2026 WA GIS Conference: Full Schedule

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8:00am PDT

Registration and Refreshments

Tuesday May 19, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am PDT

Meydenbauer Center

Get checked in for the conference and enjoy morning refreshments including coffee and tea, pastries, and fruit.

Tuesday May 19, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am PDT
Meydenbauer Center 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004, USA

Conference

8:30am PDT

Beginner Experience Builder Course

Tuesday May 19, 2026 8:30am - 12:00pm PDT

401-402

This introductory course provides a hands-on foundation for building web applications with ArcGIS Experience Builder.

Speakers

Mary Phillips

GIS Consultant/Analyst, Sagebrush Geospatial

Mary is a Certified Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP) with more than 30 years of experience delivering high quality geospatial solutions across local government and consulting environments. Since 2015, she has maintained her GISP certification and continues to lead... Read More →

Tuesday May 19, 2026 8:30am - 12:00pm PDT
401-402

Workshop

8:30am PDT

Real-Time GIS

Tuesday May 19, 2026 8:30am - 12:00pm PDT

409

Incorporating Real‑Time GIS into an organization’s operations workflow enables organizations to move from reactive response to proactive, data‑driven decision‑making. This workshop demonstrates how real‑time solutions such as Winter Weather Operations and Street Sweeping provide transparency for leadership and the public by visualizing live operational status, materials usage, and service coverage as events unfold. Participants will see how real‑time analytics transform streaming data into actionable metrics, allowing decision makers to track progress, measure performance, and manage resources such as salt, fuel, and labor with greater accountability. The session also highlights how big data analytics built on real‑time GIS can streamline workflows by automating data collection, reducing manual reporting, and integrating operations data into a single, authoritative operational picture. Concepts covered in this workshop are applicable to workflows beyond public works, such as emergency management and transportation. Designed for executive leadership, yet technical enough for GIS practitioners, this workshop focuses on how Real‑Time GIS drives operational efficiency, improves public trust, and delivers measurable return on investment across public works programs.

Speakers

Ryan Richardson

Solution Engineer, Esri

Ryan Richardson is a GIS professional with a passion for using technology to solve complex problems. He currently works as a Solution Engineer at Esri, supporting the State and Local Government team out of Esri's regional office in Olympia, WA. Additionally, he is a FAA Part 107 UAV... Read More →

Tuesday May 19, 2026 8:30am - 12:00pm PDT
409

Workshop

8:30am PDT

Applied Drone Mapping Workshop - From Collection to GIS Integration

Tuesday May 19, 2026 8:30am - 5:00pm PDT

407-408

Full day workshop is divided into three main parts. Part one will focus on the essential knowledge to establish and manage a successful drone program within your organization. This section covers the fundamentals of drone technology, including hardware, software, regulatory requirements, and staff training. Part 1 will also cover typical workflows and various use cases.

Speakers

TJ Abbenhaus

Senior Solution Engineer, Esri, Inc

TJ Abbenhaus, Esri Solution Engineer: He is a Senior Solution Engineer specializing in imagery, remote sensing, and geospatial workflows across the ArcGIS platform. With deep experience helping government agencies modernize legacy imagery systems, TJ focuses on guiding organizations... Read More →

Ryan Richardson

Solution Engineer, Esri

Gerry Gabrisch

GIS Manager, Lummi Nation

Gerry Gabrisch, Lummi Nation GIS Manager: Gerry holds an M.Sc. in Geography from Western Washington University, with a focus on geoprocessing and Python programming. Gerry has held an FAA Part 107 license since 2017, when Lummi (with the help and advice of Peter) started its drone... Read More →

Peter Keum

Drone Program Lead/GIS Analyst, King County

Peter Keum, M.S., GISP, King County Wastewater Treatment Drone Program Lead/GIS Analyst:. Peter is a Drone Program Lead and GIS Analyst for the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, where he merges his passion for maps with advanced drone technology. With over 28 years of GIS... Read More →

Tuesday May 19, 2026 8:30am - 5:00pm PDT
407-408

Workshop

8:30am PDT

GIS Management Boot Camp

Tuesday May 19, 2026 8:30am - 5:00pm PDT

403

GIS management is part of the knowledge economy – a system driven by knowledge, innovation, information, and experience. Intellectual capital is a GIS manager’s most valuable asset. But our intellectual capital must be nurtured by lifelong learning, professional connections, and shared experiences.

