Published: 07 Oct 2026
The Geospatial Survey Association (GSA) has invited members to register for the GSA Conference and Awards Day, which takes place in Coventry on Friday 6 November 2026. Once again, the day is set to have a huge impact, with updates on GSA’s new national marketing campaign: The Geospatial Accord, an incredible keynote speaker, and of course, the celebration of The Survey School’s latest group of delegates who have completed the GSA Surveying Course and also this year’s geospatial apprentices.
Taking place at CLM Conference Centre, Coventry, the conference provides an ideal opportunity to bring members up-to-speed on the aims and ambitions of The Geospatial Accord as well as details on how to get involved. It also aims to continue to deliver on GSA’s vision statement, which promises to help members ‘build a better business’. As part of this aim, the association has invited a keynote address from Nicolas Hamilton, a celebrated racing driver who truly personifies ‘anything is possible’.
Keynote speaker: Nicolas Hamilton
Nicolas Hamilton is the only disabled driver to have competed in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) since the series began in 1958. Born with a form of cerebral palsy which affects the movement of his leg muscles, Nicolas was initially a wheelchair user. He endured years of training so that by the age of 17 he could walk unaided. A huge achievement, but this was just the first part of his unwavering determination to become a racing driver.
He currently drives for the reigning champions Team VERTU and in May 2026, he won the Jack Sears trophy in the British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton.
Commented Rachel Tyrrell, GSA CEO, “We are delighted to welcome Nicolas Hamilton to speak to us as the keynote for the day. To be the younger brother of perhaps the greatest F1 driver ever, Sir Lewis Hamilton, and still choose a career in motorsport shows a real willingness to embrace the pressure and do it anyway!
“The timing of the conference couldn’t be better this year too. Following our recent name change, it is an ideal opportunity to bring our members together. It has been a groundbreaking and ambitious year for us – embarking on a new campaign that builds on so much great existing work but aims to achieve something that might seem to be ‘mission impossible’ in many ways. The Geospatial Accord aims to put geospatial surveying where it has always belonged – first.
“It is also a great privilege to have the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our course delegates and apprentices from colleges in the UK. This is the third year that we have combined the GSA Surveying Course celebration with our annual conference, and it has been an incredible success. The delegates and apprentices have the opportunity to meet experienced surveyors and learn from the conference. Meanwhile, our members can see the next generation of surveyors coming through.”
