Loading…
Tuesday, May 19
 

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
MP

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...
See More →
Speakers
RR

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
TA

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 →
RR

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 →
GG

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 →
avatar for Peter Keum

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
avatar for Greg Babinski, MA, GISP, EthicalGEO Fellow

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
MP

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 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...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Radcliff

Jennifer Radcliff

GIS Program Manager, City of Tumwater
TBA
SB

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...
See More →
Speakers
YC

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
 
Wednesday, May 20
 

8:00am PDT

Registration and Refreshments
Wednesday May 20, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Meydenbauer Center
Get checked in for the conference and enjoy morning refreshments including coffee and tea, pastries, and fruit. 
Wednesday May 20, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Meydenbauer Center 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004, USA
  Conference

9:00am PDT

Plenary and Keynote
Wednesday May 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am PDT
404-406
OpenStreetMap (OSM) is the world’s largest crowdsourced geospatial database, powering thousands of applications across corporate, government, nonprofit, and academic sectors. As an open, community-driven resource, OSM offers GIS professionals a unique platform for collaboration, innovation, and data sharing at a global scale. Far more than a map, OSM has become critical infrastructure for...
See More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am PDT
404-406
  Conference

10:30am PDT

Teaching GIS After April 24, 2026: A University Perspective on Title II WGAC 2.1 Accessibility Standards
Wednesday May 20, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am PDT
407-408
This presentation is co-authored by four Eastern Washington University faculty, Brian Buchanan, Robert Sauders, Lauren Stachowiak, and the speaker. In this presentation, we share our experiences with efforts to comply with current federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations in a university setting. The university offers a range of GIS-related courses within the curriculum and a...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Stacy Warren

Stacy Warren

Professor, Eastern Washington University
Stacy Warren is a professor of Geosciences at Eastern Washington University. She teaches a range of GIS classes at EWU, supervises student work, and adds to her gallery of GIS creations as time allows including maps for the Ice Age Floods Institute, the Palos Verdes Library District... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am PDT
407-408
  Accessibility, Teaching

10:30am PDT

Modernizing DNR's Custom GIS Viewers
Wednesday May 20, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am PDT
409
DNR maintains a suite of custom GIS viewer applications for different divisions. To improve performance and maintainability, we refactored the shared modular codebase from Angular to React. The modernization streamlined deployment, expanded functionality, and introduced an admin interface that lets business users manage layer tables, increasing flexibility while maintaining consistency across...
See More →
Speakers
AB

Anna Ballasiotes

GIS Application Developer, Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Anna is a GIS Application Developer in the IT Division at WADNR, based out of Seattle. She works at the intersection of geospatial analysis and natural resources, developing web-based tools and managing geospatial systems to address complex environmental and societal challenges and... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am PDT
409
  Mapping to the Future, DNR

10:30am PDT

Using risk & condition to develop asset management strategy
Wednesday May 20, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am PDT
403
Providing safe, sustainable water, wastewater and stormwater solutions is a critical priority for community leaders, utility managers and a reasonable expectation of citizens. Many utilities rely solely on age based deterioration to forecast asset condition and replacement strategies. This session will discuss best business practices for incorporating risk and physical condition into your asset...
See More →
Speakers
RC

Raymond Chow

Regional Sales Manager, Trimble
Raymond has been with Trimble for 2 years in his role as Regional Sales Manager working with Local Government agencies across the Pacific Northwest. Raymond has been focusing has been helping local governments agencies understand Asset Lifecycle through the Trimble Unity Suite software... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am PDT
403
  Sponsor, Trimble

10:30am PDT

Esri's GeoAI Capabilities
Wednesday May 20, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
401-402
Esri’s GeoAI capabilities fuse advanced machine learning, deep learning, and spatial analysis to automate feature extraction and accelerate insight generation across imagery, video, point clouds, text, and other geospatial data sources. By integrating pretrained models, configurable geoprocessing tools, and extensible Python APIs, ArcGIS empowers users to rapidly transform raw sensor data into...
See More →
Speakers
TA

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 →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
401-402
  Sponsor, Esri

11:00am PDT

Building the future broadband map of your county
Wednesday May 20, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am PDT
409
This presentation will walk through the broadband datasets available and how you can use them to project what broadband will look like in your county in the next few years. We will go through currently funded project and show methods for determining which locations will receive what service. This can enable your community to advocate for future investments based on what we know now!
Speakers
WN

W. Nick Pappin

Assistant Director, Washington State University
Nick Pappin is the Assistant Director of the Program for Digital Initiatives at Washington State University Extension. He spends his day helping communities understand what federal data says about their towns and county and effectively advocate for better broadband.
Wednesday May 20, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am PDT
409
  Mapping to the Future, Broadband

11:00am PDT

Happy Citizens and Empowered Agencies Using GIS Permitting Technology
Wednesday May 20, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am PDT
403
For public agencies, applying for permits, licensing and rights-of-way often results in long lines, overloaded phone systems and frustrated citizens. Incomplete application data causes repeated follow-ups, and chasing information. Agencies can make better decisions, streamline payments, and make the overall process easier for their citizens. In this session, you’ll learn how Trimble Unity...
See More →
Speakers
BR

Brett Ruoti

Director of Sales - West, Trimble
Brett has been with Trimble/Cityworks since 2016 in his role as Director or Sales for the Local Government across the United States. His primary focus has been helping local governments achieve greater coordination, accountability and efficiency through implementing Cityworks as the... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am PDT
403
  Sponsor, Trimble

11:00am PDT

GIS Digital Accessibility at the City of Seattle
Wednesday May 20, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
407-408
The GIS team in Seattle IT has partnered with a citywide digital accessibility effort to advance digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities. This presentation describes the organizational and technical strategies and tools that the City of Seattle has launched to support departmental communications teams and technical owners of GIS applications. A brief description of the City’s...
See More →
Speakers
ZS

Zinta Smidchens

Manager, GIS CADD Programs and Initiatives, City of Seattle IT GIS
Working in private and public sectors, large and small organizations, the field and the office has offered so many opportunities to see geography’s role in solving problems.

