From July 8-10, 2025, the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) hosted ACTION, the largest national planning conference in history, in Toronto. The event brought together thousands of professionals dedicated to shaping the future of Canada’s communities. Its success would not have been possible without the incredible support of our partners.
In this Q&A, we caught up with Katharine Stanbridge, the Industry Manager for Planning and Housing at Esri Canada, one of our valued partners and exhibitors, to learn more about their experience at the conference and their ongoing connection to the planning community.
Can you tell us a bit about your organization and your connection to the planning community?
Esri Canada provides GIS solutions to urban planners: from future-planning cities, to streamlining development application review, to permitting, and building digital twins of cities, GIS supports the planning profession.
By leveraging GIS technology, planners can access and analyze vast amounts of geographic data, enabling them to make informed decisions about land use, infrastructure development, and resource allocation. This integration of data helps identify trends, assess environmental impacts, and engage communities in the planning process. Esri Canada equips planners with the latest tools and insights, empowering them to create more resilient, livable, and efficient cities.
What motivated you to become a partner at ACTION 2025?
The Esri Canada Planning and Housing Division had a great time at ACTION 2025, connecting with urban planners and understanding their needs. It was also a good opportunity to show planners what GIS can do for them.
The team had meaningful discussions with planners about the challenges they face in urban development and planning. The conference not only facilitated valuable networking opportunities but also positioned Esri Canada as a key player in providing innovative solutions tailored to the evolving demands of urban planners.
What was your biggest takeaway from the conference?
Esri Canada’s Planning and Housing Division’s biggest takeaway from the conference was the need for better collaboration between municipal planners and their GIS counterparts. Planners across the country are facing similar issues and working toward the same goals, and GIS can provide the data and geographical context to help them achieve those goals. Integrating technology, such as GIS, into existing planning processes can enhance decision-making, particularly with regard to transit-oriented development, housing policies, and community engagement. The themes and presentations at the ACTION 2025 conference highlighted this need for collaboration.
How do you see your organization continuing to engage with the planning community after ACTION 2025?
The Esri Canada team connected with a lot of planners at the ACTION 2025 conference and plans to continue delivering quality educational content to Canadian urban planners, so that they can collaborate with their GIS colleagues.
We are excited to attend several planning conferences in 2026, based on the success of ACTION 2025. Additionally, Esri Canada Planning and Housing will be releasing an e-book in early 2026 to continue the conversation with planners.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with CIP members?
Thanks to the incredible staff for their hard work, organization, and dedication in making this conference such a well-run and enjoyable event. Everything from the sessions to the logistics was seamless and truly appreciated. We’d also like to extend our gratitude to all the attendees for being so welcoming, friendly, and engaging throughout the conference. It was a pleasure connecting with so many inspiring people, and we had a wonderful time. We’re already looking forward to joining everyone again next year in Montreal!
About the Author
Katharine Stanbridge is Manager of Industry Engagement for Esri Canada’s Planning and Housing Division. She strives to connect municipalities and housing builders with the tools they need to address the housing crisis.
Join Us as a Partner at FUSION 2026
CIP and OUQ are thrilled to host the next national planning conference, FUSION, in Montreal from July 7 to 9, 2026. FUSION is expected to bring together over 800 senior leaders, mid-career professionals, emerging planners, and students from across the country who are eager to engage and learn over the course of three days.
