2025 WA GIS Conference

Conference registration opens.

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!

Launching new technology is not like a field of dreams. It takes work and a solid plan to get people to buy in to using the new technology. Michael Green, an Esri adoption strategy expert, 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.

This interactive workshop is 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.

The session will cover the different implementation options available for utilities of varying readiness and technical maturity, allowing organizations to take a phased and scalable approach to adoption. A key part of the workshop will be an introduction to Esri’s newly released migration toolset, which addresses common adoption challenges and simplifies the transition process.

Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how to get started with Utility Network, how to align it with business needs, and how to build a roadmap for long-term success

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 (offered separately), it equips 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.

Are you a GIS Professional? GISP? WAGISA member? URISA member? If you answer yes, you are obligated to abide by the GIS Code of Ethics.

The Geospatial Technology Competency Model refers to the business and professional ethics. Professional ethics is a competency to be developed.

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.

During the past few years several high-profile cases related to the GIS Code of Ethics have been publicized. Are you prepared to act if placed in a situation that might require you to violate the Code? Are you able to discuss the Code with employers, colleagues, and customers to frame the ethical limits of applying geographic

We will begin this workshop by discussing the characteristics of a profession and the good and harm that professions can cause. The development and use of codes of ethics through history will be reviewed, leading to their wide use within most professions today.

The GIS Code of Ethics will be reviewed and discussed in detail. We will use case studies to understand the practical application of the various obligations defined in the Code. These include:

I. Obligations to Society

II. Obligations to Employers and Funders

III. Obligations to Colleagues and the Profession

IV. Obligations to Individuals in Society

We will also discuss the Locus Charter – A key tool we can promote for the ethical use of geospatial technology. And we will explore a possible addition to the GIS Code of Ethics.

This workshop is intended to be very interactive. We will go into breakout sessions to discuss our understanding of our obligations and how we might react in potential real-world situations.

Afternoon: WGGL/YPI Networking Activity – Young and Established Professionals (Milgard 110) 1:30pm-3:00pm

State and local governments in the United States 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.

Key topics covered include data sharing, safety asset mapping, facility mapping, ArcGIS Indoors, routing, 3D GIS, best path analysis, and evacuation planning, all achieved through the latest reality capture methods and ArcGIS technologies.

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.

Join us for a half-day workshop where we delve into the world of ArcGIS real-time data integration and analysis. This workshop is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of how real-time GIS can support decision-making through live geographic data visualization scenarios.

During the session, you will explore the capabilities of ArcGIS Velocity and discover how it can assist in problem-solving by offering immediate insights for addressing spatial challenges effectively. Through hands-on activities and interactive discussions, you will learn how to leverage real-time data to make informed decisions swiftly and accurately.

Whether you are a GIS professional, a decision-maker, or simply interested in the power of real-time geographic data, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and skills to harness the potential of real-time GIS for your projects and initiatives.

A workshop for government GIS Leaders (active and aspiring), GIS Technical Leads, GIS Admins GIS Professionals and Leaders from the region present information to their peers, with opportunities for questions and discussion.

This workshop provides an opportunity to meet peers and learn from their experience and includes a networking event with young professionals.

$50 Half Day – 1:30pm-5:00pm

Open to anyone with less than 5 years professional GIS experience regardless of age!
$25 (Free for Young Professionals* Signed up for a Morning Workshop) – 1:30pm-5:00pm
YPI Social Event: Young Professionals (Camp Colvos) 3:00pm-5:00pm

TBD.