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Ambassador Spotlight ‘Patrick Champion’

Welcoming our latest Brand Ambassador, Patrick Champion from the Memphis area of Tennessee USA! Let’s learn some more about him:

Where did you study? Currently enrolled at East Tennessee State University
What are the requirements to be a Surveyor in your area?
Minimum of a high school diploma/GED, eighteen (18) hours of board-approved coursework in the surveying sciences and 10 years of progressive practical experience under the direction of a professional land surveyor.
How long have you been in the industry? Just over 20 years
How did you get into surveying? I took an AutoCAD class at a local trade school in Bakersfield, CA, and landed a job with a small surveying and engineering company. As I started to learn about the history and laws behind surveying, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the profession. The more I understood it, the more it captivated me.
Any associations and organisations you’d like to mention?
California Land Surveyors Association
Why are you volunteering as a Brand Ambassador?
The surveying profession is losing more people to retirement than we are bringing in. Public promotion of the profession is needed to help keep it alive. If we can expose kids to the profession and get them excited about surveying, we stand a better chance of keeping the profession alive.
Why is GKiS important?
Not only is it vital for the survival of the industry, but introducing kids to surveying can help to reinforce their education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador?
I would like to represent the program and profession at school job fairs and STEM events.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy spending time with my family and dogs, traveling and doing photography.
GKiS character ideas?
I’d be a friendly, energetic, and determined-looking camel with a white hard hat adorned with a compass rose symbol, wearing a safety yellow surveyor’s vest with multiple pockets filled with things like a field book, and pencils. I’d also be wearing rugged boots and a tool belt.

I would be carrying a robotic total station on my back and have a UAV controller in my hooves with a mapping UAV hovering above to represent the technology we use in the profession.

Any ideas for more GKiS resources?
I think things like stickers, small toys or puzzles based on surveying instruments and maps and other fun items would be great to capture young kids’ attention and attract them to learn more behind the industry.

Character Spotlight ‘Kompass BMS’

Welcoming Kompass BMS to the Get Kids into Survey team! Brand sponsors of the ‘Surveying in Space’ poster, let’s learn some more about them:

1. Company Name –
Kompass BMS
2. Location –
We’re based in the bustling city of London, UK. It’s a long way from my cozy nest on the cliffs, but I’ve learned to love the city life. We’ve also spread our wings with many of our clients over in the US and Canada. Quite the jet-setters, aren’t we?
3. Why is it important for your company to help Get Kids into Survey?
At Kompass, we believe that curiosity is the first step to great discoveries. Just like how I love to explore the skies and seas, we want to inspire kids to explore the world of surveying. By getting involved with Get Kids into Survey, we can help kids see how exciting and fun surveying can be, using cool technology to map out the world around them. Plus, we need bright young minds to keep the industry thriving. Who knows, maybe one of them will map out the next big puffin colony!
4. What do you do?
Kompass BMS is a business management software system specially designed for surveying and geospatial professionals. It’s like having a treasure map that shows you where everything is and how to get things done efficiently. Our software includes an intuitive dashboard, a robust CRM, project mapping, crew scheduling, timesheets, expense reporting, and real-time visibility. All these features help companies streamline their operations, improve collaboration, and manage their projects smoothly.
5. How long have you been in the survey industry?
We’ve been soaring through the survey industry for 10 years now. That’s a whole decade of mapping, exploring, and innovating!
6. How did you end up getting into the geospatial industry?
Well, let me tell you, it wasn’t always about high-tech gadgets and software. Our founders started with a simple love for maps and the great outdoors. After studying geomatics and getting hands-on experience in the field, they realized there was a need for better tools to manage surveying operations. And thus, Kompass BMS was born, designed to make the lives of surveyors easier and more efficient.
7. State a funny fact about you…
Oh, let me tell you a funny story! Once, I was out exploring the coast when I stumbled upon a group of surveyors. They were scratching their heads, looking quite lost. They had all this fancy equipment but no idea where to go. Turns out, they didn’t have a good business management tool to keep track of their projects.
I waddled over and offered to help. “Follow me,” I said, and with my trusty compass (I wonder why I love it so much! 😉), I led them through the tricky terrain. We navigated cliffs, swooped over valleys, and even dodged a few seagulls! With my compass and some good old puffin navigation skills, we got them back on track.

By the end of the day, not only did they find their way, but they also discovered the importance of having the right tools for the job. They were so grateful; they even named a landmark after me – Pippa’s Point! It was a day to remember, full of laughs and newfound friendships.

8. Favourite piece of kit and why?
Our favourite piece of kit is, of course, a compass! (I wonder why 😉 ) Just like us puffins who are expert navigators, a compass helps surveyors find their way and keep on track. It’s a timeless tool that never goes out of style, providing direction and guidance no matter where you are.

