[FOSS4G Prizren Participation Report] Participated as the First Japanese Diamond Sponsor company

From June 26 to July 2, 2023, the FOSS4G Prizren, the world’s largest OSSGIS conference, was held in Kosovo. We, Eukarya, participated in this event as Japanese first diamond sponsor (top sponsor in FOSS4G).

We participated as a diamond sponsor because as a company developing open-source WebGIS products, we wanted to contribute to the open-source community, raise the awareness of Re:Earth, increase its users, and present “how Re:Earth and Eukarya perceive open-source.”

As a diamond sponsor, we were granted:

• Booth exhibition
• Workshop (2 hours)
• Main Talk (30 minutes)
• Keynote session (30 minutes)
• B2B session’s Lightning Talk (4 minutes)

Booth Exhibition
Many people visited our booth, especially due to our status as a diamond sponsor. At the booth, there were many discussions about the technical aspects of Re:Earth. Many were particularly interested in how Re:Earth was utilized in the Project PLATEAU led by the Japanese government sector, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. At the booth, we also held a capsule toy event, a unique Japanese feature, where attendees could win prizes like T-shirts, towels, and tattoo stickers. This attracted a lot of attention, and our booth was bustling throughout.

Through interactions at the booth, there were also individuals interested in collaborating with Eukarya, leading to discussions and potential new partnerships.

Workshop
The workshop was titled “Discover the No-Code Magic of Re:Earth WebGIS.” It took place on June 27, from 9:00 to 11:00, and was attended by approximately 20 participants from various countries. The session began with an introduction to “Re:Earth,” explaining its features and capabilities. The participants ‘ expectations were high given our status as a diamond sponsor. However, the workshop proceeded in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Most of the attendees were able to grasp the basic operations of Re:Earth through the workshop. They learned how to utilize its storytelling feature, which allows users to create maps embedded with narrative elements. This feature was particularly highlighted, indicating its significance in the Re:Earth platform.

The participants were very proactive, engaging with questions and actively participating throughout the workshop. Some even went the extra mile post-workshop: they set up Re:Earth in their local environments using Docker, showcasing their enthusiasm and technical prowess. The fact that Re:Earth, as a WebGIS tool, doesn’t require installation and can be started simply with user registration was highly appreciated by the FOSS4G community. This feedback was a strong indication of the tool’s positive reception.

The workshop also served as an excellent opportunity to expand the Re:Earth community. Many participants expressed interest in creating plugins for Re:Earth, further enhancing its capabilities. The company felt a deep gratitude for the keen interest shown by participants from around the world. Some attendees even approached the team after the workshop to ask further questions or visited the booth to share their feedback, emphasizing the workshop’s success.

However, a future challenge identified was ensuring that those who learned how to use Re:Earth become active contributors to the community. Eukarya plans to continue hosting workshops on plugin development and other topics, hoping that the connections made during this event will contribute to Re:Earth’s future growth.

Talk Session
As a diamond sponsor, Eukarya was privileged with multiple speaking opportunities during the conference:

1. Main Talk (30 minutes):

• This session was dedicated to introducing “Re:Earth” to the audience. The presentation delved into the essence of Re:Earth, the innovative technologies underpinning it, and the myriad ways it can be utilized.
• The unique aspect of Re:Earth being the world’s first plugin-type WebGIS was highlighted, and attendees listened with keen interest to the technical specifications and capabilities of the platform.
• The presentation was accompanied by a video, which further illustrated the features and potential of Re:Earth.

2. Keynote Session (30 minutes):

• The keynote focused on the broader impact of Re:Earth in the world. It emphasized how, as an open-source tool, Re:Earth contributes to fostering a peaceful global community.
• The presentation narrated Eukarya’s collaborations with international organizations, notably the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Through anecdotes and case studies, the session showcased the role of Re:Earth in assisting refugees and its alignment with global peace initiatives.
• Another keynote highlight was a video presentation, which further enriched the narrative and provided visual insights into the discussed topics.

3. B2B Session’s Lightning Talk (4 minutes):

• Despite the brevity of this session, it was packed with information. The talk provided a concise overview of Re:Earth’s WebGIS functionalities and its diverse use cases.
• The session was designed to appeal to potential business partners, showcasing how Re:Earth could be integrated into various industries and sectors.

Both the Main Talk and Keynote Session were hosted on an outdoor main stage. The setting was grand, with a massive screen at the back displaying presentation materials, ensuring that the nearly 100 attendees could clearly see and grasp the content. The outdoor ambiance added to the allure of the sessions, making them memorable for the attendees.

After the sessions, many attendees approached the Eukarya team during the subsequent dinner event. They expressed their interest in Re:Earth and Eukarya as a company, indicating the successful impact of the talks and the broad appeal of the presented topics within the FOSS4G community.

Thank you
Eukarya looks forward to the next FOSS4G and aims to host it in Japan in 2025, continuing our contributions to the OSSGIS community and peace initiatives. We appreciate your continued support for Eukarya and Re:Earth.