After earning a B.Sc. from the University of Toronto, Zinta Smidchens began at the Indiana Geological Survey, mapping Lake Michigan’s post-glacial shoreline history and much older deposits exposed on the rock faces in Indiana’s limestone quarries. On the west coast, Zinta joined... Read More →
avatar for Catherine Wendland

Catherine Wendland

GIS Analyst, City of Seattle
As a GIS Analyst for the City of Seattle, Catherine Wendland is on a mission to elevate how GIS serves both City staff and the public. She specializes in training, guidance, and refining centralized GIS standards, ensuring Seattle’s hundreds of GIS users are equipped to navigate... Read More →
SB

Suzy Brunzell

WebGIS Program Manager, City of Seattle
Suzy Brunzell serves as the City of Seattle WebGIS Program Manager. Her professional goals involve maintaining a highly functional Web GIS environment where users can operate effectively with confidence in the data and content available to them. At work, nothing makes Suzy happier... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
407-408
  Accessibility, Seattle

11:30am PDT

Mapping Aquatic Biodiversity in Washington using Environmental DNA
Wednesday May 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
409
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Aquatic Biodiversity Study, led by the Native Aquatic Species Unit, documents species presence across Washington’s river systems using environmental DNA (eDNA). eDNA sampling identifies organisms by collecting genetic material shed into the environment, without the need for direct observation or capture. Samples are analyzed using a DNA...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Allison Ying

Allison Ying

Application Developer, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Allison Ying (she/her) is an Application Developer at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. She works with the Inland Fish Unit, building new data tools for freshwater species management and conservation efforts. She started with the Native Aquatic Species Unit, where she... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
409
  Mapping to the Future, Environment

11:30am PDT

Modernizing Valuation: Leveraging GIS to Improve Assessment
Wednesday May 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
403
Explore how Assessors are using GIS to enhance valuation accuracy, uncover inequities, and improve efficiency across the assessment process. Learn how configurable maps and data-driven workflows support the analysis of sales, help assess the impact of special assessments, and provide deeper insight into neighborhood trends. See how tracking parcel history over time adds critical context for...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Kyle Wikstrom

Kyle Wikstrom

Solutions Director, Pro-West & Associates
Kyle Wikstrom is a GIS Solutions Director with over a decade of experience leading teams in the design and delivery of scalable GIS solutions. He focuses on solution strategy, organizational alignment, and helping leaders understand how GIS can drive long-term value across their... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
403
  Sponsor, Pro-West

11:30am PDT

One and a half centuries of topographic mapping at USGS
Wednesday May 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
401-402
The first USGS topographic maps in 1884 started as hand-engraved copper plates, and in the early 1900s, relief was hand-shaded. By the 1960s, maps were scribed on mylar sheets, labels were applied letter by letter, and technicians field-verified map features. Since 2009, maps are made using GIS software with remotely sensed data, produced on a predefined grid, and updated every three years. The...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Elaine Guidero

Elaine Guidero

National Map Liaison, U.S. Geological Survey
Elaine started at USGS as an applied researcher in multi-scale cartography. She is now the National Map Liaison to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas.
Wednesday May 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
401-402
  Technology, USGS

12:00pm PDT

Lunch
Wednesday May 20, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Meydenbauer Center
Boxed lunches will be provided at Meydenbauer Center. Enjoy your lunch in the ballroom, hallways, or take it to the outdoor terrace and get some fresh air! There will be four options to choose between on-site. 
Wednesday May 20, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Meydenbauer Center 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004, USA
  Conference

1:30pm PDT

Identifying Wildfire Risk Using Geospatial Technology
Wednesday May 20, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
409
As heat, drought, and fuel accumulation converge, wildfires are intensifying across the Western United States. At the same time, expanding human development into wildland areas is placing infrastructure and lives at greater risk. Geospatial science has a critical role to play, but doing so effectively requires accurate, appropriately-scaled data. While excellent datasets exist for broad landscape...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Molly Jackson

Molly Jackson

GIS Manager, GeoTerra, Inc.
I live in Maple Valley, WA and work from home. I came to GIS via geological sciences and love to explore how maps and data can illustrate our natural world. Outside of work my family, hiking, reading, and gardening keep me happy and busy. 
Wednesday May 20, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
409
  Remote Sensing, Risk

1:30pm PDT

GIS Career: How to Map it?
Wednesday May 20, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
407-408
This panel discussion brings together experienced GIS professionals and hiring managers to explore practical strategies for launching and advancing a career in Geographic Information Systems. Designed for recent graduates and early-career GIS analysts, the session will address the evolving landscape of the geospatial industry, including in-demand technical skills, emerging tools and technologies,...
See More →
Speakers
SO

Shaun O'Neil

GIS Supervisor, King County Wastewater Treatment – WTD
Shaun O’Neil supervises the GIS group for the King County Wastewater Treatment Division. In his 28 years at King County, Shaun has supported planning and asset management issues with a particular focus on sewer conveyance assets, Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI), and climate... Read More →
avatar for David Kreinheder

David Kreinheder

GIS Data Architect & Interim GIS Manager, King County IT GIS Center
David is an architect at King County and is the interim leader of the King County GIS Center. David focuses on data modernization and cloud migration for King County. His work on King County's AI-GIS SEPA response system earned the 2025 ESIG Award from the Geospatial Professional... Read More →
avatar for Nat Henry

Nat Henry

Director of Henry Spatial Analysis, Henry Spatial Analysis
Nat's work focuses on applied spatial statistics and spatial software development to address health, mobility, and urban sustainability issues for primarily nonprofit clients. He maintains Close, a nationwide multimodal travel time database; and OpenPOIs, a unified open dataset for... Read More →
avatar for Catherine Crook

Catherine Crook

Director of Spatial Analytics, Quanta Services
Catherine is a Director of Spatial Analytics at Quanta Services with over 20 years of experience in GIS across the government and commercial sectors. My work focuses on geospatial analytics for telecom and infrastructure planning, including the development of the QuantiFi market analysis... Read More →
avatar for Katie Heim

Katie Heim

Enterprise Data and Technology Manager, City of Arlington
Katie’s responsibilities cover the City’s GIS and asset management programs, which inventory and track maintenance on all Public Works assets, including utilities and transportation. In addition, her group provides a variety of services to all City departments, including data... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
407-408
  Career & Leadership, Career

1:30pm PDT

Using GIS to Understand Tribal Treaty Rights
Wednesday May 20, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
403
The Tulalip Tribes were signatories of the Treaty of Point Elliot, 1955. This treaty established the Tulalip Tribes Reservation as well and provided for access to treaty reserved resources, including "hunting and gathering roots and berries on open and unclaimed lands". It further reserved "[t]he right of taking fish at usual and accustomed grounds and stations". Interpreting these words onto maps...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Michelle Totman

Michelle Totman

Environmental Data Coordinator, The Tulalip Tribes
Michelle Totman has been working for the Tulalip Tribes Natural Resources Department for over a decade. In this time, she has had the honor of working with tribal members, Natural and Cultural Resources staff, and legal advisors to develop maps that help others understand the complexities... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
403
  Explorations in GIS, Advocacy

1:30pm PDT

Zero to Production: A GIS Professional's Process for Building Real Apps with AI
Wednesday May 20, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
401-402
Since December, I have been building open-source GIS tools on my own time, learning what it actually takes to deliver production-ready applications using AI. I started as a GIS developer. Today I am a manager. Both perspectives matter here, but this talk is not about management. It is about process. The most important thing I learned was the difference between "vibe coding," where AI drives, and...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Adam Cabrera

Adam Cabrera

Map and AI Whisperer, MapSimple
Adam Cabrera is a GIS professional with 30 years of experience spanning the full arc of the industry, from command-line tools to modern web frameworks. He serves as Geo Engineering Manager at the King County GIS Center, where he leads a team building public-facing geospatial appl... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
401-402
  Technology, AI

