Stating that innovation is more than rockets and research, Mayor Tommy Battle announced plans for this month’s GEOHuntsville Summit and its theme “Rocket City Rising.”

The annual event – highlighted by a breakfast keynote address from Lt. Gen. Richard L. Zellmann, deputy commander of the U.S. Space Command – is March 26 at the Huntsville Botanical Garden.

The summit will launch “forward-looking conversations,” Battle said at a news conference Tuesday. “GeoHuntsville focuses on the intersection of geospatial, space and AI. This collaboration accelerates solutions and opens new opportunities for the people who power Huntsville’s future.

“It takes all of us to keep the city moving forward.”

The summit will convene industry leaders, government partners, academic innovators and students to explore emerging technologies, workforce development and real‑world applications.

“We’re promoting Huntsville as a geospatial mecca,” said Stan Tillman, executive director of GEOHuntsville. “We’re trying to grow our region’s geospatial ecosystem.

“We think it’s important for our city.”

The summit will have three themes: Space, AI, and geospatial intelligence, Tillman said.

After Zellman, other keynote speakers are: midday – Bill Caniano, West executive of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency; and, afternoon – Justin Langlois, deputy director, Office of Commercial Systems, National Reconnaissance Office.

“We will also have several panels at the conference,” Tillman said.

Among the panel topics are:

How Commercial Companies Are Solving Threats in Space;
Beyond Automation – How Next‑Gen AI Is Reshaping GEOINT Collection & Analysis;
Why Geospatial Ethics & Standards Matter in AI & Space;
Preparing Students for the 2035 National Security Workforce.

To register for GEOHuntsville Summit 2026, click here.

To meet the needs of the national security workforce and to support the next generation of geospatial leaders, GEOHuntsville offers scholarships.

“The GEOHuntsville scholarship provides $1,000 to students,” said GEOHuntsville Scholarship Chair Sheila McFerran. “We encourage parents and children to take advantage of this program.”

GEOHuntsville is still accepting applications for three $1,000 scholarships for high school seniors graduating this spring and college students pursuing geospatial-related degrees.

Recipients will be recognized in person at the summit.

Students can apply at https://0d04ef0d-0bf0-4e7d-84fe-c37e413aac40.filesusr.com. The deadline to apply is March 16.

GeoHuntsville was launched in 2012 by Battle as part of the Exemplar City initiative to connect government, industry and academia to advance geospatial innovation, strengthen public safety and support economic and workforce development across the region.

The initiative supports Huntsville as a national leader in the design, development and deployment of practical geospatial solutions.

“For more than 70 years, Huntsville has driven national innovation, from the space race to today’s convergence of geospatial, space, cyber, and AI technologies,” said Bo Brown, GEOHuntsville board president. “Anchored by Redstone Arsenal and strengthened by the arrival of the U.S. Space Command and the FBI, the region uniquely blends research, development and operational mission impact.

“GEOHuntsville unites government, industry and academia, including partners like NGA and USGIF, to advance geospatial excellence, collaboration, and growth. Together we’re helping shape Huntsville’s role as a global leader in geospatial innovation.”