Your Monthly URISA News & Updates
#GISPro2020 Update

We had a fantastic planning committee meeting for GIS-Pro 2020 in Baltimore in early March. The conference program is fantastic and we're looking forward to sharing it with you soon. Registration will open and sponsor opportunities will be available. 

Of course, the COVID-19 situation is top of mind and, if travel will be restricted through that time, we will have a Plan B.

We really hope to see you in Baltimore in late September!
Best Practices for GIS Project Planning and Management 

URISA members are encouraged to register for a virtual mini-workshop on Thursday, April 2, focused on Best Practices for GIS Project Planning and Management. 
  • Attendance counts for three (3) GISP Education Hours 
  • Participation is limited to the first 100 members who register.

Day -  Thursday, April 2, 2020 
Time - 2 PM Eastern/1 PM Central/12 Noon Mountain/11 AM Pacific 
Duration -  2.5 hours with Q&A

Instructor -  Peter Croswell, PMP, GISP, CMS is an expert in information technology and GIS implementation and management with over 40 years experience as an IT and GIS practitioner, program manager, and an IT/GIS consultant. He currently serves as President of Croswell-Schulte Information Technology Consultants, an independent consulting firm specializing in GIS and IT program assessment, design, planning, project management, and implementation support. He is a former URISA President, author of The GIS Management Handbook, and is an instructor in the Penn State University Online Geospatial Education Program.

Overview - This mini-workshop cuts through the theory and fluff to present, in practical terms, the essential practices for successful GIS project planning and management. Its intent is to provide project managers, teams, and stakeholders with the key actions methods, and tools to launch and execute successful projects-delivering results on time and on budget providing valuable deliverables to the customers and user community.  It is applicable to all types of GIS projects and covers the following topics:
  • Choosing and Prioritizing Projects
  • Defining scope, purpose, context
  • Workplan preparation
  • Estimating/assigning resources
  • Project tracking, status reporting, and communications
  • Procurement for GIS projects
  • Project quality management
  • Project closure
  • Quick peek at using project management software
If you are already a seasoned project manager, this mini-workshop will confirm practices you are already applying (or should be applying) and augment your PM toolbox with some new ideas and methods. If you are a new project manager or a staff person interested in moving into a management role, you'll find the practical content to be an extremely valuable introduction to project management practices.

#GISValTech2020 Cancelled 

Unfortunately we had to cancel GIS/ValTech 2020 (formerly GIS/CAMA) in Louisville that was to take place this week, due to the coronavirus crisis. It was certainly the right decision but a shame because the educational content was off the charts and participation numbers were really strong. 

We're connecting with speakers to encourage them to do a virtual presentation and/or offer their presentation at GIS-Pro 2020. 

Because the Exhibition is always a busy place, our GIS/ValTech sponsors are scheduling virtual demos and technology showcase sessions. Learn about solutions from your temporary home office. Sessions  are listed here.

In the meantime, be sure to jot March 15-18, 2021 on your calendars for GIS/ValTech 2021 in New Orleans. 
Attend a URISA GIS Leadership Academy in 2020

Great recent testimonial from a GLA graduate:  "That week in Austin put me on a different path in life and was totally worth every dollar it took to attend."



 
As with our other events, we are monitoring the situation and will certainly postpone and reschedule if necessary. Know that your registration will be refunded or transferred to another GLA, if that occurs.

For registration and venue information,  click here. 
Last Call! Have you renewed your 2020 URISA membership?

If not, take care of it today to make sure there is no disruption in services. Memberships will lapse on March 31 (we extended the deadline due to the upheaval in business processes this month).

Click here for instructions.
Have you connected yet? 

URISA members now have exclusive access to our new 365 day online community, URISA Connect,  to discuss areas of interest, explore solutions and talk over challenges with your peers and leaders in the profession.   Recent discussions have focused on  Advanced Degrees, MOOCs, and Census 2020. We're also starting to integrate  URISA Connected Virtual Friday Chats based on topics that have substantial engagement. This Friday's Chat will focus on Advanced Degrees.
  • TIP: You can click FOLLOW (the star icon) at the top right of discussion topics to receive real-time notifications when a post is updated. 
Calendar

Most URISA chapter events have been cancelled or postponed as large gatherings are restricted. Check your local chapter's website to stay up-to-date:  URISA Chapters 

URISA Partner Events of Note:

Brandman University   is hosting a webinar focused on Women in GIS on Monday, March 30, 2020 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT.

This talk explores how a young GIS professional, Ms. Sophia Garcia, uses GIS to focus on achieving social justice during international women's month. In this webinar, participants will:
  • Learn about a real-world career that uses GIS
  • Hear about real-world examples of how women use GIS
  • Understand the career and education path of a young GIS professional
  • Develop clarify on the power of women in GIS especially during International Women's Month
DATAMARK is hosting a virtual Public Safety GIS Conference from March 30 - April 3, 2020.
This conference is free to attend, and is intended to offer education and support to GIS and Public Safety Professionals whose travel to other conferences, meetings, or events has been cancelled. 

Registration Link

Nearmap  is hosting a virtual session on Tuesday, April 14 at 1:00 PM Eastern.

The Future of Smart City Planning: Employing High-Res Aerial Imagery
What are you using to plan for the smart cities of the future? Having access to real location intelligence helps you identify areas for development, pinpoint potential problem situations, and track property assets over time and remotely. Discover how using Nearmap's rich aerial location content--3D, vertical, and oblique--can help empower your government planning with smarter data.

 


Check this page as more opportunities are shared. 
Hall of Fame
Awards Season at URISA

  • Nominations for URISA Service Awards (Horwood Distinguished Service, Leadership, Service) are due on or before May 11. Check out the details and nominate an outstanding URISA volunteer!
Catch up with URISA's GISCorps 

Read the latest URISA GISCorps newsletter and catch up with recent projects and the incredible impact that GISCorps volunteers are having across the globe! 

Do you have a copy of THE GIS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK?

Extremely popular, this edition is a major update of Pete Croswell's 2009 publication.  Required reading in many upper level college/university GIS courses.

"The second edition of The GIS Management Handbook is a tour de force for all engaged in planning, implementing and managing geographic information systems programs and projects. This book covers the core concepts as well as the nitty gritty details and as such, provides an essential reference for those who aspire and work every day to use geographic information to solve problems and seize the opportunities they are afforded to improve the world around us". - Dr. John P. Wilson, Professor and Founding Director, Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California

Check out the details and order your copy today.
URISA Logo Apparel

Long sleeve, short sleeve, cardigans, and pullover fleece, check out the URISA Logo Store! 

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