Thousands of surveying and land professionals from across the globe have arrived in Sydney for the largest surveying congress in the World in 2010, the International Federation of Surveyors Congress taking place this week from April 11-16.

The event, which only occurs once every four years, has brought over 2,000 delegates from more than 100 countries to Australia and is expected to contribute $13.4 million to the local economy. It is the largest Congress in the Federation’s 130 year history.

Congress Director Paul Harcombe, an Ambassador of Business Events Sydney (BESydney) – the official organisation responsible for assisting the Surveying & Spatial Sciences Institute bring the event to Sydney – said the Congress will allow Australia to showcase its capabilities and expertise to the rest of the world.

Congress Director and BE Sydney
ambassador Paul Harcombe

More importantly, business meetings like the Congress also ensure the global Surveying profession can better service the community.

“We plan to put a particular focus on small island developing states in the Asia Pacific that struggle with land governance, customary land ownership and rising sea levels. We can improve societies and the quality of life of individuals by focusing our research and expertise into these areas,” he said.

“Pacific Islanders,” for example, “face future issues associated with rising sea levels and understanding the possible impacts and adaptive solutions is an area where the Congress can help.”

As well as addressing key local issues like climate change and land ownership problems in Papua New Guinea where more than 200 tribes struggle with overlapping boundaries, the event will also grow the profession in Australia.

Jon Hutchison, CEO of BESydney, said “This is a significant win and one that is sure to heighten Sydney and Australia’s standing as a leading Surveying destination.

“Sydney is a surveyor’s paradise. By coming to our shores, delegates will have the opportunity to learn first hand, how a city as unique as Sydney with its harbour setting, is able to plan and develop spatially-reliant systems such as those most pertinent to the everyday citizen – like transportation,” he said.

From surveying the unique Opera House sails, to learning about the surveyors involved in the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, congress delegates will also get the opportunity to visit many iconic surveying sites on specially organised Technical Tours.

Delegates comprise surveyors, academics, researchers, CEOs and practising professionals in the fields of land, hydrographic engineering, quantity surveying, valuation, geodesy, spatial information and satellite positioning.

As the organisation responsible for promoting Sydney as a business events destination, identifying new opportunities and bringing these events to Sydney, BESydney secured the right to host the Congress, ahead of Edmonton and Vienna, with an absolute majority.

Keynote speakers at the Congress will include 2007 Australian of the Year, Professor Tim Flannery, and NSW Chief Scientist, Professor Mary O’Kane, a BESydney board member.

Hutchison believes that the overwhelming number of delegates attending the congress suggests there is a high aspiration for delegates to travel to Sydney.

“Sydney offers a total package for global business audiences with its standing as a centre of business excellence and rare blend of natural attributes,” said Hutchison.

For more information about the Congress and its program, click here.