2025 WASHINGTON GIS CONFERENCE
BROUGHT TO YOU BY WAGISA
JUNE 16 - 18
University of Washington - Tacoma
William H Phillip Hall
1918 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
Monday, June 16 - Pre-Conference Workshops
Full Day of Workshops (List Below)
Tuesday, June 17 - Opening Conference Day
with Keynote Address and Presentations
Wednesday, June 18 - Second Conference Day
Full Day of Presentations in Three Tracks
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Links to other Conference pages:
The GIS Code of Ethics for GIS Professionals
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Half Day – Morning (8:30 am - 12:00 pm) on Monday June 16, 2025
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Cost: $100
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Location: UW Tacoma campus (Cherry Parkes 105)
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Instructor: Greg Babinski, MA, GISP, EthicalGEO Fellow, URISA Past-President
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Description: This workshop will help GIS professionals understand the GIS Code of Ethics and prepare them to apply it when circumstances warrant. When do circumstances warrant? Always, throughout a GIS career. Discussion of a GIS Professional's obligations to society; employers and funders; colleagues and the Profession; and to individuals in society
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Demystifying Esri's ArcGIS Utility Network
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Half Day – Morning (8:30 am - 12:00 pm) on Monday June 16, 2025
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Cost: $100
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Location: UW Tacoma campus (Pinkerton 131)
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Instructor: Kelly Auman, Esri
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Description: An interactive workshop designed to help utility professionals understand the business value of Esri’s Network Information Management System and the benefits of transitioning to the ArcGIS Utility Network. Attendees will gain insights into how modern network information management supports more efficient asset tracking, operational awareness, and cross-departmental collaboration.
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Intended Audience: Anyone interested in learning about and/or using Esri's Utility Network solution
Real-Time GIS with ArcGIS Velocity
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Half Day – Afternoon(1:30 pm - 5:00 pm) on Monday June 16, 2025
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Cost: $100
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Location: UW Tacoma campus (Pinkerton 131)
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Instructors: Ryan Richardson, Esri
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Description: In this hands-on interactive workshop we will delve into the world of ArcGIS real-time data integration and analysis. Participants will explore the capabilities of ArcGIS Velocity and develop a comprehensive understanding of how GIS can support decision-making through live geographic data visualization scenarios.
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Intended Audience: GIS technicians, GIS analysts, GIS managers
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Presenter Name: Ryan Richardson
Change Management - You Build it, Will They Come?
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Half Day – Morning (8:30 am – 12:00 pm) on Monday June 16, 2025
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Cost: $100
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Location: UW Tacoma campus (Milgard 311)
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Instructors: Michael Green, Esri adoption strategy expert
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Description: Launching new technology takes work and a solid plan to get people to buy in to using the new technology. Michael Green will walk you through the change management steps necessary to help build a healthy sponsor network, a strong communications plan and an attainable training plan to get your people on board with the GIS changes going on in your agency.
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Intended Audience: GIS Leaders, GIS Champions
Indoor GIS Technology Workshop - Half Day
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Half Day – Afternoon (1:30 pm - 5:00 pm) on Monday June 16, 2025
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Cost: $100
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Location: UW Tacoma campus (Milgard 311)
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Instructors: Brock Saylor, John Young, and Justin Fraser, all from Langan
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Description: State and local governments are increasingly requiring educational institutions and municipalities to adopt critical incident mapping (CIM) and emergency management planning to support first responders and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) during emergencies. This presentation emphasizes the significance of integrating Esri products for CIM, emergency management, and asset management, particularly focusing on indoor mapping and digital twins.
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Intended Audience: GIS Managers, Analysts, Safety & Emergency Management leaders, facility managers
Introduction to Developing a Drone Program and Uses in a Local Public Agency
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Half Day – Morning (8:30 am - 12:00 pm) on Monday June 16, 2025
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Cost: $100
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Location: UW Tacoma campus (Milgard 301)
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Instructors: Peter Keum and Keisha Chinn
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Description: This half-day session is a starting point for any organization looking to implement a drone program. As Part 1 of a two-part workshop (register separately for the other workshop). This workshop will equip you with the fundamental understanding of drone technology and the necessary regulatory landscape. Mastering these basics is crucial for building a compliant and effective drone operation.
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Intended Audience: Drone beginners
Integrating Drone Data into Your GIS Workflow: Planning, Capture, Processing, and Integration for Mapping and Modeling (Part 2)
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Half Day – Afternoon (1:30 pm - 5:00 pm) on Monday June 16, 2025
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Cost: $100
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Location: UW Tacoma campus (Milgard 301)
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Instructors: Peter Keum and Keisha Chinn
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Description: This is second part of half-day knowledge workshop aims to integrate drone technology into your GIS projects. Gain practical knowledge about various drone hardware, data processing software, and efficient project workflows, from pre-flight planning to mission execution. We will also focus on best practices for mission planning to flight plans for data processing and explore various ways to integrate these data products into GIS workflows. Learn best practices for processing drone data to create accurate maps and 3D models and discover how to effectively integrate these tools into your GIS environment to support your work and enhance your agency's business.
