As Geography Awareness Month 2024 has wrapped up, we reflect on the overwhelming success of DMV GIS Day, held on November 20. This inaugural virtual event brought together a dynamic and engaged audience to celebrate the transformative power of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the innovation driving progress across the District, Maryland, and Virginia. DMV GIS Day was a standout moment for the geospatial community with world-class speakers, thought-provoking panels, and an impressive turnout.
A Dynamic Start: Opening Remarks and Proclamation
The day began with opening remarks from Ghermay Araya, organizer and CEO of New Light Technologies, and Bill Dollins CEO of Cercana Systems. Their inspiring messages emphasized the role of GIS in tackling critical challenges like climate change, equity in urban development, and public safety. Darryl Wiggins (via Ghermay Araya) delivered the DMV GIS Day proclamation, recognizing the geospatial community’s vital contributions to the region’s growth and resilience.
Ran Goldblatt’s Welcome Message:
Good morning,
I`m excited to welcome you all to the 2024 DMV GIS Day. New Light Technologies is proud to host this event along with our partners from across the DMV.
We are all passionate about the advancements, innovations, and applications in GIS that we see happening in the DMV area, making it a central hub of GIS innovations and collaborations. We are all part of a community of professionals who are excited and dedicated to using GIS to benefit communities in the DMV and, in fact, in the entire country.
The DMV is home to globally leading academic institutions that offer top notch geospatial science education; it`s a home to local, regional and national level public sector agencies; as well as to hundreds of private enterprises who are instrumental in advancing geospatial applications across various domains. Many of these are partners of this event and we will all hear from them today.
At NLT, we increasingly see ourselves as a research institution and a scientific hub that connects the private sector with the public sector and academia. By collaborating with the entire community - meaning all of you - we integrate science and technology into every service that we provide. Whether it`s theory or applied research, we work on staying at the forefront of all scientific domains. As you know, GIS bridges scientific fields such as geography, computer science, statistics, environmental science, urban planning, and more. As we will hear today from the many great keynote speakers and panelists, GIS also helps us ensure we promote an inclusive and diverse community. Thanks to all of the innovations we see in these fields, we can ensure that not only does the DMV continue to be one of the most advanced GIS hubs in the World, but also that the DMV community - including vulnerable communities - will benefit from these advancements.
Today we will hear from some of the best GIS professionals in the region, from leaders, practitioners, and policy makers, how they - or we - bring science, technologies and innovations into the GIS world to improve the quality of life of our fellow community members. We will hear about the evolution of the geospatial DMV community; about transformative GIS projects and technology that make a community impact; and about the future of GIS in the DMV.
When you listen to the insights of the speakers, please think about the community: Both, our professional GIS community and the community who benefits from our work. Think about collaborations and partnerships. And think about how to apply all of the recent scientific and technological innovations into our daily work to improve the lives of the people in our region.
Thank you to all again for taking part in this inaugural event and I look forward to today`s discussions and outcomes.
Chad Shuskey, Chief Operating Officer at the Washington DC Economic Partnership, further emphasized the economic impact of GIS on the DMV region, setting the tone for a day filled with dynamic conversations and invaluable insights. He also gave a presentation and demonstration of geospatial technology use-cases in Washington, DC to attract and retain corporations and retailers to open office space, grocery stores, and other facilities in Washington, DC.
Keynote Spotlight: GIS in Public Safety
The first keynote of the day, Mapping and GIS in Public Safety: A Historical and Contemporary Perspective, was delivered by David Clow, Chief Information Officer of the Metropolitan Police Department of DC. Clow traced the evolution of GIS in public safety, from its early use in hand-drawn crime maps to its current role in real-time situational awareness, hazard identification, and resource optimization. His presentation showcased how GIS empowers public safety agencies to protect communities and enhance emergency response.
This keynote underscored the immense potential of GIS to address complex challenges in today’s dynamic environment, leaving attendees inspired by its transformative applications.
Geo in Action: Real-World Applications of GIS
Two Geo in Action sessions, moderated by Ran Goldblatt of New Light Technologies, explored practical applications of GIS across diverse sectors. These sessions featured an impressive lineup of panelists:
- Monica Sanders, Founder of The Undivide Project, highlighted GIS’s role in climate resilience and advocacy for underserved communities.
- Maggie Cawley, Executive Director of OpenStreetMap US, spoke on the power of open data to foster collaboration and innovation.
- Quentin Cummings, FEMA Climate Analytics Lead, shared insights into integrating climate data with geospatial analytics.
- Kendrick Faison, CEO of Spatial GIS, discussed using GIS to empower underserved populations.
- Brooke Hatcher, Senior Geospatial Analyst at New Light Technologies, demonstrated GIS applications in emergency management.