2:00pm PDT

Drone to map, Now What? – KC Wastewater Drone Program to Support Sustainable Infrastructure
Wednesday May 20, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
409
The King County Wastewater Treatment GIS Drone Program utilizes drones to collect high-resolution aerial imagery. This imagery is processed to generate detailed 3D models, which are then integrated with the wastewater treatment's capital project layer to spatially align field conditions with planned infrastructure work. The combined data is converted into Esri 3D Scene Layers, enabling optimized...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Joseph Geigel, GISP

Joseph Geigel, GISP

GIS Specialist, King County Wastewater Treatment Division
Joe Géigel is a GIS Specialist with the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, where he has worked since 2023. He earned his GISP certification that same year. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Puerto Rico (2016) and a Master’s degree in GIS for... Read More →
avatar for Peter Keum

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 →
JC

Jason Celeste

GIS Specialist, King County Wastewater Treatment Division
Jason Celeste is a GIS Specialist with King County Wastewater Treatment Division, bringing over 20 years of experience in geospatial technology and analysis to wastewater infrastructure management. Jason holds a BA in Geography/GIS from the University of Buffalo.

Throughout his career, Jason has provided geospatial support to government clientele including USGS, US Air Force, FEMA, as well as many Tribal government agencies to support transportation asset management. This body of work includes field data collection, spatial analysis, web ap... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
409
  Remote Sensing, Drone

2:30pm PDT

Break Time
Wednesday May 20, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Meydenbauer Center
Unwind and have refreshments in the hallway along the terrace
Wednesday May 20, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Meydenbauer Center 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004, USA
  Conference

3:00pm PDT

Land Cover for Environmental Applications
Wednesday May 20, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
409
High resolution land cover datasets have become essential for a variety of environmental assessment and monitoring applications. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has been creating High Resolution Land Cover (HRLC) data to supplement the change detection dataset since 2010 – with an original purpose of evaluating riparian habitat conditions. WDFW's High Resolution Land Cover dataset...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Kevin Fuchs

Kevin Fuchs

GIS & Imagery Analyst, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Kevin Fuchs is a GIS and Imagery Analyst at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, where he helps produce High Resolution Land Cover (HRLC) and High Resolution Change Detection (HRCD) data while supporting riparian analyses and figuring out how to process huge datasets. Kevin... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
409
  Remote Sensing, Land Cover

3:00pm PDT

What "They" Don't Tell You About WAB-to-ExB Migration
Wednesday May 20, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
401-402
Modernizing a complex, long-lived GIS application is harder than it looks on paper. King County's iMap has served residents and agencies for years, and rebuilding it on ArcGIS Experience Builder Developer Edition meant confronting real challenges that go well beyond swapping frameworks. In this presentation we will walk through the real obstacles we encountered and how we navigated them. Along...
See More →
Speakers
HK

Harkeerat Kang

GIS Engineer, King County
Harkeerat Kang is a GIS professional with over 25+ years of experience working in public sector. Her focus mostly has been on designing, implementing, integration of systems, application development and solution architecting.
avatar for Adam Cabrera

Adam Cabrera

Map and AI Whisperer, MapSimple
Adam Cabrera is a GIS professional with 30 years of experience spanning the full arc of the industry, from command-line tools to modern web frameworks. He serves as Geo Engineering Manager at the King County GIS Center, where he leads a team building public-facing geospatial appl... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
401-402
  Technology, ExB

3:00pm PDT

GIS vs. IT—or GIS with IT? Defining the Future of Enterprise GIS
Wednesday May 20, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
407-408
As GIS evolves into a core enterprise capability, its alignment with IT is critical to organizational success. This panel brings together leaders from government and the private sector to explore how high-performing GIS programs are structured, governed, and sustained. Panelists will examine the tension between supporting line-of-business needs and advancing enterprise platforms, and how emerging...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Fernando Llamas Jr

Fernando Llamas Jr

Administrative Services Director, City of Burien
Fernando Llamas Jr. is the Administrative Services Director for the City of Burien, Washington, where he leads four divisions: City Clerk, Communications, Human Resources, and Information Systems. He has served the City since 2007, rising through every level of its technology and... Read More →
avatar for Tamara Davis

Tamara Davis

Chief Technology Officer, King County
As CTO at King County, I’ve spent my career serving the county across multiple agencies, leading teams through complex application migrations, building enterprise GIS capabilities, and keeping mission-critical infrastructure running while modernizing it at the same time. I care... Read More →
ZS

Zinta Smidchens

Manager, GIS CADD Programs and Initiatives, City of Seattle IT GIS
Working in private and public sectors, large and small organizations, the field and the office has offered so many opportunities to see geography’s role in solving problems.

After earning a B.Sc. from the University of Toronto, Zinta Smidchens began at the Indiana Geological Survey, mapping Lake Michigan’s post-glacial shoreline history and much older deposits exposed on the rock faces in Indiana’s limestone quarries. On the west coast, Zinta joined... Read More →
avatar for Sabra Schneider

Sabra Schneider

Chief Information Officer, City of Bellevue
Sabra Schneider, named one of the top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers in 2024 from Government Technology Magazine, currently serves as the Chief Information Officer for the City of Bellevue, Washington. Bellevue consistently ranks in the top five digital cities in the country. 
... Read More →
JO

Jill Oliver

Geospatial Science Leader, Anchor QEA
Jill Oliver is the Geospatial Science Lead at Anchor QEA an environmental and engineering consulting firm. She has over 25 years of experience specializing in GIS and GIS systems architecture from Esri’s ArcIMS platform to ArcGIS Enterprise and designed what Anchor QEA works with... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
407-408
  Career & Leadership, Leadership

3:00pm PDT

Building Statewide GIS Career Pathways to Agriculture and Natural Resources
Wednesday May 20, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
403
Agriculture and natural resource (ANR) jobs are expected to increase in Washington, yet employers struggle to find applicants with the skills needed to succeed in this industry. Our presentation will describe how PEI works with employers, K-12 and post-secondary education, and tribes to use GIS to build ANR Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways that address employer-identified barriers to...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Heather Spalding

Heather Spalding

Associate Director of Green Jobs, Pacific Education Institute
Heather Spalding is PEI's Associate Director of Green Jobs and Career Connect Washington’s sector leader for agriculture and natural resources. She builds career pathways with K-12 districts, employers, tribes, and workforce and post-secondary partners. She has developed sustainability... Read More →
DC
avatar for Jeffry Rhodes

Jeffry Rhodes

STEM Teacher, Riverview Learning Center
Jeffry Rhodes is a Math/Science/CTE Teacher at the Riverview Learning Center in Carnation, WA. He taught the restoration ecology-focused summer Youth Engaged in Sustainable Systems (YESS) program in partnership with Riverview School District, WANIC Skills Center, Mountains to Sound... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
403
  Sponsors & Career, Career

