URISA is pleased to announce the Call for Presentations for GIS-Pro 2017: URISA’s 55th Annual Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. The conference will take place October 23-26, 2017.

Abstract submissions are due on or before March 10, 2017.

The conference educational content will celebrate exemplary applications of GIS technology for emergency response, addressing, public health, transportation, economic development, land records, etc. Participants will also share best practices for GIS management and leadership, professional development, certification, and much more. This year’s conference will also include a special program track focused on preparing for the GISP Exam. (The community has asked for it, and we’re going to deliver!)

Presentation Topics to Consider

The Conference Committee has provided the following program tracks and topics list to consider. The list is not meant to be restrictive, but is provided to stimulate ideas. Feel free to think outside the box. Consider innovations, trends, technical and management topics. Propose ideas geared to GIS beginners, mid-career managers or the leaders in the field. All proposals received will be reviewed and considered for the conference program.

Young Professionals: Inspiring the Future of GIS

This track is designed to support young professionals, including students, in their career development. The sessions will provide opportunities to learn about and develop the skills and relationships that will advance their understanding of professional pathways and keys to success in the geospatial workplace.

Suggested Topics:

• Networking 101
• Mentorship
• Developing a portfolio
• Building the best resume
• Taking advantage of URISA resources and networks
• Importance of continuing education
• Value of graduate degrees
• Certification vs. Certificates
• Importance of soft skills in a social media world
• What are employers looking for in new hires?
• Crafting a job search
• And any other topics of interest for young professionals

Unlocking Your Potential: GIS Leadership & Management

From single user to enterprise systems, learn the difference between Leadership and Management and why both are critical to your organization’s GIS success. In this track, learn more about topics such as the GIS Capability Maturity Model, GIS strategic planning, and more.

Suggested Topics:

• GIS strategic planning
• Communicating benefits of GIS to decision makers
• GIS Capability Maturity Model
• Change management
• Strategies for GIS skills development
• GIS Budgeting/ROI
• Intro to GIS Leadership Academy
• Building capacity in your organization
• Share your story: What have been your success stories? What have been your challenges?
• Leading and managing within the state and local government environment
• Team building and GIS staff management
• And any other topic that is related to GIS leadership and management

GISP Exam Fundamentals: What you should know as a Professional

This track will explore the knowledge areas related to the GISP exam. It will review topics related to the exam, help attendees assess their readiness, and provide a forum for discussion.

Exam knowledge areas are grouped into the following categories:

• Conceptual Foundations
• Cartography and Visualization
• GIS Design Aspects and Data Modeling
• GIS Analytical Methods
• Data Manipulation
• Geospatial Data

We are seeking presentations that address the specific exam knowledge areas within these categories. For a complete list of these topics, please review the GISCI Geospatial Core Technical Knowledge Exam Candidate Manual.

GIS Technology for Efficiency and Effectiveness

New technology provides all types of new capabilities to do all kinds of things – some are ‘must haves’ with real return on investment; some address new business challenges; and some are simply cool. The presentations in this program track will demonstrate new GIS capabilities that meet defined needs and demonstrate value.

Suggested Topics:

• Addressing
• Aerial Photography, Remote Sensing, & LIDAR
• Agency Collaboration
• Application Development
• Architecture & Integration
• Asset Management
• Big Data
• Cartography & Map Design
• Census
• Crowdsourcing
• Benefits from Civic Engagement & Public Participation
• Education, particularly K-12 and post-secondary
• Efficient Workflows
• Emergency Response; Hazard Mitigation, NextGen 9-1-1; Hurricane or Disaster Preparation Planning
• Emerging Technologies and the Cloud
• GeoDesign
• Map Publication Systems and Applications
• Mobile Applications & GPS
• Natural Resource and Environmental Conservation Management
• Open Data
• Open Source GIS
• Public Health
• Renewable Energy & Climate Change
• Smart Cities
• Surveying
• 3D GIS
• Transportation and Transit
• Tribal GIS
• UAVs/Drones
• Urban Planning
• Utilities – Water, Wastewater, Electrical, Gas, Stormwater, Phone, Broadband, etc.
• And any other topics that demonstrate GIS capabilities

Abstract submissions are due March 10, 2017.

For complete details and an online submission form, visit GIS-Pro 2017 Call for Presentations.