰ Time: Networking at 6:30 PM | Panel begins at 7:00 PM | Live music to follow🍽 Details: Cash bar and hors d’oeuvres provided Event OverviewJoin us for an evening of high-level discussion, networking, and live music in the heart of Ottawa’s historic By...
Wednesday 14 May, 2025
The Oceans cover more than 70% of our Planet… with offshore, near shore and coastal waters including rivers and lakes that are navigable or not.This Keynote Address will kick off the Hydrospatial Track on Day TWO of the GeoIgnite 2025 - Ottawa. The presentation will articulate the context and the timing of WHAT is HYDROSPATIAL in the global Geospatial community? SO WHAT is important to Measure, to Monitor an to Model? THEN WHAT is the Strategy, the Challenges, t...
With still about 75% of our ocean still insufficiently surveyed, the hydrospatial challenges ahead are immense - yet so are the opportunities. Join this dynamic panel of LEADERS to hear their vision and insights on the future of ocean, coastal mapping and digital data. The discussion will feature experts in: Hydrospatial Information Systems (HIS/GIS)Satellite-Derived Bathymetry (SDB)In-situ SurveyingResearch & EducationGovernm...
Sessions in which Denis Hains attends
Monday 12 May, 2025
This open forum invites all attendees to engage in discussions on Canada’s path toward greater self-reliance in the geospatial sector, particularly in light of emerging trade conflicts, including the recent U.S. tariffs, and evolving global geopolitical shifts. The forum will explore strategies to strengthen Canada’s technological capabilities and reduce reliance on external sources, with a focus on fostering innovation, security, and growth.
Canada's Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO) and GoGeomatics Canada have invited Canadian students to use GEO.ca, the definitive source for Canada's open geospatial information, to develop innovative solutions for a specific challenge scenario in the months leading up to GeoIgnite.The results of the 2025 Hackathon will be announced at GeoIgnite. The presentation will include an overview of GEO.ca and the purpose and challenge of the Hackathon, followed by presentations from t...
Join us for a thought-provoking lunchtime discussion where we explore the evolving landscape of Canada’s geospatial industry while enjoying a delicious meal.The concept of Two Solitudes has long symbolized the cultural and linguistic divide between English and French Canada, but how does this idea still resonate within our geospatial ecosystem to...
Join us for the OGC Canada Forum! We’ll dive into key topics like the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) and how Building Information Modeling (BIM) integrates with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This event gathers experts from industry, academia, Indigenous organizations, and government to explore these technologies' impact on Canada’s built environment. We'll also cover how OGC standards boost interoperability and innovation. All Canadian organ...
Tuesday 13 May, 2025
Mini Continental BreakfastGeoIgnite is delighted to offer a selection of chilled fruit juices, freshly baked croissants, muffins, and breakfast pastries, served with butter and preserves. Guests can also enjoy fruit cocktails and yogurt. Available beverages include coffee, tea, and decaffeinated coffee.
For decades, Canada’s geospatial ecosystem has thrived on deep integration with the U.S., benefiting from shared technology, markets, and collaboration. But today, shifting geopolitical and economic realities—trade conflicts, supply chain vulnerabilities, and data sovereignty concerns—are forcing us to rethink this reliance. The question is no longer whether we should adapt, but how.
Dr. Nadine Alameh, the inaugural Executive Director of the Taylor Geospatial Institute, has been leading an ambitious effort to accelerate geospatial research for tackling today’s biggest challenges—climate, disasters, health, and national security. In this session, she will reflect on what it takes to build a truly impactful geospatial ecosystem, challenge assumptions about the roles of national mapping agencies, academia, and nonprofi...
The Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) is Canada's agency for charting Canadian waters. Canada has the longest coastline of any country in the world, with more than a third of its territory under water. As a maritime nation, global maritime transport traffic is significant. Hydrography supports safe navigation and shipping through the production of nautical charts and other publications including water levels. With opportunities provided by emerging technologies and the move to e-navig...
In 2006, British mathematician Clive Humby declared that data was the new oil. Soon after there was a significant rush around the world to embrace a data revolution to try and improve humanity’s social, economic and environmental well being. Twenty-years later, the hard work of data continues. Like Canadian oil and gas, it is for the most part – a landlocked asset; unable to push us to the next levels of productivity and innovation. This keynote looks at ...
Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we interpret and act on information—but what does that mean for the geospatial world? As AI models generate synthetic maps, infer locations, and automate analysis, geospatial professionals face a critical moment: will we shape the future, or be shaped by it?In this session, the CEO of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) will explore the complex relationship between AI and geospatial systems—from the risks of black-box models and data halluci...
Top technical performers are often promoted into leadership roles, yet many struggle. In AI-driven, data-intensive industries, expertise alone is not enough—leaders must also navigate complexity, inspire teams, and drive execution. Without these skills, organizations face decision paralysis, disengaged teams, and stalled innovation.Senior leaders know that competency is crucial—technical excellence is the foundation of succes...
At GeoIgnite 2025, Alexander will explore how Canada's geospatial community is uniquely positioned to lead in developing solutions to environmental challenges in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. Drawing on compelling case studies from around the globe, including successful Dutch-Canadian collaborations, he will demonstrate how geospatial technologies are becoming indispensable tools for environmental monitoring, climate resilience planning, and sustainable...