Speakers

Greg Babinski, MA, GISP, EthicalGEO Fellow

GIS Management Consultant, GIS Management Consulting Services LLC

Greg Babinski is a GIS management consultant and founder of GIS Management Consulting Services LLC and the GIS Management Academy™, located in Edmonds, Washington. Between 1998 and 2021 he served as GIS Manager, GIS Finance Manager, and GIS Marketing & Business Development Manager... Read More →

Tuesday May 19, 2026 8:30am - 5:00pm PDT
403

Workshop

12:00pm PDT

Lunch On Your Own

Tuesday May 19, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT

TBA

Lunch is on your own. Note! No outside food or drink allowed at Meydenbauer Center.

Tuesday May 19, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
TBA

Conference

12:00pm PDT

YPI & WGGL brownbag lunch

Tuesday May 19, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT

Bellevue City Hall

YPI & WGGL lunch at Bellevue City Hall. Check in at registration desk. Bring your own food.

Tuesday May 19, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Bellevue City Hall 450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Workshop

1:30pm PDT

Advanced Experience Builder Workshop

Tuesday May 19, 2026 1:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

401-402

This advanced course is designed for users who want to deepen their Experience Builder skills and create highly interactive, data driven web applications. Materials from the beginner course will be provided for participants who choose to attend only this session.

Speakers

Mary Phillips

GIS Consultant/Analyst, Sagebrush Geospatial

Tuesday May 19, 2026 1:30pm - 5:00pm PDT
401-402

Workshop

1:30pm PDT

WGGL Forum

Tuesday May 19, 2026 1:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

409

This year’s WGGL forum will follow the pattern of previous events. GIS Professionals and Leaders from the region present information to their peers, with opportunities for questions and discussion, and to meet peers and learn from their own, unique experiences. In the workshop, we will explore navigating the relationships between IT and GIS, GIS job titles, and branding your GIS. Content will be developed by a committee of presenters, but will likely be similar to past events.

Speakers

Jennifer Radcliff

GIS Program Manager, City of Tumwater

TBA

Stephen Beimborn

Manager of GIS Analysts, City of Seattle

Stephen Beimborn is the Manager of GIS Analysts for the City of Seattle. In his forty years working in the GIS field, he has done a little bit of everything, including cartography, analysis, programming, business systems integration, project and portfolio management, and people management... Read More →

Tuesday May 19, 2026 1:30pm - 5:00pm PDT
409

Workshop

1:30pm PDT

YPI Special Interest Group

Tuesday May 19, 2026 1:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

404-406

YPI Workshop at Meydenbauer Center from 1:30-3:00pm.Casual social at Zeeks 315-5pm.

Optional YPI & WGGL lunch at Bellevue City Hall 12-130.

The session will begin with a structured networking activity intended to help participants connect with peers and more experienced professionals in a supportive, low-pressure environment. Guided prompts and facilitated small-group rotations will encourage meaningful conversations around career paths, technical skill development, workplace expectations, and navigating early career challenges. Participants will leave this portion of the workshop with new contacts, conversation strategies, and a stronger sense of belonging within the geospatial community.

Speakers

YP-SIG Core Team

Emergency Management GIS Specialist/ 911 GIS Administrator, Navy Region Northwest

The Young Professionals Special Interest Group (YPSIG) is a community within Washington GIS Association (WAGISA) dedicated to supporting students, early-career professionals, and anyone with fewer than five years of experience in the geospatial field. YPSIG creates opportunities for... Read More →

Tuesday May 19, 2026 1:30pm - 5:00pm PDT
404-406

Workshop

5:00pm PDT

Welcome Social

Tuesday May 19, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT

The Redd Dog

Join us at The Redd Dog at 10598 NE 10th St, Bellevue, WA 98004. Food will be available for purchase.

Tuesday May 19, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
The Redd Dog 10598 NE 10th St, Bellevue, WA 98004

Social

2026 WA GIS Conference

Success you have shared X tickets.

2026 WA GIS Conference

8:00am PDT

8:30am PDT

Mary Phillips

8:30am PDT

Ryan Richardson

8:30am PDT

TJ Abbenhaus

Ryan Richardson

Gerry Gabrisch

Peter Keum

8:30am PDT

Greg Babinski, MA, GISP, EthicalGEO Fellow

12:00pm PDT

12:00pm PDT

1:30pm PDT

Mary Phillips

1:30pm PDT

Jennifer Radcliff

Stephen Beimborn

1:30pm PDT

YP-SIG Core Team

5:00pm PDT

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