3:30pm PDT

High Resolution C-CAP Land Cover Data for Puget Sound
Wednesday May 20, 2026 3:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
409
For over three decades, NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management has produced consistent, accurate land cover and change information through its Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP), available through the Digital Coast. C-CAP land cover data have been essential for comprehensive regional management, assessment, and planning. In recent years, NOAA has moved toward higher-resolution (1-meter)...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Bret Folger

Bret Folger

West Coast Regional Geospatial Coordinator, Lynker/NOAA Office for Coastal Management
Bret facilitates and extends regional outreach, communication, collaboration, and technical assistance to partners in all aspects of geospatial data for coastal management. He informs the development of NOAA Digital Coast data and tools that meet the region's unique needs through... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 3:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
409
  Remote Sensing, Land Cover

3:30pm PDT

Beyond the Prompt: Finding and Following the Golden Thread in Long-Duration AI-Centric GIS Projects
Wednesday May 20, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
401-402
Every long-duration project needs a golden thread -- the through-line that holds direction when things pivot, stall, regress, and push forward. When AI is doing most or all of the work over weeks or months, that thread is what keeps you and the model aligned. This talk draws on lessons from multiple large AI-built projects, many still ongoing, spanning Esri-based and other GIS-related products,...
See More →
Speakers
TR

Tim Rawson

Software Developer, Dymaptic
Software engineer with a diverse background, including experience in government, military, and business. Brings GIS experience in both field/operational and support roles. Has worked at dymaptic since 2022 and is a member of the Development Team, collaborating with the GIS Development... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
401-402
  Technology, AI

4:00pm PDT

Cover Crop Mapping in Skagit County: A Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing Approach
Wednesday May 20, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
409
Sustainable farming practices can limit the impacts of climate change on crop production while maintaining soil and water health for local communities. Cover cropping involves the planting of vegetation on agricultural fields during the non-growing season and provides multiple agronomic benefits including reduced soil erosion and nutrient runoff, lower water pollution risks, and improved soil...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Emma Tomaszewski

Emma Tomaszewski

GIS Specialist, Skagit Conservation District
Emma Tomaszewski is a GIS Specialist at the Skagit Conservation District, where she supports conservation outreach and education through mapping and geospatial analysis. She holds a Master's degree in Ecology and brings over a decade of experience applying spatial analysis and data... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
409
  Remote Sensing, Land Cover

4:00pm PDT

From Maintenance Burden to Innovation Engine
Wednesday May 20, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
403
Organizations today face a growing gap between the potential of their GIS investments and how their teams spend their time. While modern GIS platforms enable advanced analytics, real-time insights, and emerging technologies like AI, many teams remain focused on system maintenance and administration.This session explores the “innovation paradox,” where operational demands limit the ability to...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for James Gutierrez

James Gutierrez

Account Executive, Cybertech
James Gutierrez is an Account Executive at CyberTech Systems and Software with eight years of experience helping state and local governments get more from their GIS investments. His work focuses on modernizing geospatial environments so teams can spend less time managing systems and... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
403
  Sponsors & Career, Cybertech

4:10pm PDT

OSM Efforts to Support Safe Routes to School
Wednesday May 20, 2026 4:10pm - 4:25pm PDT
407-408
Safe Routes to School is a nationwide program that supports families in helping children travel to school safely and actively—whether by walking, biking, or rolling. Within OpenStreetMap, we’re exploring how mapping can play a meaningful role in that effort.This presentation will highlight ways contributors can map pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure around local schools, including key...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Clifford Snow

Clifford Snow

Volunteer Contributor to OpenStreetMap, OpenStreetMap US
I am a volunteer contributor to OpenStreetMap and a member of the OSM US Pedestrian Working Group and Governance Committee. I also serve on the OpenStreetMap Foundation’s Data Working Group, where I help address mapping issues worldwide.
Wednesday May 20, 2026 4:10pm - 4:25pm PDT
407-408
  Explorations in GIS, Open Data

4:30pm PDT

Sponsor and Main Conference Social
Wednesday May 20, 2026 4:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Meydenbauer Center
Socialize with Conference Vendors and your fellow attendees at the Sponsor and Main Conference Social. A variety of appetizers and one drink ticket will be provided per guest. Additional beverages may be purchased. 

Additionally, the Map and App Competition will occur from 430-5pm. Speak with presenters and place your vote for the winners!
Wednesday May 20, 2026 4:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Meydenbauer Center 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004, USA
  Social
 
Thursday, May 21
 

8:00am PDT

Registration and Refreshments
Thursday May 21, 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. 
Thursday May 21, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am PDT
Meydenbauer Center 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004, USA
  Conference

8:30am PDT

Kayak-Based Citizen Science: Mapping Real-Time Water Temperature in Puget Sound with GIS
Thursday May 21, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am PDT
409
EcoTrackrs is a GIS-driven citizen science initiative by EarthViews Conservation Society designed to address a critical gap in nearshore monitoring: the lack of high-resolution, spatially distributed water temperature data in Puget Sound. Existing monitoring systems are often fixed or coarse in scale, limiting their ability to capture localized variability driven by climate change, shoreline...
See More →
Speakers
BF

Brian Footen

Director/Expedition Lead, EarthViews Conservation Society
Brian Footen is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of EarthViews Conservation Society, where he directs the application of GIS and immersive mapping technologies to protect waterways across Washington State and the Western U.S. With over 20 years of experience working with Tribal... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am PDT
409
  Environment, RT Mapping

8:30am PDT

Hexagon Content Program – off-the-shelf aerial ortho imagery and elevation data
Thursday May 21, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am PDT
403
The HxGN Content Program, Hexagon’s aerial data program, offers the largest library of aerial imagery and elevation data across the United States. Hexagon designs and integrates airborne sensors, schedules and flies aerial missions, as well as processes the data using optimized software to the highest levels of photogrammetric and radiometric quality. This presentation provides highlights of the...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Rob Eadie

Rob Eadie

Partner Manager, Hexagon
Rob Eadie joined the Hexagon Content Program in 2021 as Partner Manager. Rob has spent his entire career in the geospatial industry working in the areas of aerial/satellite photogrammetry, satellite remote sensing, airborne LIDAR and IFSAR mapping, with a variety of roles in production... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am PDT
403
  Sponsor, Imagery

8:30am PDT

A Tale of Two Experience Builders: Migrating Tacoma's Map Applications
Thursday May 21, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am PDT
401-402
Two of the City of Tacoma's most foundational and complex web map applications are the Equity Index and Staff DART (an internal, "kitchen-sink" application). Over the course of 2025, we migrated both of these highly customized applications to Esri's Experience Builder. We’ll share how we preserved core functionalities, enhanced design and usability, and improved performance. Along the way, we...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Alicia Bradshaw