Keith J. Masback is one of the most respected voices in the field of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT), with over three decades of leadership spanning the U.S. government, military, and private sector. His deep expertise in remote sensing, intelligence, and national security has positioned him at the forefront of how geospatial data is used for strategic decision-making.As the former CEO of the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) and a senior leader at the National ...
A seasoned leader in geomatics and Earth Observation with two decades of experience in the federal government, Eric Loubier has vast expertise in developing and implementing national geomatics and Earth observation strategies. In his talk, Eric will explore the integration of AI with Earth observation, and how this powerful combination is transforming Canada’s approach to addressing critical national issues like climate change, natural resource management, urban planning, and disaster response.
GET YOUR TICKETMORE PURCHASING OPTIONSJoin us for an exclusive Networking Party at the Canada Science & Technology Museum as part of the 2025 buildingSMART Canada National...
Wednesday 14 May, 2025
Mini Continental BreakfastGeoIgnite is delighted to offer a selection of chilled fruit juices, freshly baked croissants, muffins, and breakfast pastries, served with butter and preserves. Guests can also enjoy fruit cocktails and yogurt. Available beverages include coffee, tea, and decaffeinated coffee.
Presenting the CHN and highlighting how its new features leverage advancements in hydrography to improve both water-related models and their applications to support decision making. The Canadian Hydrospatial Network (CHN) was officially launched this past May, marking a significant milestone in the development of hydrospatial networks in Canada. Over the past year, the network has expanded and grown in importance, positioning itself as a key resource for the future of its field. CHN continues...
Under the FHIMP, Natural Resources Canada, supported by Public Safety and Environment and Climate Change Canada, collaborates with provinces and territories to create, and disseminate engineering-level flood hazard maps and information. In this presentation, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) will provide an update on the ongoing work under FHIMP with results of the first stage of the FHIMP (2021-24) and the kickoff of the FHIMP expansion (2023-2028) which will see investments in every jurisdic...
The successful implementation of the S-100 suite hinges on various factors, with final product specification and comprehensive testing of route monitoring layers being paramount. Canada is proposing an international designated area for these tests, underscoring its commitment to the S-100 suite's success and global maritime safety. Canada has selected the St-Lawrence River in Québec as the S-100 sea trial area for 2025. The trial aims to evaluate the S-100 system's ability to ingest and displ...
In 1976 the Canadian Hydrographic Service was the first hydrographic agency to recognize and display a satellite-discovered feature on a nautical chart. This was the discovery of Landsat island off the coast of Labrador.In the time since the capabilities of satellites to survey coastal waters have grown exponentially yet the use of satellite based depth information on nautical charts has not. Satellite based surveying offers a multitude of benefits to the safety of operations, empowering ...
Aerial thermal infrared (TIR) surveys have been a crucial tool supporting river restoration project across the North America as many salmonid-bearing rivers are projected to warm in the coming decades due to increases in atmospheric temperatures and concomitant decreases and earlier melt of snowpack. The objectives of collecting TIR imagery are to assess the current summer thermal state and the distribution of cold-water refuges within the river system, and to identify opportunities and...
In this session, we will explore key trends and insights from FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data for the United States. Using publicly available data from OpenFEMA, we will analyze patterns in flood risk and claims frequency, with a particular emphasis on the impacts of major flooding events such as Hurricane Katrina (2005) and Hurricane Sandy (2012). Through a deep dive into historical claims data, we will uncover trends over time and examine how these significant storms, al...
New innovations in hydrography has led to the use of a next generation Uncrewed Survey Vessel for the collection of bathymetric data in Canadian waters. The Canadian Hydrographic Service contracted IIC Technologies to test the suitability of the latest Autonomous Survey Technology in remote locations with challenging weather conditions. The contract required the acquisition of high-resolution bathymetric data in water depths of up to 200m over an 8002km area off of Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
Enjoy a fresh and satisfying lunch featuring a house blend of baby spinach, kale, and mesclun greens with feta cheese, pumpkin, chia, and poppy seeds, dried cranberries, and golden raisins. A tomato and cucumber salad with lime and avocado dressing adds a refreshing touch, alongside a medley of mixed greens with assorted dressings.For the main course, savor freshly roas...
The Canadian Ocean Mapping Research and Education Network (COMREN) is a national group of academic, non-profit, and federal researchers in ocean and coastal mapping. Since 2016, COMREN has focused on developing research activities, technology transfer to industry, and educational programs that support ocean mapping as a network of dedicated individuals. The group partners with government agencies and international organizations to increase Canada’s domestic and global ocean and coastal mappin...
Join us as we wrap up another incredible edition of GeoIgnite with a celebration on the tradeshow floor. We’ll raise a glass of champagne and come together for a group photo of all our amazing participants, partners, and friends.This final moment is our way of saying thank you to everyone who helped make GeoIgnite a success — from speakers and sponsors to delegates and volunteers. Let’s end on a high note and capture the spirit of Canada’s national geospatial leadership event, together.