CalGIS 2020

The URISA chapters in California and the California Geographic Information Association, come together every year to present CalGIS.

Don't miss CalGIS 2020 in Long Beach - February 9-11, 2020

Review the Program Agenda

Click here for Sponsorship Opportunities - early bird discounts through December 16

Scroll Down for Registration and Venue Information - early bird discounts through December 16

"CalGIS presents excellent opportunities to network with friendly fellow professionals and to have a nice time while doing so. Organizers and attendees are generally approachable and enthusiastic about discussing their work and ideas. The conference is a perfect opportunity to see how people in a wide variety of fields are using GIS to accomplish intriguing and important goals. And as a student new to the field, I found CalGIS to be a welcoming and educational window into the profession." (Allen Dailey, CalGIS 2019 attendee)

"It was like being in a room full of people like me, just excited to nerd out about GIS applications! Everyone is so friendly and approachable. This was a beneficial and fun experience. Can't wait until next year." (A.M., CalGIS 2019 attendee)

Participate: CalGIS 2020 Posters and Web Maps/Apps (and Student Competition)

The deadline to submit workshop and presentation proposals has passed, but there is still an opportunity for both students and GIS professionals to share their good work with the community during CalGIS 2020. Showcase the diverse topics of innovative real-world and/or academic research projects that use Geographic Information Science and Technology. We encourage both GIS professionals and students to submit abstracts. It is a great way to present your projects/research during the conference and network in a no-stress environment.

Hard Copy Posters –Clear project background, objectives, process/methods, and results with compelling graphics and/or visualizations
Web Maps & Applications –Meaningful or practical topics in an intuitive interface. Includes web maps, mobile apps and GIS applications that will be showcased on monitors/screens during the conference.

To be considered for participation in the CalGIS poster & web app/map session, an abstract must be submitted (250 words max) by December 16, 2019. A submission form is available here. Notifications of the selected submissions will be sent out in early January, 2020.

Students may elect to be considered for the Student Competition. The purpose of the student competition is to promote and highlight student (both undergraduate and graduate) research and/or skillsets using Geographic Information Science and Technology. Student research and class projects that use GIS to advance understanding of various fields (social sciences, natural sciences and humanity etc.) and/or improve GIS technology and methodology are welcome. Recent graduates, whose degrees were conferred on or after May 2019 are also eligible to enter this competition. Competition categories will be judged by 1) a panel of judges AND 2) popular votes. Please send all inquiries to: An-Min Wu, PhD, Lecturer, Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, anminwu@usc.edu

Featured Speaker - Governor Martin O'Malley

We are honored to announce Governor Martin O'Malley as our Opening Keynote Speaker.

Attendees may pre-order Governor O'Malley's book, Smarter Government - How to Govern for Results in the Information Age (Esri Press, 2019) at a special conference price of $20 (half-off the regular price). Be sure to order your copy when you register. Pre-ordered books will be distributed on site with your registration materials. Copies of Governor O'Malley's book will also be available for purchase at the conference at a discounted price of $25.

Following the Governor's talk, there will be an opportunity to get your book signed by the Governor!

Registration & Venue

Registration options range from single day to full conference, with substantial discounts for full-time students, young professional members (35 or younger) and members of CGIA or the California URISA chapters.

Full Registration includes attendance at one full or half-day workshop on Sunday (normally an additional $200 fee)!
Full Registration also includes access to all educational sessions, proceedings, two hosted lunches and networking reception, Exhibit Hall, and evening social events.
Attendees may pre-order Governor O'Malley's book, Smarter Government - How to Govern for Results in the Information Age (Esri Press, 2019) at a special conference price of $20 (half-off the regular price). Be sure to order your copy when you register. Pre-ordered books will be distributed on site with your registration materials. Note that copies of Governor O'Malley's book will also be available for purchase at the conference at a discounted price of $25.
The best value for registration is for members who are staying at the conference hotel or who reside locally. Significant discounts are offered to members of CGIA or the California URISA chapters.
Registrations received after February 3 or onsite will incur an additional $50 fee.
All participants must read and abide by the URISA Event Code of Conduct to promote a respectful experience for all.

Interested in childcare? We'd love to make it happen this year. Please be sure to check the appropriate box on the registration form. We will need to have final numbers and hours required by January 13 in order to proceed.