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Intended Audience: Drone users, professionals, and enthusiasts.
Building Your GISP Portfolio: A Hands-On Experience
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Half Day – Morning (8:30 am - 12:00 pm) on Monday June 16, 2025
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Cost: $100
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Location: UW Tacoma campus (Milgard 110)
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Instructors: Jordan Carmona, GISP
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Description: Does the thought of building a portfolio seem daunting?
Are you a learn-by-doing kind of person?
Do you work better when starting from a template?
Then this hands-on workshop for building your GISP portfolio is for you!
This workshop will briefly cover the GISP process and then dive into example-based work for documenting items in your GISP portfolio submission. We'll work through the major categories, review real-world examples, and set aside time to collaboratively work on attendee-provided examples.
Together, we'll demystify the portfolio building experience!
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Intended Audience: Individuals curious about or intending to attain their GISP certification
Young Professionals Workshop
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Half Day – Afternoon (1:30 pm - 5:00 pm) on Monday June 16, 2025
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Open to: Anyone with fewer than 5 yrs of professional GIS experience, regardless of age!
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Optional Lunch (Noon - 1:30pm)
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Cost: $25 (or free if attending conference or another workshop)
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Location: UW Tacoma campus (Milgard 110)
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Instructors: Micah Gelber, Christina Chelf, Dan Miller, Multiple Presenters
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Description: Afternoon of activities for GIS professionals early in their careers. Includes:
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Noon - 1:30pm - Optional Lunch
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1:30 - 3:00pm - WGGL/YPI Networking Activity – Young and Established Professionals
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3:00 - 5:00 pm - Young Professional Social Event
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5:00 - 7:00 pm - WAGISA Welcome Social
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Intended Audience: Young Professionals – 5 years or less of experience
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Presenter Names: Micah Gelber, Christina Chelf, Dan Miller, Multiple Presenters
Washington Government GIS Leaders Forum- Half Day
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Half Day - Afternoon (1:30pm - 5:00 pm) on Tuesday June 11, 2024
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Optional Lunch (Noon - 1:30pm)
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Cost: $50
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Description: WGGL will be putting on an afternoon workshop with a partial collaboration with WAGISA’s YPI. The beginning of the workshop (1:30pm - 3:00pm) will be a session with activities encouraging engagement between Local and State Government GIS Leaders and Young Professionals to share experiences and foster networking. Following this, from 3:15pm - 4:45pm, will be an interactive discussion about product management and leadership with ESRI’s own Michael Green. We hope to see you there!
- Location: UW Tacoma campus (Milgard 110)
- Moderated by: Max Mousseau and Stephen Beimborn (WGGL Co-Chairs) and Michael Green, Esri
The Washington Local Government GIS Leaders (WGGL) is a special interest group of the Washington GIS Association.
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To register for any Monday Workshop: first choose a Conference registration type at left. If you are not also attending the Conference on Wednesday and Thursday, choose "Workshop Only - No Conference".
Full Workshop Details: Workshops Page
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For full Conference details:
2025 WA GIS Conference pages
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Become a Sponsor!
- all who demonstrate the ability to adhere to the GISCI Code of Ethics may attend the Annual Washington GIS Conference.
- all who register for the Washington GIS Conference or for a Workshop are conferred an annual WAGISA membership
- annual WAGISA memberships are valued at $25 for Professionals and $15 for Students
- annual membership starts the first day of the Conference and will end May 1, 2026
- for new members, log in to WAGISA.org after June 16 to manage your profile, join committees and access exclusive member content
POLICIES
Conference and Workshop Cancellation Policy:
1. Cancelled registrations must be received in writing (via email) at least 10 business days before the first day of the conference for a refund of original payment made, minus a $25 cancellation processing fee.
2. Cancelled registrations received after 10 business days prior to the start of the event will not get refunded but a credit will be applied to a future WAGISA conferences and/or events within the following 12 months.
3. Registrations can be transferred to another person within the registered person’s organization.
4. There will be no refund for registered attendees who do not attend the event (no-shows).
Expectations of Attendees:
- Be kind and considerate. Respect each person and common courtesy rules for personal interaction.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Be mindful of others around you to ensure a great experience for your fellow participants.
- Behave appropriately. Refrain from displaying any demeaning, harassing, aggressive, or intimidating materials or behavior. Use welcoming and inclusive language and be respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences.
- Be professional. Dress and behave in a professional manner. Each attendee is responsible for their own behavior and actions.
- Respect property. Do not damage private or communal property.
- Follow the rules. Obey the rules and regulations.
- Report inappropriate behavior. Promptly report any behavior that makes you or others feel uncomfortable to Conference staff at the Washington GIS Conference registration desk.
Photography Policy:
Attendees at the WAGISA 2025 Washington GIS Conference may be included in photographs taken at the event and later posted on the WAGISA web site and other WAGISA communications and marketing material. Registrants for the Conference agree to be included in such WAGISA communications. If you do not want to be photographed at this event, please notify the conference staff on-site at the registration desk upon arrival.