Alicia Bradshaw

Senior GIS Analyst, City of Tacoma
Alicia Bradshaw is a Senior GIS Analyst at the City of Tacoma where her primary role is to curate the City’s GIS data. She has 10 years of GIS-related experience ranging from research about brownfield redevelopment in Michigan to stormwater education and public transportation planning... Read More →
IL

Idalis Laboy Cintron

GIS Analyst, City of Tacoma
Idalis Laboy Cintron is a GIS Analyst for the City of Tacoma with 8 years of experience in the GIS industry, where she manages the City’s authoritative spatial data, ensuring it supports internal operations and public-facing applications. Her experience also extends to vector tiles... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am PDT
401-402
  Technology, ExB

8:30am PDT

The Notebook: [Python] has always been enough
Thursday May 21, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am PDT
407-408
A love letter, or rather, 365 love letters to the Python Notebook. This presentation will cover the when, where, and how to use Python Notebooks; gotchas to watch out for and quality of life tweaks to make; lastly, preserving your romance for your future self through effective version control.
Speakers
avatar for Jordan Carmona, GISP

Jordan Carmona, GISP

GIS Solutions Supervisor, County of Pierce
Jordan Carmona is a GIS Supervisor, whose team is responsible for GIS application development and infrastructure within the Spatial Services unit at Pierce County, Washington. He began working professionally in 2014 and has worked in a variety of sectors: private consulting, municipal... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am PDT
407-408
  Technology, Python

9:00am PDT

Using GIS to calculate geomorphological change in a river system over time
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:00am - 9:30am PDT
409
We used ArcGIS Pro to determine channel migration over time in a river system in North Dakota. The discipline of geomorphology has defined parameters that describe river migration, but there are no accepted methodologies for measuring these parameters in the real world. Using GIS, we came up with unique methodologies, some built on published papers and others built from scratch. The result is a...
See More →
Speakers
KM

Katie Messick

GIS Analyst/Staff Scientist, WEST Consultants, Inc.
Katie Messick holds master’s degrees in GIS and Forestry from the University of Washington and has been using GIS in her work for 25 years. She has spent the last 10 years as a GIS Analyst and Staff Scientist at WEST Consultants, Inc., which is a small water resources engineering... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:00am - 9:30am PDT
409
  Environment, Geomorphology

9:00am PDT

‘My Job Would be Impossible Without GIS!’ GIS Makes the Impossible Possible
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:00am - 9:30am PDT
403
In conducting various GIS return on investment studies, I utilize the ‘with versus without’ GIS ROI methodology developed by Professor Richard Zerbe of the University of Washington Evans School of Public Administration. With this methodology we ask GIS users to estimate how much time it would take them to do their job tasks without GIS. Although most users can conceptualize an answer to this...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Greg Babinski, MA, GISP, EthicalGEO Fellow

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 →
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:00am - 9:30am PDT
403
  Sponsor, Advocacy

9:00am PDT

The Power of Digital Twins: From Complex Data to Operational Insights.
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:00am - 9:30am PDT
401-402
Digital Twins will not visit your in-laws while you stay home and watch Netflix. They do, however, have many other uses including automated precise measurement, asset management, and immersive realistic visualization. This presentation will discuss concepts and examples of digital twins in both built and natural systems. From data collection to spatial analyses and operational integration, this...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Mischa Hey

Mischa Hey

Analytics Practice Lead, NV5 Geospatial
Mischa Hey is the Analytics Practice Lead at NV5G and has 25 years of experience developing applied geospatial solutions. With a broad understanding of remote sensing technologies and exceptional technical abilities, Mischa leads the field in the development and deployment of biophysical... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:00am - 9:30am PDT
401-402
  Technology, Digital Twin

9:00am PDT

Using Native SQL Geometry for Cloud-Ready, Lightning-Fast Overlays
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:00am - 9:30am PDT
407-408
Serving high volume, complex reports that require querying dozens of GIS layers for a single parcel is a major performance hurdle. Our Districts and Development Conditions Report simultaneously queries nearly 60 layers, which has the potential to severely impact application performance. This session details the architectural overhaul we implemented to overcome this challenge without changing the...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Fred Lott

Fred Lott

GIS Developer, King County
Fred is with the Geo Engineering team of the King County GIS Center and focuses on application development and data analysis.
HK

Harkeerat Kang

GIS Engineer, King County
Harkeerat Kang is a GIS professional with over 25+ years of experience working in public sector. Her focus mostly has been on designing, implementing, integration of systems, application development and solution architecting.
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:00am - 9:30am PDT
407-408
  Technology, SQL

9:30am PDT

Spatial patterns of foraging activity in endangered killer whales shift with changes in Chinook salmon abundance
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am PDT
409
Critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) rely heavily on Chinook salmon as their primary food source. Declining salmon stocks, coupled with vessel noise and habitat degradation, are pushing the population towards an extinction vortex. By integrating 20 years of SRKW behavioral research with a regional Chinook salmon index, we developed spatial models to compare whale...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Kimberly Nielsen

Kimberly Nielsen

Research Associate, Oceans Initiative
Kimberly is a marine ecologist driven by a deep commitment to using science to support conservation. Her work has taken her from the Northeast Pacific to Antarctica, studying how highly mobile species like cetaceans respond to environmental and anthropogenic change.

She is currently a Research Associate with the non-profit Oceans Initiative, where she contributes to a broad range of applied conservation research. Her work spans field-based data collection, spatial and statistical modeling, and scientific writing, with a focus on translating data... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am PDT
409
  Environment, Whales

9:30am PDT

A GIS Workflow for 3D Printing Topographic Models
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am PDT
403
Digital elevation models are primarily interacted with through a screen, but they can become powerful physical tools for visualization, teaching, and storytelling. This presentation explores the creation of tangible 3D printed topographic maps, transforming digital elevation data into physical models that make landscapes easier to interpret and engage with. Building on a session presented at GIS...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Noah Flick

Noah Flick

Geospatial Mapping Hardware Representative, Frontier Precision
Noah Flick is a geospatial professional in the Pacific Northwest whose work focuses on the systems that transform satellite signals into usable spatial data. He works with Frontier Precision at the intersection of GIS, surveying, and GNSS, with a particular focus on field instrumentation... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am PDT
403
  Sponsor, Topo

9:30am PDT

Chehalis River Basin Early Flood Warning System - A Decision Support Tool
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am PDT
401-402
This presentation will describe how GIS is used as a decision support tool providing critical and timely information to citizens and first responders in the flood-prone Chehalis River Basin as well as to communicate the value of continued investment in early flood warning to stakeholders. To highlight the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority (CRBFA) team’s National Hydrologic Warning Council...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Harvey, MGIS, GISP

Sarah Harvey, MGIS, GISP

GIS Analyst, WEST Consultants, Inc.
Sarah Harvey is a certified GISP with more than 20 years of experience in GIS. She has spent the last 19 years as an analyst with WEST Consultants, Inc., a small engineering firm specializing in hydraulics and hydrology. Her expertise includes flood analysis and inundation mapping... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am PDT
401-402
  Technology, Flood

