GIS-Pro 2012: Fifty Years of Education and Connections
It was a golden opportunity to share, celebrate, and learn. Thank you to all of the speakers, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees for contributing to the success of URISA's 50th Annual Conference! A special appreciation to the Oregon URISA Chapter and the Northwest GIS Users' Group for their partnership and dedication.
Mark Your Calendar!
GIS-Pro 2013: URISA's 51st Annual Conference for GIS Professionals
September 16-19, 2013
Providence, Rhode Island
GIS-Pro 2012: URISA's 50th Annual Conference for GIS Professionals
took place September 30 to October 4, 2012 at the Hilton Portland in Portland, Oregon!
Thank you to Al Little (Program Chair), Claudia Paskauskas (Conference Chair) and Amy Esnard (Associate Program Chair) for their outstanding leadership and dedication!
Learn and Grow ~ Challenge and Inspire ~ Lead and Succeed
From the Young Professionals making amazing contributions to our esteemed URISA Past Presidents, the conversations and contributions made this conference one to remember!
URISA emanated from conferences held from 1963 through 1966. These events were known as the Annual Conference on Urban Planning Information Systems and Programs. URISA was formed in 1966 and the first URISA conference was held in 1967. We convened in Portland to celebrate the 50th annual conference!
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The conference program was packed with sessions... thanks to the speakers and the conference program committee for making it difficult to choose between all of the educational options!
Featured Speakers
URISA was honored to welcome our distinguished keynote speakers for GIS-Pro 2012.
Click on each link below to view the video from each of our keynote speakers.
Professor Michael Goodchild, |
Johannes Kebeck,
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Final Conference Program
Download the program that was distributed to registrants on-site.
Conference Highlights
Click here to start reviewing some of the conference highlights.
View the GIS-Pro Ignite Presentations
Some of the post-conference feedback includes:
- I've been to many regional and some national GIS conferences, however, this one widely exposed me to a section of thought which is more rare at other conferences. The most valuable parts were key insights (often from long time URISA members). Some of these came in keynotes and thought panel, others were scattered throughout the sessions or hall conversations.
- Seeing how many people were involved in GIS and the variety of ways people are using it to help them solve problems in their work and enjoying their career choice. It was also nice to see that NASA - a place I have dreamed of working, was a guest and hall of fame inductee - that was cool!
- Participating in the conference allowed me to rejuvenate my enthusiasm for GIS. It reminded me about all the possibilities that GIS has to offer.
- Listening to experts share their visions for the future of GIS and interesting uses for GIS. I enjoy being exposed to intelligent people and hearing new ideas.
- Networking with peers. The involvement of the NW GIS User Group really helped to bridge the gap from the technical person to manager. URISA offered great tracks for upper management.
- Networking!! The chance to meet others that conduct the same type of work you do, or meet others that are currently doing the work you want to do, is invaluable!!
- Being immersed in the GIS culture and meeting fellow GISers, particularly those I knew online.
Speed Networking resulted in tremendous professional connections!
Exhibits & Sponsorships
Thank you to our Diamond Sponsor, Esri! 
Conference Sponsors
About NWGIS – The Northwest GIS User Group, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides a forum for training, exchange of knowledge, techniques, and data among the users of Esri software and related GIS products and services. For more information, visit www.nwgis.org
About URISA, the Association for GIS Professionals - Founded in 1963, the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) is a nonprofit association for professionals involved in improving urban and regional environments through the use of information technology. For more information, visit www.urisa.org
Conference Committee
Without the volunteer members of the Conference Committee, there would be no conference.
We thank them for their amazing efforts!
