Your Monthly News & Updates
If pandemic health and safety concerns have been substantially minimized (or eliminated), we all hope to meet in Baltimore in October for URISA's 59th Annual Conference, GIS-Pro 2021. We will certainly pivot if necessary. The conference planning committee will soon share information about submitting presentation proposals, sponsorship, and opportunities to participate. 
GIS/Valuation Technologies Conference: March 22-26, 2021
The 24th Annual GIS/Valuation Technologies Conference (previously known as GIS/CAMA) will be presented virtually March 22-26, 2021.

All of the program, registration, and sponsorship details are being finalized and will be shared soon.

URISA members can take advantage of significant registration discounts.
NG 9-1-1 Ask the Experts Webinar: January 27
URISA's NG 9-1-1 Task Force continues to deliver important content for members. Grab your seat at this one!

When: Wednesday, January 27, 2021
4 PM Eastern/3 PM Central/2 PM Mountain/1 PM Pacific 

Overview: Is your state just at the beginning of its NG9-1-1 journey? Have you already started but are curious what other states are doing? Are you somewhere between planning and deployment of an NG9-1-1 system – possibly working to standardize or synchronize your data and banging your head against a wall? URISA is here to help. Bring your questions and join us for a discussion with NG9-1-1 experts that to hear what three states are doing, the challenges they have faced, and the solutions they have deployed.

Moderator: Melissa Liebert, Program Manager, Comtech Telecommunications Corp.

Panelists:

  • Matt Gerike, PhD, Geospatial Program Manager, Virginia’s 9-1-1 & Geospatial Services Bureau
  • Sherry Massey, GISP, IT/GIS Director, Dickinson County, Kansa
  • Megan Compton, Geographic Information Officer, State of Indiana

Free opportunity for members. Registration is required. Learn more and register here.

Be sure to also read the just-published Geospatial Fact Sheet, "Moving Forward with Next Generation 9-1-1 GIS".

The Task Force is also working on an educational event in the fourth quarter of 2021. Stay tuned for the exciting information as the details come together!
URISA GIS Leadership Academy
We hope to host our in-person events this year (fingers crossed) and registration is open for the URISA GIS Leadership Academy in:

  • Minneapolis, Minnesota - June 7-11, 2021
  • Portland, Oregon - August 16-20, 2021
  • St. Petersburg, Florida - November 8-12, 2021 

To keep up with demand, we will again host a Virtual URISA GIS Leadership Academy. We have just announced that the virtual GLA will be the week of April 12-16, 2021. As with the two previous virtual GLAs, capacity is limited.

For details, click here.
Share Your 2021 Goals
Happy New Year, URISA community!

As we embark on this new year, it is always good to reflect on where we have been and where we want to go. Goals are a great reminder of what we want to accomplish during this time.

Please take 5 minutes to fill out a short survey and let us know about your goals for 2021! No matter how big or small, we want to know! Share your goals with us and a few encouraging words for your fellow humans to help encourage them to accomplish their goals.

The results of the survey will be used to populate a fun story map showing what are common goals with a geographic perspective! What are you waiting for, write your goals into existence and participate today!

Warmest wishes,
URISA Vanguard Cabinet

Coalition of Young Professionals
In an effort to provide additional support for young professionals, a new URISA work group for young professionals called the Coalition of Young Professionals launches this month. The Coalition will use social media and targeted university outreach to build relationships with young professionals, students, and other emerging and young professionals in the geospatial community. 

The Coalition of Young Professionals provides a new leadership development opportunity for our next generation of GIS leaders. This group is an opportunity for young professionals and students to be introduced to URISA, gain outreach experience, and build a network that will help them be successful future leaders. 

The Coalition members will work together to build a community of young GIS professionals across URISA's footprint, expand the Vanguard Cabinet's outreach efforts, strengthen relationships between chapters, and promote URISA to colleges and universities. 

We're looking for one to two young professionals from each chapter or region! If you would like to be involved or know someone who would be a great fit for this group, please email the Vanguard Cabinet (urisa.vc@gmail.com) to sign-up or to learn additional details.
More News


The GIS Association of Alabama (URISA's Alabama Chapter) Named 2020 Outstanding Chapter of the Year!!

  • "During this pandemic, many regular GIS functions across Alabama were affected. GISAA provided a framework and platform to preserve, promote, and grow networking and educational opportunities in our profession. Partnerships and collaborations went virtual, and the good work continued. When we do meet again in person, we will be even more dedicated to our mission to provide and facilitate professional GIS growth in Alabama." - Jeannette Byrd, 2020 Treasurer

  • "GISAA, comparable to many organizations, has met the challenges of the past year with determination. Our GIS community has repeatedly sought out opportunities to fill needs and provided methods of answering questions for decision makers across the spectrum. The people that make up this initiative have shown themselves ready, willing, able and agile." - Bryan Price, 2020 Central Region Director

  • "I am proud of our 2020 Board of Directors for switching gears and continuing to make the Alabamian GIS community a priority. We had big plans for 2020, and were incredibly disappointed as most of them were put on hold. Like many other organizations, once it was clear that the current state of things wasn't going to change for a long time, we started to adapt. It was important to us to continue serving the users in our state. This pandemic has been difficult for all of us, but the lessons learned have been invaluable. We are already beginning to apply those lessons for 2021!" - Alex Lopez-Rogina, 2020 President
Podcasts
Are you caught up with the podcasts co-hosted by URISA's Vanguard Cabinet and Directions Magazine? The latest is a conversation focused on Deforestation and Satellite Imagery. Check them out here.

Be sure to also check out the URISA Texas Chapter's "More than Just Maps" podcasts for some great content. 
GIS Project Showcase
Showcase your innovative geospatial accomplishments. The web-based application showcase will serve as a repository of geospatial excellence available year-round to inspire the next generation, spur collaboration, and share cutting-edge techniques. 

Check it out and submit your project here.
Stay Connected
It's so important to have a professional network during this stressful time. Be sure to reach out to your fellow members to ask for help or recommendations, share ideas and lessons learned via our online community, URISA Connect.
Renew your 2021 Membership
The window is closing to renew your 2021 membership. Easy to do online! Click here.
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