9:30am PDT

Covington Water District Chat Bot
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am PDT
407-408
This presentation describes an AI application developed for Covington Water District that combines conversational AI with GIS-based utility analysis. The application includes dedicated GIS routes for parcel water availability and meter lookup, allowing users to ask natural-language questions about whether water service is available to a property, whether nearby infrastructure exists, and what...
See More →
Speakers
SB

Shawn Buck

GIS Engineering Analyst, Covington Water District
Shawn Buck, GISP
GIS Engineering Analyst at Covington Water District
Shawn is a GIS Analyst with over 15 years of experience in local government. He holds a Master's degree in Geospatial Technologies from the University of Washington. Throughout his career, Shawn has demonstrated a profound passion for data and technology, leveraging GIS technology... Read More →
DD

Dan Dulan

Covington Water
Thursday May 21, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am PDT
407-408
  Technology, AI

10:00am PDT

Break Time
Thursday May 21, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am PDT
Meydenbauer Center
Unwind and have refreshments in the hallway along the terrace
Thursday May 21, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am PDT
Meydenbauer Center 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004, USA
  Conference

10:30am PDT

Advancing Spatial Data Collaboration for Ecosystem Recovery: An Overview of the PSEMP Spatial Data Work Group
Thursday May 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am PDT
409
Spatial data is essential for understanding complex environmental systems, informing decisions, and coordinating actions across jurisdictions and organizations. The Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program (PSEMP) Spatial Data Work Group (SDWG) is a collaborative network of spatial data users, producers, and intermediaries dedicated to advancing the effective use of spatial data in support of...
See More →
Speakers
TZ

Tyson Z Waldo

North Sound SSHIAP Biologist, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
Tyson has been working as a regional salmon habitat biologist and GIS analyst for the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) for over 20 years. He was integral in developing the Salmon and Steelhead Inventory and Assessment Project (SSHIAP) database at the Northwest Indian... Read More →
avatar for Mike Leech

Mike Leech

Technology Services Practice Leader, Environmental Science Associates (ESA)
Mike Leech is the Technology Services Practice Leader at Environmental Science Associates (ESA) and serves as Coordinator for the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program (PSEMP) Spatial Data Work Group (SDWG). He brings over 20 years of experience leading geospatial, data management... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am PDT
409
  Environment, PSEMP

10:30am PDT

A Journey of GIS Data Integration into an Asset Management System
Thursday May 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
407-408
A Journey of GIS Data Integration into an Asset Management System – Eliud Flores Saenz – City of Pullman This presentation details the path the City of Pullman took in preparing its GIS data into a third-party asset management system. It will discuss the challenges, insights, and lessons learned during that process, as well as the strategies that were implemented and devised to centralize...
See More →
Speakers
EF

Eliud Flores Saenz

GIS Analyst, City of Pullman
Eliud Flores Saenz is a GIS Analyst with the City of Pullman, where he serves as one of the organization’s GIS data stewards. With three years of municipal GIS experience, he works on a variety of projects spanning data management, asset tracking, and operational support for city... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
407-408
  Government, EAM

10:30am PDT

Celestial Infrastructure: The History, Science, and Future of Global Satellite Positioning
Thursday May 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
403
In 1957, physicists at Johns Hopkins listened to Sputnik’s radio beacon and unintentionally laid the groundwork for satellite navigation. What followed was one of the most ambitious engineering efforts in modern history: a constellation of satellites, atomic clocks, control stations, and launch campaigns that has evolved for more than four decades. This presentation traces the development of...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Noah Flick

Noah Flick

Geospatial Mapping Hardware Representative, Frontier Precision
Noah Flick is a geospatial professional in the Pacific Northwest whose work focuses on the systems that transform satellite signals into usable spatial data. He works with Frontier Precision at the intersection of GIS, surveying, and GNSS, with a particular focus on field instrumentation... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
403
  Sponsor, GPS

10:30am PDT

How to Build a Production App and ETL in One Week(ish)
Thursday May 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
401-402
“We need this application ASAP!” Have you received this type of request before for a complex application? In this session we will walk through how a Restaurant Safety Ratings Application was created — from raw SQL data to a polished public-facing web application — designed, built, and deployed in roughly one week using a combination of Experience Builder and AI-assisted development. The...
See More →
Speakers
BK

Bill Keller

GIS IT Engineer, King County
Bill has a broad GIS background from field work at Yellowstone to WebGIS administration at King County where he also leads a WebGIS Coaching group.
Thursday May 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
401-402
  Technology, ETL

10:30am PDT

Dick Thomas Award Presentations
Thursday May 21, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
404-406
Join us to celebrate the incredible work being done by Washington’s students in GIS and related fields! The Dick Thomas Award (DTA), hosted by the Washington GIS Association, highlights original student research and projects in geography, GIS, and geospatial technologies. Finalists from across the state will present their work live, showcasing innovative approaches to real-world challenges, from...
See More →
Speakers
DF
Thursday May 21, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
404-406
  DTA

11:00am PDT

Estimating the Climate Resiliency of WA Dairy Farms
Thursday May 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
409
According to climate models, northwest Washington will experience progressively wetter winters in the coming decades. Dairy farms collect and store manure in large ponds for later use as fertilizer, and the volume of those ponds is greatly influenced by precipitation. Do these ponds have the capacity to hold additional winter rainfall? Or will dairies need to adapt to prevent overflow events? ...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Michael Lowry

Michael Lowry

GIS Analyst, Washington State Department of Agriculture
Michael Lowry is the GIS Analyst for WSDA’s Nutrient Management Technical Services, a program that works with dairy farmers to protect water quality. He has worked on a wide variety of projects that aim to provide the NMTS team with tools and data to get more done in less time... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
409
  Environment, Climate

11:30am PDT

Rebuilding King County’s Open Data Platform for the Cloud Era
Thursday May 21, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
407-408
King County has undertaken a major modernization of its King County GIS Open Data portal to improve reliability, enhance user experience, and transition away from aging on premise infrastructure. The previous Open Data site was built on an older Esri Configurable App and depended on datasets stored on a server scheduled for retirement in June 2026—along with several datasets that will also be...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Thomas Ryan

Thomas Ryan

Principal IT Engineer, King County
Tom is a Principal IT Engineer at King County's GIS Center. His work includes developing custom web application to support GIS data, metadata, and property reporting. Previously he worked at Kitsap County, Apple, and the City of Seattle. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Geography... Read More →
avatar for Mary Ullrich

Mary Ullrich

IT Engineer - Senior, King County
Mary is a Senior IT Engineer at the King County GIS Center with 26 years of experience. She specializes in Web GIS administration, interactive GIS applications, and coaching GIS users through the intricacies of GIS software. Her work has included GIS database design, analysis, mapping... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
407-408
  Government, Open Data