Registration Fee Table

On-line Registration

Fillable PDF Registration Form (please use Firefox as your browser to complete this form)

Venue: Hilton Long Beach

CalGIS 2020 will take place at the Hilton Long Beach (701 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90831). CalGIS negotiated an amazingly affordable $199 single/double occupancy room rate at the CalGIS 2020, including wifi access. The group rate will be available until January 18 or until the room block is depleted. In addition, a limited block of California state per-diem rate rooms are available. If you qualify for state government per-diem rates, send an email to the Registrar and she will forward you the details about reserving your room via the per-diem block ($120/night).

To reserve your room in the CalGIS block: Online Reservation Link or phone 1-800-HILTONS and mention the Group Name: (CalGIS 2020) or the Group Code: (CA2)

Please note:

Reserve your room first as your Hotel reservation number is required to receive the registration best value rate.
The hotel rates shown above are final. If you happen to receive an email or phone call from an outside organization about booking hotel rooms for CalGIS 2020, it is a SCAM. Please do not give your credit card information or make any reservations with any other housing bureau or convention housing appearing to represent URISA . These companies, often based out of Las Vegas go by names such as Exposition Housing, Expo Housing Group, Convention Housing, appear to offer lower rates for hotel rooms and are a scam. Do not respond. Rooms for the conference are only available through the Reservations Link above.

Host City: Long Beach

Offering the experience, diversity and variety of a much larger city, Long Beach truly has it all—the best of Southern California dining, entertainment and culture all within an easily accessible area.

Located in the heart of sunny Southern California, Long Beach blends urban sophistication with the relaxed atmosphere of a beachside community. Discover unique hotels, world-class attractions like the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific and the Queen Mary, cutting-edge museums, award-winning restaurants and a thriving, multi-faceted arts and culture scene.

Whether you’re visiting Long Beach, California for business, fun or both, you’ll always find something unconventional to do. Satisfy your inner urbanite at downtown Long Beach’s vibrant waterfront scene. From eclectic neighborhoods to sandy beaches, you’ll find Long Beach to be an urban waterfront playground. Visit museums, tour a 1930s ocean liner and watch sea lions at Long Beach’s aquarium. Enjoy live performances and cruise Naples canals. Spot dolphins at play on your way to Catalina Island. Or take a short jaunt to Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, or other Southern California attractions.

Getting To Long Beach Is Easy!

Coming from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), take 405 south, then take 710 south. Downtown Long Beach is located at the end of the 710 freeway. Limousine, taxi and/or airport shuttle service is also available. Click here for alternate airport transportation options.

Coming from Long Beach Airport (LGB) or Orange County's John Wayne Airport (SNA), take 405 north, then take 710 south. Downtown Long Beach is located at the end of the 710 freeway. Limousine, taxi and/or airport shuttle service is also available. Click here for alternate airport transportation options.

Coming from the Inland Empire area, take 91 west to 710 south. Downtown Long Beach is located at the end of the 710 freeway.

Coming from Southern Orange County, take the Santa Ana Freeway (5) north to the San Diego Freeway (405). Take the San Diego Freeway (405) north to the Long Beach Freeway (710). Go south on the Long Beach Freeway to the Downtown Exits. (710 then becomes Shoreline Drive). Follow Shoreline Drive into the downtown area.

Coming from North Orange County and San Gabriel & Pomona Valleys take the Orange Freeway (57) or San Gabriel Freeway (605) to the Riverside Freeway (91) to the Long Beach Freeway (710). Go south on the Long Beach Freeway to the Downtown Exits. (710 then becomes Shoreline Drive). Follow Shoreline Drive into the downtown area.

Public Transportation

Looking for a quick and easy way to and around Long Beach without the hassle and haggle of traffic and parking rates? There are a number of smart public transportation options available.

Metro Link: Take the Metro Blue Line, L.A.'s first light rail transit system which runs from 7th Street in Downtown L.A., to downtown Long Beach. Bicycles are allowed on Metro Rail with some restrictions during peak hours and bicycle racks are available first-come, first-serve on Metro buses.
Long Beach Transit: Take advantage of the city's public transportation services available both on land and water! The bright red Passport Shuttle offers service to major Long Beach attractions and is free throughout the downtown area and whisks you quickly to downtown's cultural spots. During summer months, you can also hail water taxis, the Aquabus and the Aqualink, with services between the Queen Mary and Alamitos Bay Landing. All shuttles and water taxis are bicycle friendly.

Pedestrian and Bike-Friendly Streets

Long Beach has set the standard for "walkability" and is an ideal spot for strollers and bikers alike.