CalGIS2020

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

Review the Program Agenda: Featuring not-to-miss workshops and training
and more than 70 speakers presenting on important topics ranging from
NG9-1-1 and Artificial Intelligence to High Speed Rail and Personal Branding for GIS Professionals.

Click here for Sponsorship Opportunities - limited opportunities!

Scroll Down for Registration and Venue Information (book your hotel room right away - the Hilton extended the deadline for our discounted room block to January 24) - be sure to check out the special offers for Long Beach attractions!

"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)

Featured Speaker

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

In addition, we're pleased to present this important conversation, over lunch on Monday, February 10:
Smarter Government for the Information Age, leveraging geospatial capacity to improve decision-making
A Fireside Chat with:

Martin O’Malley, former Governor of Maryland and Mayor of Baltimore
Michael Wilkening, Special Advisor on Innovation and Digital Services to Governor Gavin Newsom
Amy Tong, Chief Information Officer (CIO), State of California

Moderated by Terri Carbaugh, Vice Chancellor of Public Affairs, Brandman University

This special event will bring together the unique perspectives of three current and former State executives to discuss how geospatial governance, data and methods can be most effectively structured and leveraged to more effectively support integrated, data driven decisions in State and local government to support better decision-making.

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 for your #GISBabies? Unfortunately we didn't have enough interest this year. We'll try again next year!

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 24 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, California

Check out these great offers for CalGIS attendees:

Aquarium of the Pacific (after 12:00 pm offer)
Queen Mary (free admission, daytime)
Show Your Badge (discounts and offers on attractions, dining and more)

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.
- Passport Shuttle Map and Schedule

Pedestrian and Bike-Friendly Streets

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

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

"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)