GEOINT 2025 | Upslope Advisors - Aaron Kelley

Adam Simmons speaks with Aaron Kelley from Upslope Advisors at GEOINT 2025, where Aaron shares his perspective on the conference and his deep involvement in the open source geospatial community. He challenges the negative stereotype of open source as the "wild west," asserting that FOSS (Free Open Source Software) tools like QGIS are stable and well-supported, comparing QGIS and ArcGIS Pro as a "Coke Pepsi conversation" where one is free. He notes that NGA uses QGIS internally. Aaron highlights OpenStreetMap as a favorite base map for its community updates and as a reliable API for startups. He enthusiastically discusses the upcoming FOSS4G North America conference in November, emphasizing its focus on showcasing real-world use cases for mission and everyday life. Aaron shares his passion for introducing geospatial and open source tools to younger communities and mentions Upslope Advisors' recent contract supporting disaster management at the SBA using geospatial analysis.

Highlights

• Interview with Aaron Kelley from Upslope Advisors.

• Deeply involved in the open source geospatial community.

• Challenges the negative stereotype of open source ("wild west").

• Highlights FOSS tools like QGIS as stable and well-maintained.

• Notes that NGA uses QGIS internally.

• Considers OpenStreetMap a favorite base map and a great startup API.

• Mentions the upcoming FOSS4G North America conference in November.

• FOSS4G NA focuses on real-world use cases for open source technology.

• Shares a passion for getting geospatial and open source tools into younger communities (e.g., YouthMappers).

• Upslope Advisors has a contract supporting disaster management at the SBA using geospatial.