"We're very big on security, obviously.

That’s what McKenna Klapperich, CEM, director, events and exhibits for the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation, told me when asked about a unique challenge related to planning the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) GEOINT Symposium.

Geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) is the analysis of imagery and geospatial data to understand human activities on Earth. It’s used by the military, first responders and other organizations.

The USGIF, a nonprofit educational foundation, is "dedicated to promoting the geospatial intelligence tradecraft and developing a stronger GEOINT community with government, industry, academia, professional organizations and individuals who develop and apply geospatial intelligence to address national security challenges."

As you may expect, USGIF’s mission is largely achieved through events.

"We provide a space for government and industry that is neutral so that they can come together and have conversations," Klapperich says.

‘ENSURE EVERYTHING IS OK’

It’s not surprising that such a gathering involves a heavy security component. And that’s one way in which a partner destination such as St. Louis can come in handy. The GEOINT Symposium is coming back to the city in 2025 after meeting there several times in recent years (including 2023), anticipating between 4,000 and 4,500 attendees May 18-21 at the America’s Center Convention Complex, along with at least 15 overflow hotels.

"We have a very heavy security team that we travel with," Klapperich says. "We often will lean on the host city quite a bit. St. Louis does a lot for us to ensure that not only our attendees are secure, but that our security teams feel well equipped in the building. We have vapor dogs that regularly patrol our space just to ensure everything is OK. It’s rare that we ever have the actual need for [them], but when you do, you are so glad that you have those vapor dogs onsite to sniff it out."

‘ACROSS THE BOARD’

Government-related meetings such as the GEOINT Symposium—which is essentially government-adjacent because it serves the intelligence community—don’t introduce radical changes but rather focus on small tweaks over time, according to Klapperich.

"It’s very interesting to try and ensure that we are showcasing something that’s at the forefront of technology but also ensuring that it doesn’t appear to be in excess," she says.

One way that Klapperich ensures an optimal experience for the attendees: food.

"We feed our attendees very well—it’s a breakfast, a.m. break, lunch, p.m. break, reception kind of thing," she says. "It’s an incentive to keep people there, so they don’t leave your show floor. It’s important to ensure that your attendees know they’re going be taken care of, and a lot of our attendees are on a very strict per diem because they’re government or government contractors."

Klapperich says the food is an important component of what attendees are going to remember when they think about your event.

"That’s a huge part of the attendee experience," she says. "People remember the food. Their base level experience as a human is ‘how to sustain myself.’"

While part of the GEOINT Symposium’s success is, of course, measured by budget and attendee satisfaction metrics, Klapperich says she can also measure success by the general feeling in the room.

"Our event is a really good size in that you still kind of know the primary players that are there," she says. "Are people really happy by the end of the show? How are they looking on the show floor? How are your exhibitors feeling? I’m always trying to look at all of it across the board."

‘PEOPLE WHO CARE SO MUCH’

St. Louis is also a good fit for the GEOINT Symposium because it’s a geospatial hub, Klapperich says. After all, the area—home of the iconic Gateway Arch—was integral to the launch of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and is known as the "Gateway to the West."

"Maps are very foundational to their culture," Klapperich says. "And the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has another headquarters office there as well. We have strong geospatial contingent in that location and a lot of our partners already have additional offices in that space as well."

The helpfulness and ongoing partnership with Explore St. Louis is also a great match, Klapperich says, along with the city’s convenience for events and offerings for all visitors.

"St. Louis has so much to offer as far as food and entertainment, and the people are so passionate about their city," she says. "That’s a really beautiful thing. Our partners in St. Louis do a lot to ensure that we feel supported on all fronts."

WHAT’S NEW IN ST. LOUIS

"History buffs will love the grand reopening of the Old Courthouse, where interactive exhibits bring pivotal moments like the Dred Scott case to life in a beautifully restored setting," says Jennifer N. Poindexter, DES (MPI St. Louis Area Chapter), director, Meet St. Louis for Explore St. Louis. "Sports fans can immerse themselves in the electric atmosphere of Energizer Park, home to St. Louis CITY SC, delivering an unforgettable Major League Soccer experience. Music lovers will be thrilled as Powell Hall unveils its stunning renovations this fall, enhancing the experience of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s legendary performances."

Poindexter says St. Louis is in the heart of America and is "more vibrant than ever"—accessible, affordable and "above all, creative."