9. Favourite Survey technique and why?
We’re big fans of terrestrial laser scanning. It’s highly accurate and incredibly versatile, perfect for both detailed historical documentation and large-scale construction surveys. The 3D models it produces are invaluable for planning and analysis, making it an essential tool in our toolkit.

10. Your website:
www.kompassbms.com
11. How did you choose the character and what does he/she/it represent? Mean to you? What’s his/her name?
Meet me, Pippa the Puffin! Puffins are known for being expert navigators, resilient, and community-oriented—just like us at Kompass BMS. I symbolize our adventurous spirit and our commitment to making complex processes simple and accessible. My curious nature and love for exploration are traits we hope to inspire in the next generation of surveyors. Plus, let’s be honest, who can resist my charming beak and colourful feathers?

Character Spotlight ‘OWN Inc’

Welcoming OWN Inc, who are one of the wonderful new sponsors of the upcoming Surveying in Space poster. Let’s learn some more about them:
Company Name – OWN, Inc.
Location – North Florida
Why is it important for your company to help Get Kids into Survey? 
Getting kids excited about the surveying profession aligns with our purpose of building futures for our team, our partners, and our communities by fostering a pipeline of future talent equipped with the skills and passion necessary for our industry’s growth.
What do you do? OWN, Inc. is an employee-owned engineering firm with core offerings of Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Land Surveying, and Field Services. Our talented team helps shape the built environment across the country from our offices in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and Florida.
How long have you been in the survey industry? 70 years
State a funny fact about you… Our land surveyors are so dedicated, they’ve turned dodging angry geese, rogue lawn sprinklers, and the occasional 6-foot rattlesnake into an Olympic sport. We’re still waiting for the official gold medals to arrive.
Favorite piece of kit and why? A cloth tape is so underrated and is one of my most useful tools.
Favorite Survey technique and why? Retracement surveys are the most interesting and fun. As a surveyor and orangutan, I love being in the forests retracing the steps of our fathering surveyors. Reading through GLO notes and then finding an original monument is the most rewarding experience.
How did you choose the character and what does he/she/it represent? Mean to you? What’s his/her name? 
Ollie the OWNer, our beloved orangutan mascot, embodies the perfect blend of fun and professionalism that defines our surveyors at OWN. With his bright eyes and playful demeanor, Ollie reminds us that while we strive for excellence in our work, it’s equally important to enjoy the journey and maintain a positive, vibrant work environment. His curious spirit and love for exploration mirror our dedication to discovering new information and providing valuable insights for our clients, partners, and community.
Ollie’s presence encourages us to approach challenges with a light heart and an open mind, fostering creativity and innovation. He symbolizes our commitment to excellence in surveying while emphasizing the importance of joy and laughter in a productive workplace. With Ollie by our side, we are inspired to achieve great things and have fun along the way, ensuring that our work remains fulfilling and enjoyable.

GeoBusiness 2024

We are very grateful to the organisers at Geo Business that each year we are able to return to the Education section of the show.

 

Geo Business is the UK’s ‘unmissable geospatial event of the year’ with over 100 companies exhibiting and even more attending as visitors. This year the event was super connected to it’s neighbour show Digital Construction Week with visitors and exhibitors socialising between the two.

 

Erin and Sarah attended and were at the stand for the duration of the two day show, the first day being extremely busy with a queue for the majority of the day! It makes us so proud to realise how many people support our mission and share our values to inspire the future generation of geospatial experts.

 

Shoutout to our fabulous final sponsor of the Surveying in Space Poster 90 Degree who signed up on day 2 of the show 🥳 This means we are rapidly trying to finish off this poster ready to launch… coming this summer so keep your eyes peeled!

 

Moving forwards we have started recruiting for the next SERIES of posters

 

Plus there’s always lots going on to help expand our volunteer team of Brand Ambassadors. With the new Hub online thanks to Topcon, we are able to expand our collection of resources which help our brand ambassadors go out and do outreach. 

 

It was fantastic to see some of our incredible Brand Ambassadors at the show Grace Ngwenya, Chris Preston, James Gager and Jamie Stephens to name a few!

 

Lots of lovely people took Erin’s business card at the show, please do get in touch if you took one. There’s plenty going on in the world of GKiS and Erin can help explain the options to you.