- Shelby Roberson, GIS Manager for the Montgomery County Police Department, showcased GIS’s contributions to modern law enforcement.
- Tim Kuhn, GIS Analyst at New Light Technologies, discussed operationalizing geospatial data for informed decision-making.
These sessions showcased how GIS is driving innovation and creating impactful solutions, from disaster resilience to community planning.
History of GIS in the DMV: A Legacy of Innovation
The afternoon sessions highlighted the rich history of GIS in the DMV region. Moderated by Ghermay Araya, panelists reflected on milestones that shaped the region’s geospatial landscape:
- Barney Krucoff, former GIO for Maryland and Washington, DC, shared insights on modernizing public services through GIS.
- Eva Reid, Senior Associate at Dewberry, highlighted her role in driving workforce development and GIS adoption.
- Mario Field, a veteran geospatial expert, discussed advancements in data governance and infrastructure.
- Charlene Howard, Planning Data Resources Manager for MWCOG, emphasized GIS’s role in regional planning.
- Geoffrey Hatchard, Senior GIS Consultant at New Light Technologies, shared perspectives on integrating GIS into urban initiatives.
- Uwe Brandes, Georgetown University faculty, brought an academic lens to GIS innovation and education.
The discussions celebrated the DMV’s GIS pioneers and their contributions to the community’s growth while exploring how this legacy continues to inspire innovation.
Emerging Technologies: GIS of Tomorrow
Moderated by Bill Dollins, the Emerging Technologies sessions provided a forward-looking view of GIS advancements. Speakers included:
- Noah Goodman, Voyager Search, on advancements in geospatial search capabilities.
- Mike Endale, Co-Founder of BLEN Corp, on AI and automation in GIS.
- Aaron Kelley, UpSlope Advisors, on operationalizing GIS in complex environments.
- Michael Macarilla, Esri Public Safety Executive, on GIS innovations in public safety.
- Thomas Moran, INCATech, on emerging GIS use cases in government.
- Kari Primiano, Technical Product Manager at New Light Technologies, on product innovation in geospatial tech.
- Glen Adams, Software Consultant at New Light Technologies, on advanced data visualization applications.
These sessions explored the potential of technologies like AI, IoT, and real-time data integration to transform geospatial solutions.
Closing Session and Reflections
The event concluded with reflections from Ghermay Araya, Bill Dollins, and Christy Monaco, Chief Operating Officer at the Open Geospatial Consortium. Robert Pitts, Executive Vice President at New Light Technologies, emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration within the geospatial community. The DMV GIS Reunion provided a final opportunity for attendees to connect and celebrate the day’s achievements.
Acknowledgments
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all speakers, panelists, and contributors, including:
- Event organizers: Griff Volker, Shakei Haynes, Erin Chute, and Czarina Manuel.
- Partner organizations and attendees who made DMV GIS Day 2024 a resounding success.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on the success of DMV GIS Day 2024, we are thrilled to announce several exciting initiatives and resources to continue building on the momentum of this event.
Content and Community Resources
In the coming weeks, New Light Technologies (NLT) will be producing and sharing content from the event, capturing key insights, presentations, and discussions to extend the impact of DMV GIS Day. Stay tuned for these updates as we aim to make the knowledge shared during the event more accessible to the broader geospatial community.
In addition, NLT has prepared and released two valuable community resources:
- Unified DMV Area Geospatial Calendar:
A centralized calendar for the geospatial community to share and stay informed about events, workshops, and activities in the DMV region. This tool is designed to encourage collaboration and participation across the geospatial ecosystem. - Authoritative Geospatial Data Resources for the DMV:
A comprehensive guide that identifies authoritative geospatial datasets by jurisdiction within the DMV. This resource aims to make it easier for researchers, students, and practitioners to source and use high-quality, relevant data in their work. Both resources are now available on our website for public review and use, with plans for additions and UX enhancements in the coming weeks and months.
Upcoming Monthly DMV GIS Events
Looking forward, we are excited to announce plans for a series of monthly DMV GIS events leading up to the second annual DMV GIS Day next fall. These events will feature speakers, content, and involvement sourced from the community, addressing a wide variety of geospatial topics and interests. The first event will be scheduled for January 2025, with more details to be shared soon. We invite you to stay connected and join us in this ongoing journey to foster collaboration and innovation within the DMV geospatial community.
DMV GIS Day 2024 showcased the immense talent, creativity, and dedication of our geospatial professionals. As we prepare for the year ahead, we remain committed to supporting this vibrant community and exploring the limitless possibilities of GIS to address global challenges and create meaningful change.
For updates on our work and future events, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let’s continue exploring and advancing geospatial technology together!
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