11:30am PDT

Connecting and Empowering Communities Through Map Guides to Inventory Trees Within Their Communities
Thursday May 21, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
403
As cities try to mitigate the effects of rising urban heat due to climate change, many have turned to creating Urban Forestry Management Plans (UFMPs). However, UFMPs require extensive tree inventories that catalog trees to assess management costs, tree health concerns, and potential hazards. Creating tree inventories can be prohibitively expensive and a barrier for communities with fewer...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Nelson Pham

Nelson Pham

Research Technologist, WSU Urban Forest Health Lab
Nelson Pham is an undergraduate student at the University of Washington School of Environmental and Forest Sciences studying Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management. He works part-time as a Research Technologist at the Urban Forest Health Lab at Washington State... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
403
  Sponsor, Advocacy

11:30am PDT

Experience Builder: Beyond the Map
Thursday May 21, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
401-402
Experience Builder: Beyond the Map This presentation explores how ArcGIS Experience Builder can empower users to interact with complex geospatial information without ever touching a map. Using a Seattle Urban Forestry Experience Builder application as the core example, we demonstrate how data reactive components—such as filters, charts, dynamic text, and embedded Instant Apps—can transform...
See More →
Speakers
MP

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 →
Thursday May 21, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
401-402
  WebApp, ExB

12:00pm PDT

Annual WAGISA Business Meeting
Thursday May 21, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
401-402
Everyone is welcome! Grab a boxed lunch and head to Room 401/402 for the annual WAGISA Business Meeting. 

We will be introducing new board members, thanking our departing board members, and conducting our business meeting. This is a great opportunity to see how WAGISA operates behind the scenes and to find out how to get involved. 
Thursday May 21, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
401-402
  Conference

12:00pm PDT

Lunch
Thursday May 21, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Meydenbauer Center
Boxed lunches will be provided at Meydenbauer Center. Enjoy your lunch in the ballroom, hallways, or take it to the outdoor terrace and get some fresh air! There will be four options to choose between on-site. 
Thursday May 21, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Meydenbauer Center 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004, USA
  Conference

1:30pm PDT

Relationship Goals - Linking Construction Drawings to a Map
Thursday May 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
409
The City of Tacoma was retiring it's legacy document management system in 2025. The old system allowed users the ability to associate a list of related streets through an older Access database and SQL server backend. The solution worked, but it required several steps without any kind of data integrity checking. After project stakeholders asked if there was a way to incorporate a map into the...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Steve Schunzel, GISP

Steve Schunzel, GISP

Enterprise GIS Technical Lead, City of Tacoma
Steve is the Enterprise GIS Technical Lead for the City of Tacoma.  He has been in the GIS field for over 30 years, the last 10+ years in various roles with Tacoma.  During his career, he has worked with most disciplines associated with local government including cadastral/survey... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
409
  Asset Management, As-Built

1:30pm PDT

New ArcHydro tools to facilitate connecting data to hydrography through linear referencing
Thursday May 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
401-402
Linear referencing in hydrography is a way to locate information along rivers and streams using distance measured along the waterway, rather than using map coordinates. This makes it easier to link data—such as sampling points, monitoring stations, or stream segments—to their exact position on a stream network. These linked datasets are commonly referred to as “events” and support analysis...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Joshua Greenberg

Joshua Greenberg

Hydrography Steward, WA Department of Ecology
Joshua Greenberg works for the Washington Department of Ecology and is the hydrography steward for the State. He has been the hydro-steward five years, but has over 20 years’ experience working for local government. His background offers both ecological and technical guidance and... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
401-402
  Technology, ArcHydro

1:30pm PDT

Drone Panel - We Came, We Flew, We Mapped
Thursday May 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
407-408
Drone pilots and GIS-drone enthusiasts, come together to share real-world experiences across the full drone-to-data workflow. Panelists will cover flight planning, data capture, processing, and GIS integration — with open discussion on best practices and lessons learned.
Speakers
avatar for Jim Mudd

Jim Mudd

GIS Director, Puyallup Tribe of Indians
James Mudd is the GIS Director for the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, where he leads enterprise GIS services supporting Tribal programs, planning initiatives, and data-driven decision-making. With over two decades of geospatial experience, he specializes in enterprise GIS architecture... Read More →
avatar for Peter Keum

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 →
JA

Jesse Alton

GIS and Data Project Manager, Environmental Services Office WSDOT
Jesse Alton serves in WSDOT’s Environmental Services Office as the GIS and Data Project Manager, bringing more than 20 years of experience in geospatial technology and environmental data systems. He maintains essential GIS data, GPS equipment, and custom online web applications... Read More →
KC

Keisha Chinn

Environmental Information Program Manager, Environmental Services Office WSDOT
Keisha Chinn is the Environmental Information Program Manager for the Washington State Department of Transportation. She graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences and a focus on Environmental Studies and GIS. Keisha has worked... Read More →
BD

Ben Delyea

UAV Coordinator & GIS Analyst, Cowlitz PUD No. 1
Ben Delyea is the UAV Coordinator and GIS Analyst for Cowlitz PUD No. 1 in Southwest Washington. With six years in the public utilities sector, he specializes in integrating spatial analytics, remote sensing, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into utility operations. Ben launched... Read More →
AA

Alex Arams

GIS Analyst, Fish Biologist, South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group
Alex Arams is a GIS Analyst and fisheries field biologist with the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group (SPSSEG) in Olympia, WA. With nine years of experience in salmonid habitat assessment and restoration, he integrates drone mapping, UAV photogrammetry, RTK GNSS surveying... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
407-408
  Remote Sensing, Drone

1:30pm PDT

ArcGIS for Real-Time Winter Weather and Street Sweeping Operations
Thursday May 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
403
ArcGIS Street Sweeping and Winter Weather Operations empower public works agencies to monitor real-time service activity, measure performance, and keep communities informed. By tracking sweeper and snowplow routes, organizations can improve service levels, meet regulatory requirements, and optimize responses to storms and seasonal conditions. Sharing clear schedules and status updates increases...
See More →
Speakers
TA

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 →
Thursday May 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
403
  Sponsor, Esri

2:00pm PDT

Taking GIS into the Well: Building a Replicable Condition Assessment Framework with Survey123
Thursday May 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
409
When Kitsap County needed to move from reactive maintenance to data-driven capital planning for its wastewater pump stations, the County was seeking not only a data collection process, but a repeatable framework that could be managed by staff and expanded across the entire system. This presentation details how ArcGIS Survey123, ArcGIS Online, and ArcGIS Pro were used to develop and deploy a...
See More →
Speakers
MS

Max Sugarman

Senior GIS Analyst, Hazen and Sawyer
Max Sugarman is a Senior GIS Analyst at Hazen and Sawyer, a national engineering firm specializing in water and wastewater infrastructure. Based in Seattle, he focuses on helping water and wastewater utilities translate geospatial data into practical tools for asset management, capital... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
409
  Asset Management, Survey123