 

If you are intrigued about anything GKiS related please just pop us an email and we can have a chat: erin@getkidsintosurvey.com

 

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Character Spotlight ‘FARO’

Welcoming FARO the Pharaoh, the latest addition to Get Kids into Survey as seen in the upcoming Surveying in Space poster! Let’s learn some more about them:

  1. Company Name – FARO Technologies
  2. Location – Lake Mary, FL USA
  3. Why is it important for your company to help Get Kids into Survey? Technology is FUN and innovative and FARO continues to make technologies so everyone can get into surveying, no matter their age.
  4. What do you do? I manufacture 3d reality capture tools that scan and provide surveyors copies of what they’re trying to measure. Our devices capture and process this data, called point clouds to deliver amazing 3 dimensional images in full color.
  5. How long have you been in the survey industry? Since 1982
  6. How did you end up getting into the geospatial industry? Through the years FARO sought our amazing technologies which we knew would be the future of 3D reality capture so in 2005, FARO acquired iQvolution, the founder of our 3D laser scanner.
  7. State a funny fact about you… FARO is an acronym for Frasier and Raab Orthopedics…which was the first business I had before getting into 3D reality capture.
  8. Favourite piece of kit and why? The FARO Orbis Handheld Laser Scanner – because you can scan nearly everything no matter what journey you take.
  9. Favourite Survey technique and why? I love using our laser scanners to survey! It’s FAST, colorful and full of amazing detail.
  10. Your website: www.faro.com
  11. How did you choose the character and what does he/she/it represent? With so many people not knowing how to pronounce my name, we decided to make it easy for everyone. Mean to you? What’s his/her name? FARO the Pharaoh is my name.

Character Spotlight ‘AlphaGeo’

Introducing our latest sponsor of the ‘Surveying in Space’ poster, AlphaGeo! Let’s learn some more about them:

1.Company Name: AlphaGeo

2. Location: Unit 5 RAC Estate, Park Road, Faringdon, Oxon SN7 7BP

3. Why is it important for your company to help Get Kids into Survey?

    • It is important for AlphaGeo to help Get Kids into Survey because inspiring the next generation of surveyors is crucial for the future of the geospatial industry. By engaging children with the exciting possibilities within surveying, we hope to spark interest and cultivate future talent. This initiative aligns with our values of education, community involvement, and innovation.

4. What do you do? AlphaGeo is a leading UK-based distributer for Commercial Drones/UAVs & Payloads, ROVs/Underwater Drones, Survey Equipment.

5. How long have you been in the survey industry?AlphaGeo has been in the survey industry for 9 years, delivering high-quality geospatial products and maintaining a reputation for accuracy and reliability.

6. How did you end up getting into the geospatial industry?

    • Our journey into the geospatial industry began with a passion for geoscience consultancy and survey. Our founders recognized the growing importance of geospatial technology in solving complex problems and decided to establish AlphaGeo to offer innovative surveying products.

7. State a funny fact about you…

    • A funny fact about us is that we once tried to use a drone to deliver coffee to our surveyors working in a remote location as a morale booster during a long project.

8. Favourite piece of kit and why?

    • Our favourite piece of kit is the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) or drone. It allows us to capture high-resolution aerial imagery and survey large areas efficiently, providing detailed data that enhances our project outcomes.

9. Favourite Survey technique and why?

    • Our favourite survey technique is LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). This technique is favoured for its ability to produce precise, high-resolution 3D models of the terrain, which are invaluable for planning and analysis in various applications.

10. Your website: https://alphageouk.com/

11. How did you choose the character and what does he/she/it represent? Mean to you? What’s his/her name?

    • We chose our characters based on “dick dastardly and muttley to represent the adventurous and inquisitive spirit of surveyors. AlphaGeo is equipped with modern surveying tools & products and always ready for an exploration, symbolizing our commitment to cutting-edge technology and discovery. Get Kids into Survey means a lot to us as it embodies our mission to educate and inspire, showing that surveying is not just a job but an exciting and dynamic career.

Ambassador Spotlight ‘Eduardo Corona López’

Introducing Eduardo Corona López our latest ambassador from Guadalajara in western Mexico!

Requirements to be a Surveyor in your area? Degree and professional license (federal and state)
Any associations and organisations you’d like to mention: Im an active member of a professional surveyors group on my state Jaliaco
Why is GKiS important? I know there’s a need for promoting the career so more students get in role on this profession.
What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador: create some advertising for parents who are Surveyors or Geomaticians that says or promotes that you are proudly a surveying engineer parent. Invite them to the University to the Topographic Lab and do some activities and rally’s.
What are your hobbies outside of work? movies, and soccer.
GKiS character ideas? A lion. All of us who study at the University of Guadalajara are called Black Lions, like the team’s logo.
GKiS resources future suggestions: Creating a board game for children that teaches about Topography or Geomatics

Ambassador Spotlight ‘Caitlin Tonge’

Introducing our latest Brand Ambassador Caitlin Tonge representing the Warwickshire area of the UK:

Where did you study? University of Reading

How did you get into surveying? Enjoyed being outside and problem solving, working with like minded people

Any associations and organisations you’d like to mention: TSA

Why are you volunteering? To access the resources on the hub to help prepare presentations

Why is GKiS important? Important for young people to understand the world around them and introduce them to surveying as a career

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador: Talks about surveying to local scouts and school groups

What are your hobbies? A local scout leader and outdoor enthusiast