GEOfuture is a brand new multi-faceted event focussing on moving the industry forward and promoting new methods, innovation, new approaches and the main future of the industry - our young practitioners. The 2020 event includes a major geotechnical exhibition and a very strong technical content comprising the GI Procurement Summit, Growth through Innovation Conference and the Young GEOpractitioner's Conference.
The focus of GEOfuture 2020 is very much on collaboration, geotechnical community engagement, collective learning, discussion and industry growth through innovation and training.
GEOfuture 2020 will feature a major geotechnical exhibition and a host of technical talks and panel discussions focussing on key issues creating barriers to the continued growth of the UK geotechnical industry.
1. Sustainable procurement of ground investigations
2. Reluctance to innovate and barriers to change
3. Training for Early Career Geopractitioners
The GI Procurement Summit is the key opportunity for the geotechnical community to be involved in and influence changes to procurement of ground investigations. This will provide an opportunity to hear about the work so far carried out relating to procurement and also to discuss your own experiences and challenges which should be considered.
In 2019, the AGS Procurement of Ground Investigation Steering Group determined a number of key areas where work should be carried out to assist and promote improved procurement processes and understanding. GEOfuture 2020 will provide the platform to hear about and discuss:
The geotechnical sector is often described as conservative and a mature industry which sometimes portrays a reluctance to change and innovate. However, it is widely recognised that sectors which do not adapt or change often shrink or the existing market participants get left behind when a disruptor enters the market.
GEOfuture 2020 will provide a forum to discuss how the industry can break down barriers to innovation, how client's can actively engage with innovation and how companies can obtain funding for innovation.
The geotechnical community may soon be facing one of its biggest challenges ever as geoscience degrees have reported significant declines in numbers of students on their courses. The AGS and other bodies are working with the UK Geosciences Group to monitor the affects on industry but in the meantime training of our young and early career geopractioners remains a priority.
The GEOpractitioners Conference will comprise a series of hard-hitting short duration talks provided by leading UK experts. This will provide a unique training and learning development experience for recent graduates and those in the early development of their geotechnical/geoenvironmental career. The principle aim of the conference will be to engage with the future practitioners of our industry, share knowledge and provide an opportunity for discussion and debate.
