2025 Esri Partner Conference and Developer & Technology Summit wrap-up

March 31, 2025

Fiona Hatfield

This year, members of the Esri Canada Strategic Alliances team attended the 2025 Esri Partner Conference and Developer & Technology Summit in Palm Springs, California. Discover their top highlights, opportunities and tips to help you take your business to the next level and plan for 2026!

From March 9–10, 2025, Esri Canada’s Strategic Alliances team attended the Esri Partner Conference down in Palm Springs, California, followed by the Esri Developer & Technology Summit from March 11–14. There, we had the privilege of connecting with partners, developers, innovators and our counterparts from all over the world, and learned about the latest trends and technical advancements in geospatial technology. By charging our batteries with fresh knowledge and connections, we’ve been able to bring inspiration back home with us to share with you—our Canadian business partners!

A banner that says, in bright yellow and orange letters against a dark blue backdrop, “We are happy you are here – thank you to all of the developers and partners. We appreciate you!” Surrounding the words are various vintage-inspired icons representing Palm Springs, California.

We highly recommend that if you were unable to attend one of Esri Canada’s watch parties or attend the conference in person, that you watch the Esri Development & Technology Summit Plenary livestream recordings anytime.

And in the meantime, please enjoy some of the key takeaways that each of us wanted to share with our Canadian partner community!

(L-R) Fiona Hatfield, Daniel Di Noro, Christopher Paquin and Edward Chu pose for the camera in front of a sign with the Esri logo that says “Thank you to all. We are happy you are here”.

Esri Canada Strategic Alliances team members (L-R) Fiona Hatfield, Daniel Di Noro, Christopher Paquin and Edward Chu attended the 2025 Esri Partner Conference.

From Chris Paquin, Esri Canada partner manager:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is coming to GIS! At EPC and the Developer & Technology Summit, we learned more about how ArcGIS is being enhanced with AI through AI assistants, GeoAI analysis and a new AI framework. Check out this snippet from the Developer & Technology Summit Plenary.

ArcGIS is being integrated into the Microsoft Fabric data analytics platform. Microsoft Fabric is currently in free preview mode, so check it out to discover the possibilities.
Esri is introducing a new lead generation tool for Esri Partner Network (EPN) members as a new, dynamic way for partners to receive more leads via the Partner Directory. Log into the Partner Community to find out more and to enable this feature for yourself.

From Fiona Hatfield, Esri Canada partner manager:

At EPC, we learned about the new ArcGIS Pipeline Referencing Specialty. The ArcGIS Pipeline Referencing Specialty validates EPN partners’ alignment with the ArcGIS ecosystem and roadmap, as well as their demonstrated history of working with ArcGIS Pipeline Referencing. It signals your expertise to potential customers and clients. If your company is in the energy sector, this one’s for you. Get more information about the ArcGIS Pipeline Referencing Specialty.
We also learned about how EPN members can align with Esri’s repeatable selling programs and building cutting-edge solutions with modern technology. Discover which of Esri’s selling programs best align with your goals and expertise.
Major Esri events like the EPC and the Developer & Technology Summit feature industry-specific time slots called Sector Sessions. These are key to networking and figuring out business alignment and opportunities in your areas of interest. For example, I got a lot out of this year’s Natural Resources session, which focused on GIS growth opportunities in the energy, mining, forestry and agriculture sectors. Discover 2025’s Sector Sessions to help prepare for next year.
EPC sessions are not recorded or livestreamed; this event is in-person only! You’ll miss out if you’re not on site. This event is designed for partners to maximize their opportunity to engage and sell with Esri and Esri distributors. I highly recommended that you invest in attending this annual event to grow your business with Esri and plan for subsequent years. Can’t wait to see you there in 2026!

From Daniel Di Noro, Esri Canada partner manager:

Just to echo what Fiona said above—Sector Sessions are key opportunities to learn about the sales and marketing strategies of Esri’s industry-focused business development teams and how they’re measuring success. This information is critical for partners wanting to collaborate with Esri’s business development teams on opportunities in the US and globally, so don’t miss out. Explore the list of 2025 Sector Sessions for an idea of sessions that might be held in 2026.
The new Partner Experience Centre was an excellent way for partners to connect with Esri and Esri distributors and get answers to technical, program and business questions all in one place. Check out some details about the Partner Experience Centre.

Esri Canada partner manager Fiona Hatfield stands in front of the Partner Experience Centre, a brightly-lit, custom-built space for partners to connect with Esri and its distributors at the 2025 Esri Partner Conference.

The new Partner Experience Centre was a big draw for new and returning partners to get answers to their most pressing questions. If you had a great experience at the Experience Centre, we want to hear about it!

In the EPC Plenary and infrastructure Sector Sessions, I observed an increasing demand for high-quality imagery. The new Content Store for ArcGIS, which is a response to this demand, was announced at the Plenary. Content Store simplifies access to high-quality imagery for customers and presents a new opportunity for content providers.

From Juliano Kersting, Esri Canada solution architect and Platinum/Gold Partner technical advisor:

At the 2025 EPC, we heard the announcement that Esri and Google Maps Platform will be collaborating to provide highly detailed and visually immersive 3D maps and scenes within the ArcGIS suite. Learn more by checking out the press release!
I was really pleased to be able to attend the partner awards ceremony at the EPC this year. A special shoutout to Canadian EPN member samdesk, who won the Innovation Award for successful deployment of a new field asset management system leveraging the mobile worker user type. Check out the press release.

A slide displayed on a projector screen titled “2025 EPC Award Winners”. The winners listed include Halff, OpenGov, samdesk, JMT, Sidwell, GCS, NISC, Onneer and MGT.

We’re proud of the work that EPN members do, and the EPC awards ceremony is just one of the ways we recognize that work. This year, we’re especially celebrating Canadian-headquartered partner samdesk for receiving the Innovation Award. Congratulations!

I also was pleased to hear during the Road ahead session that ArcGIS Location Platform will soon be offering basemap sessions with unlimited basemap consumption for 12 hours, priced for 1000 sessions. Stay tuned for updates!

From Edward Chu, Esri Canada partner technical solutions specialist:

Like Daniel, I’m excited about how the new commercial imagery store, Content Store for ArcGIS, will simplify the process of purchasing and integrating commercial satellite imagery within ArcGIS Online. This app, developed by Esri and SkyWatch, allows organizations to buy high-quality imagery from Esri’s cornerstone partners and other leading providers. Access the Content Store for ArcGIS app now.
GeoAI is expanding its capabilities! It can read photos for information and context; the ArcGIS Pro AI Assistant is in beta; and an AI Assistant is also coming to 3D scenes. Keep an eye out for more.
I observed a big focus on the ArcGIS Well-Architected Framework, an architecture diagramming tool within the ArcGIS Architecture Centre. Check out more architecture diagramming tools that will help you design, build and sustain systems with ArcGIS that will help you meet your business goals.

Did you miss out on EPC this year? We’ve got you covered: watch the 2025 EPC Plenary recording to get more context for all the great work Esri is doing with business partners, and to hear more about big developments we’re excited about. Or, discover more about partnering with Esri Canada.