Conservation leader Sean Southey to keynote the Esri Canada User Conference

Canadian Wildlife Federation CEO will highlight value of bringing technology and conservation together for positive environmental and social outcomes.

TORONTO—Oct. 27, 2025—Esri Canada today announced that Sean Southey, chief executive officer of the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF), will address the largest gathering of geospatial professionals at the 2025 Esri Canada User Conference in Toronto on Nov. 3-4. Southey will share how his organization is transforming wildlife conservation efforts across the country using geographic information system (GIS) technology.

“GIS helps us map, analyze and understand the challenges facing Canada’s natural heritage in ways never before possible,” says Southey. “It allows us to make smarter decisions, mobilize communities and drive real change. Combining geography, the science of where, and the science of conservation brings us closer to the Canada we all want.”

Over the past 35 years, Southey has spearheaded more than 100 campaigns worldwide, received more than 100 awards and reached billions of people with information and initiatives protecting life on Earth. Most recently, he was chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Commission on Education and Communication (CEC), championing nature-based education. As CEO of the CWF, he is dedicated to conserving Canada’s wildlife and habitats and inspiring their stewardship for the benefit of all. A key priority is partnership building for research and education, finding solutions to address critical issues including biodiversity loss and climate change.

“Environmental sustainability is a key focus of our company,” says Alex Miller, president, Esri Canada. “GIS technology was invented for this purpose. We’re honoured to have Sean Southey address our community of Esri users in Canada to learn from his experience on mobilizing people to act on climate change and conservation.”

This year’s conference theme, “GIS—Integrating Everything, Everywhere”, emphasizes how geospatial technology transcends boundaries, integrates data and analytics, and empowers individuals and organizations to drive positive change. Southey will present on Nov. 4 following plenary talks, hands-on technical sessions and real-world user presentations that showcase how GIS is transforming industries and communities. The event, to be held at the Toronto Congress Centre North Building, also features an expo with cutting-edge solutions, opportunities to connect with peers and Esri Canada experts, and social events to foster collaboration. The conference is ideal for anyone looking to deepen their GIS expertise and expand their professional network.

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About Esri Canada
Founded in 1984, Esri Canada provides geographic information system (GIS) solutions that empower people in business, government, and education to make informed and timely decisions by leveraging the power of mapping and spatial analytics. These solutions enable organizations to better manage their resources, plan their future and collaborate within and beyond their organization. Esri Canada’s products and services help advance successful digital transformation. The company serves more than 14,000 organizations from 13 offices across Canada and is based in Toronto. Esri Canada has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 13 consecutive years. More information can be found at esri.ca. Follow Esri Canada on X (Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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