Menu
Log in
Forgot password

WAGISA 

Washington GIS Association

Log in
Forgot password

WAGISA Awards


The Summit Award 

Award Info:

The Summit Award is presented during the annual Washington GIS Conference for highest contributions by an individual to the Washington State GIS Community.

Criteria for the Summit Award:

  • The nominee has changed the GIS profession in some "significant way.
  • The nominee shall have been practicing the profession for at least 10 years within Washington State.
  • The nominee shall have made a significant contribution to the GIS profession and community in Washington State.
  • The person should be known for their excellent work and successful projects in the GIS field.
  • The nominee should have volunteered significant time for the GIS profession and community in Washington State.
  • The nominee should not be a current WAGISA board member.


The Summit Award nomination form is available at the following link:

Summit Award Nomination Form

See a list of past Summit Award winners.


CONGRATULATIONS Stephen Beimborn 

2025 Summit Award winner        

During the opening plenary session of the 2025 Washington GIS Conference, WAGISA was pleased to present the 2025 Summit Award for GIS Person of the Year to Stephen Beimborn. 

Stephen's career with the City of Seattle spans almost 40 years. He was one of those pioneers whose career began BG (before GIS) but early on he saw its potential and worked tirelessly to bring GIS to Seattle and to help define and promote the GIS profession for those who 'do the work'. In addition to his work for SPU and the City of Seattle, Stephen was early involved with the Washington State Chapter of URISA, and later guided its transition into the Washington State GIS Association.

Congrats and thank you Stephen!


                Government Helping Government GIS Recognition Award


                We all know that person who goes over and above normal job duties, assisting others with technical issues, extra time for phone calls and answering endless questions. Here is an opportunity as a GIS community to recognize those extraordinary individuals.

                • Here are the criteria:
                  • The organization or individual is a State, county or local government who is assisting another WA government agency
                  • The time/work performed is not part of the agency or persons normal duties
                  • There is no compensation
                      There is no requirement for the person or organization to perform the work.




                        Check out the accompanying project PowerPoint Slides and StoryMaps Below!

                        King County Fish Passage Barriers: A method for multiple agencies to combine efforts for the greater good

                        Investigating Chinook spawning patterns in the face of changing climate and surveying challenges in eastern Oregon

                        Age Friendly Seattle Discount Directory


                        Richard 'Dick' Thomas Memorial Student Presentation Competition & Award

                        Here is the link to our 2022 DTA Competition Recording:


                        2022 DTA Competition


                        The Washington GIS Association (WAGISA) strives to show accomplishments of professionals in the GIS community of Washington State along with working with students who are looking into a career in the GIS field.  

                        Participants must be:

                        • Current students enrolled at least 6 hours in a relevant curriculum at a Washington State secondary school, community college, technical school, or university program, or
                        • Current Washington residents enrolled at least 6 hours in a relevant on-line GIS program
                        • The original work by the student(s)
                        • Only one submission per lead student presenter
                        • Conducted as a school project or under the supervision of a student adviser or professor
                        • Students must be enrolled in a GIS, geography, technology, or related academic program
                        • Papers should relate to geography, GIS, or allied technologies as applied to a social, natural resource, business, government, or similar subject

                          This award was established to honor Washington State GIS pioneer and mentor Richard ‘Dick’ Thomas, who passed away in 2006. The intent of this award is to honor Dick by continuing his work of encouraging students to excel in their studies and to transition successfully into careers in the field of GIS. WAGISA's objective is to inspire students to present their original work related to GIS, geography, or geographic research at the annual Washington GIS Conference.
                          Winners of the Dick Thomas award receive a generous monetary award along with a one year membership to WAGISA and free registration to the next year's WA GIS Conference. 

                          Frequently Asked Questions





                          Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software