St. Petersburg, Florida – November 9-13, 2020

Minneapolis, Minnesota – June 7-11, 2021

Portland, Oregon – August 16-20, 2021

At the same time, we have seen that the demand for GIS leadership training is higher than ever. URISA GIS Leadership Academy faculty are working optimizing delivery for instructor-led online GIS leadership training. Because the interaction of each cohort is so important in the Academy, we are limiting attendance at the first virtual GLA to thirty (30) individuals. The first Virtual URISA GIS Leadership Academy will take place during the week of August 3-7.

The curriculum emphasizes best practices and skills-based training taught by GIS experts committed to preparing others for leadership in managing challenges and figuring ways to help groups and organizations achieve their goals. As with the in-person program, attendance at the GLA earns substantial GISP® Education Points.

The cost of attending the inaugural virtual GLA will be 50% of the cost of attending the in-person event; just $600 for URISA members and $800 for nonmembers. The Virtual GLA will require Zoom meeting capabilities. We’ll start each morning at 8:00 AM Central Time, and there will be scheduled breaks, a lunch hour and optional evening networking at the Virtual Hotel Lounge.

The URISA GIS Leadership Academy has enjoyed steady and enthusiastic participation since it was first presented in 2007. Since then, nearly 900 GIS professionals have attended the specialized five-day GIS leadership and management training program that focuses on:

GIS leadership and management techniques

GIS Strategic planning

Successful team development

Organizational capacity building and sustainability strategies (ROI, innovative funding ideas)

Program investment and justification

Change management

Situation assessment and organizational performance evaluation

Ethics and professional challenges

Problem solving

The Academy is taught by GIS leaders (all are GISPs and accomplished in the field). Each GLA includes numerous interactive exercises, team-building tools, and opportunities to delve into topics in a way you cannot do at a large conference. Attendance is limited in size to encourage such interaction and the virtual GLA is capped at 30 participants.