What Does USGIF Do?

The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) is a nonprofit organization that encourages the advancement of geospatial intelligence tradecraft and supports community building among professionals who innovate to make it happen. USGIF offers several membership levels for individuals and organizations that share its mission and want to contribute to it. USGIF also hosts various member events and programs.

Their annual GEOINT Symposium brings together academics, government leaders, military professionals, researchers and technology providers to network and strategize geospatial intelligence initiatives for an increasingly secure nation.

The symposium hosts a variety of information and networking sessions and breakouts, with access to each determined by registration level.

Every year, USGIF selects up to 24 junior professionals from a competitive application process to receive its Golden Ticket award. This year, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student Alexander “Alex” Iamartino (’26) was selected as a winner.

The Golden Ticket Award Program

Young professionals in the geospatial intelligence community seeking to optimize all the symposium offerings are encouraged to apply to the USGIF Golden Ticket program.

Golden Ticket award recipients receive a coveted full symposium access pass to that year’s GEOINT Symposium, which includes access to mentorship from leaders in the GEOINT community and additional exclusive opportunities.

How to Win the Golden Ticket

Alex is a Worldwide Campus student earning his M.S. in Space Systems while working at national security company GRVTY as an aerospace data scientist.

GRVTY has partnered with USGIF in the past to support their mission, which is how Alex originally became acquainted with the organization. When the 2026 application opened, a colleague of Alex’s who had previously received the award pushed him to apply.

“The application process was pretty involved,” he said. “You are tasked with providing a career background and answering several essay questions to see if you’re a good fit for the program.”

Alex’s young but noteworthy geospatial intelligence career, passion for the field and respect for USGIF’s mission made him an ideal candidate.

“[USGIF] is bringing the right companies into their sphere, especially at GEOINT,” he said. “USGIF is on top of their game when it comes to the geospatial world, and it is a rapidly changing landscape.”

Takeaways from GEOINT Symposium 2026

This year’s GEOINT Symposium took place from May 3–6, 2026, in Aurora, Colorado, and Alex enjoyed attending several exclusive events as a part of his award package.

“I was able to attend two training lessons with [top experts] in the geospatial intelligence field,” he said. “I had the luxury of learning about optical communications and geospatial analytics tools in those sessions.”

Golden Ticket winners also received access to inspiring networking opportunities with leaders in the field.

“I got to meet former National Geospatial Association (NGA) Director Bob Sharp,” Alex shared. “[Bob] graciously introduced other Golden Ticket winners and me to his contacts at the conference. He was really down-to-earth and willing to support the young professionals that were there."

One of Alex’s other personal highlights was connecting and bonding with his Golden Ticket peers.

“To meet people from all different career backgrounds at one conference was eye-opening, because it shows that we are all trying to learn the latest and greatest technology of geospatial intelligence.”

By the end of a weekend spent getting to know and learning from geospatial intelligence experts, Alex and his peers walked away encouraged by their experience and motivated to continue the chain of knowledge sharing and mentorship.

“We have an obligation as young professionals to help the next generation who are trying to break into the realm,” he said. “That means treating people with respect, trying to teach when possible and networking.”

GEOINT Symposium 2027 will take place May 16–19, 2027, in Kissimmee, Florida. Visit www.usgif.org to monitor news and updates regarding the Golden Ticket program and conference opportunities for 2027.

M.S. in Space Systems Strengthens Space Careers

Alex originally worked in satellite operations, but his fascination with the broader space ecosystem and his love of learning motivated him to return to school in 2024 and further his career.

“I went to high school with a number of people who went to Embry-Riddle and had a great experience ... and I knew I wanted a remote, flexible option,” he explained. “[Embry-Riddle] was the right choice for me.”

In my program, there is a big focus on building on what you have learned in previous modules, all the way up until the final project. I like how everything compounds ... everything you learn throughout the nine-week course is relevant and manageable.

Alex cited industry-relevant coursework and projects that have supported his work as an aerospace data scientist and made the investment in a graduate degree worthwhile.

“I had a low-level certification in the Systems Tool Kit (STK) software, which I use in my career, and one of my classes required that we earn a higher-level certification,” he elaborated. “[Embry-Riddle] likes to teach things that are relevant to the modern technological landscape ... It’s great because I am at the forefront of these emerging technologies.”

Alex also spoke to his ambitions to continue his studies, teach younger aerospace enthusiasts and move into management and leadership positions in the future.

“I have had such a good experience with Embry-Riddle that I would potentially like to pursue a Ph.D. in the future, and I would love to become an adjunct professor too at some point,” he said. “I do like being a technical expert, but I am inspired by leaders that I met at GEOINT and within my company, who are constantly supporting me in being a better person.”

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