2:00pm PDT

Powering the Future: Mapping Solar Potential Across WSDOT Rights‑of‑Way
Thursday May 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
401-402
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), in partnership with The Ray, conducted a statewide GIS-based suitability analysis to identify highway rights‑of‑way with high potential for solar energy development. Using spatial criteria, terrain analysis, and solar radiation modeling, the study identified over 3,000 acres of highly suitable land capable of supporting significant...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Golnaz Badr, PhD, GISP

Golnaz Badr, PhD, GISP

GIS and Data Systems Specialist, WSDOT
Dr. Golnaz Badr is a GIS & Data Systems Specialist with over 15 years of experience spanning geospatial analytics, smart mobility, environmental modeling, and enterprise data solutions. She currently supports statewide geospatial systems and data modernization efforts at the Washington... Read More →
Golnaz Badr. Powering the Future Mapping Solar Potential Across WSDOT Right of Way pdf
Thursday May 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
401-402
  Technology, Solar Energy

2:30pm PDT

Bringing Branch Editing to PostGIS/QGIS
Thursday May 21, 2026 2:30pm - 2:45pm PDT
409
This short talk demonstrates a proof-of-concept, alpha-quality project designed to introduce versioned, branched editing capabilities to the PostgreSQL, PostGIS, and QGIS technology stack. It establishes a workflow directly analogous to standard version control software used in software development. The process begins by designating a feature layer as the trunk or main layer. While operating on...
See More →
Speakers
RH

Roma Hicks

Hobbyist Developer, Senior Application Analyst, City of Issaquah
Roma Hicks is a senior application analyst for the City of Issaquah focused on public works, ESRI Utility Network, asset management, and project management but moonlights as a hobbyist software developer for over 15 years with an interest in free and open-source software (FOSS). Using... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 2:30pm - 2:45pm PDT
409
  Asset Management, Branch Editing

2:30pm PDT

Understanding post-truth GIS
Thursday May 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
403
Post-truth is a slippery synthesis of knowledge claims, science, activism, politics and media.; it represents an uncomfortable shift in how our society produces and validates geographic reality. This presentation introduces a multidisciplinary framework based on identity, meaning, transfer and appropriation. The framework is grounded in GIScience and illustrated with cases of post-truth GIS...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Gene Martin

Gene Martin

GIS consultant, Independent
Gene is a GIS solutions expert and educator with over 20 years of experience in environmental modeling, sustainability planning, and geospatial education. A former instructor for the University of Washington’s certificate program and UWSP department of geography , Gene’s work... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
403
  Explorations in GIS, Imagery

2:30pm PDT

Beyond the Map: Immersive 360 Degree Imagery and Drone Mapping for Stream Restoration in the South Puget Sound
Thursday May 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
407-408
The success of a stream restoration project often depends on how well stakeholders can “see” the vision. Yet a persistent gap exists between restoration engineers and surveyors, and the grant funders, project partners, and communities they support. Static maps and survey notes rarely convey real-world conditions in a way that is accessible to everyone, making it difficult to fully grasp site...
See More →
Speakers
AA

Alex Arams

GIS Analyst, Fish Biologist, South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group
Alex Arams is a GIS Analyst and fisheries field biologist with the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group (SPSSEG) in Olympia, WA. With nine years of experience in salmonid habitat assessment and restoration, he integrates drone mapping, UAV photogrammetry, RTK GNSS surveying... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
407-408
  Remote Sensing, Stream Restoration

2:30pm PDT

Unlocking the Past to Empower the Future: Geo-Enabling WSDOT’s Statewide Real Estate Parcel Inventory
Thursday May 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
401-402
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Real Estate Services (RES) oversees an extensive archive of Real Estate Maps documenting parcels acquired to build and maintain the state’s transportation system. Many of these maps—especially those produced prior to 2010—exist solely as scanned images, limiting their usability in modern geospatial workflows and slowing access to...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Golnaz Badr, PhD, GISP

Golnaz Badr, PhD, GISP

GIS and Data Systems Specialist, WSDOT
Dr. Golnaz Badr is a GIS & Data Systems Specialist with over 15 years of experience spanning geospatial analytics, smart mobility, environmental modeling, and enterprise data solutions. She currently supports statewide geospatial systems and data modernization efforts at the Washington... Read More →
Golnaz Badr. Unlocking the Past to Empower the Future Geo Enabling WSDOT’s Statewide Real Estate Parcel Inventory pdf
Thursday May 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
401-402
  Technology, Parcel

2:45pm PDT

Tree Canopy and Land Cover: Tacoma's GIS Approach
Thursday May 21, 2026 2:45pm - 3:00pm PDT
409
Many municipalities regularly collect land cover data using aerial imagery to support land use planning, track tree canopy, and inform city leadership. Building these workflows requires balancing accuracy, efficiency, and long-term maintainability, which becomes increasingly challenging as datasets grow and organizational needs evolve. This presentation walks through how the City of Tacoma’s...
See More →
Speakers
SL

Shawn Leonard

IT Analyst, City of Tacoma
Shawn Leonard is an IT Analyst with the City of Tacoma’s Environmental Services department, where he supports the GIS needs of stormwater, wastewater, and solid waste utilities. Over the past year and a half, he has worked at the intersection of data, infrastructure, and environmental... Read More →
Thursday May 21, 2026 2:45pm - 3:00pm PDT
409
  Asset Management, Land Cover

3:15pm PDT

Closing Plenary
Thursday May 21, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
404-406
Final conference wrap-up from WAGISA board members, announcement of Dick Thomas Award winner(s) and raffle prize winners.
Thursday May 21, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
404-406
  Conference

4:00pm PDT

Tavern Hall
Thursday May 21, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Tavern Hall
Join us for a casual Closing Social at Tavern Hall at 505 Bellevue Square Bellevue, WA 98004. Happy hour is available until 5pm! Food can be purchased on site. 
Thursday May 21, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Tavern Hall 505 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, WA 98004
  Social
 
2026 WA GIS Conference
Register to attend

Get help with the event

Contact event planner Event login
View support guides Find upcoming events
Create an event you'd love to attend!
Explore why organizers choose Sched • Success stories
Event App • Event scheduling • Event registration • Event ticketing • Sched forms • Call for papers • Badges • Conferences
© 2026. SCHED LLC - All rights reserved - Helping events since 2008
Meeting Planning Software • Privacy • Terms
Share Modal

Share this link via

Or copy link

Filter sessions
Apply filters to sessions.
Tuesday, May 19
Wednesday, May 20
Thursday, May 21
401-402
403
404-406
407-408
409
Bellevue City Hall
Meydenbauer Center
Tavern Hall
TBA
The Redd Dog
  • Accessibility
  • Asset Management
  • Career & Leadership
  • Conference
  • DTA
  • Environment
  • Explorations in GIS
  • Government
  • Mapping to the Future
  • Remote Sensing
  • Social
  • Sponsor
  • Sponsors & Career
  • Technology
  • WebApp
  • Workshop
  • Popular