Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the membership survey! We were able to use the feedback and suggestions from our members to help plan events for the upcoming year. 

Congratulations to the following members who won gift cards for filling out the survey:

• Juliana Pentikainen
• Anik Hagen-Menard
• Matthew Wierdsma
• Simon Morris

A special shoutout to Kevin Farrugia who was the 23rd survey respondent and won an Apple AirTag!

We heard a few common themes throughout the suggestions and can provide the following updates:

• For those of you who asked for in-person events outside of the GTA: We have recently hosted an Eastern event and have 2 upcoming events in Cambridge.
• For those of you who asked for webinars at different times other than 12 and 1: In our 2023/2024 program schedule we will be implementing more webinar time frames.

GIS Managers Open Forum

Date: Wednesday, July 24, 2024 - 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Note: This is an Eventbrite virtual event. BeSpatial is not accepting registrations for the event. Please CLICK on the button below: 

This forum will be led by Greg Babinski, GIS Management Consulting Services.

This free online open forum is an opportunity for GIS leaders to meet, share, and discuss issues and opportunities for those responsible for GIS operations and management.

GIS management is one of the most challenging responsibilities for any agency or company that utilizes geospatial technology. Effective geospatial management is a key factor for achieving maximum effectiveness and optimum ROI from an agency's investment.

GIS management can also be a highly rewarding career. Professional GIS managers need a venue to share issues, problems, best practices, resources, and emerging trends.

This free one-hour online event will include the following agenda:

• Introductions

• Spotlight on a new GIS management resource

• Open discussion of GIS-management related issues

• Upcoming events

Audience

Current GIS managers, supervisors, and coordinators, and those who aspire to a successful career in GIS management.

Advance registration is required.

For more information, contact Greg Babinski at greg@gismcs.com 

Note: Interested in future events from this organizer. Please checkout upcoming events listed at the registration site above for your perusal and interest.

Registered attendees will receive Zoom meeting credentials before the event.

The 2023 Eastern Section 'Learn What I Learned' Regional Event, took place in Kingston, Ontario, on June 29, 2023.

A recap:

This Regional Event was created based on the feedback gathered during a Pre-Event Survey that was sent to Eastern Members in November 2022 and again in March 2023.

The Pre-Event Survey indicated that 65% of the respondents were interested in attending an 'In-Person' event, 53% indicated that Kingston, Ontario, would be a suitable location, 59% indicated that 1/2 day event was preferred and 57% indicated that June was the preferred month. 

The top 5 themes that people demonstrated interest about included:

• 'Web Applications' (57%)
• 'What Others are Working On' (53%)
• 'Best Practices' (50%)
• 'Innovations' (47%)
• 'NG-911' (47%)

The presenters and panelists were selected based on this feedback.

Keynote: Dr. Barry Wellar, presented about best practices with respect to access to geo-records by the public

Presenters:

• Marc Curtis, AGSI spoke about NG-911
• Casey Price, Environics Analytics and Paul Voegtle, Esri Canada presented on how Demographic Data and Esri Web Solutions are being utilized to inform Economic Development
• The Panelists spoke about projects that they were working on, which included examples of Web Applications and Innovative Solutions that support Municipal Operations

There were 39 people in attendance.

If you attended the event and have not yet had the opportunity to fill out the Post-Event Survey please fill out the survey at this link. We value your feedback and will integrate it into future events.  

If you were unable to attend the Eastern Regional Event, please fill out the Pre-Event Survey at this link. so that we can design the next event based on your interests.

These Regional Events are meant to create an environment that fosters professional development and networking so please take a few moments to fill out the Survey.

Your feedback is key to maximizing your investment in membership and ensuring the success of future events.  Thank you!

Moderator and Event organizer: Marikka Williams, MSc, GISP, BeSpatial Eastern Section Manager.

NG911 Municipal Data Preparation

Local public safety operations for emergency service response has to be efficient, fast and effective. See how this is possible with Next Generation 911 (NG911). NG 911 is fast approaching.  Learn what it means, its requirements, components and benefits to the community.  We will explore the existing and new NG911 systems, public safety access points, real time data, obstacles and municipal data preparation.  An overview of the required NG911 geospatial data and its structure will be examined.

City of Guelph and Defense Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Database Development and Data Load for NG9-1-1

The City of Guelph was selected, alongside its partner Esri Canada, as the Canadian city to lead the development of a next-generation emergency services geographic information system (GIS) database. This innovative partnership was awarded $1.017 million in federal grant funding and will support critical enhancements in public safety in Guelph and across Canada, as the country implements a modernized Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) emergency response system. Improved call routing through use of GIS point in polygon processes is one of the drivers of NG9-1-1.

Read more...

Running against time - Workflow enhancements using FME, ArcMap & python scripting to find creative solutions for today's problems

Graphics & Visualization team in City Planning's mission was to build an automation tool capable of creating report maps connected to the development review process for community council. This project aligned to the City's Strategic priority of "Modernization", as well as technology innovation and paperless transaction. 

Interest in the program is high with presentation  20+ sessions being offered. Bookmark the Programs Spotlight area for breaking news about our presentations

BeSpatial'24 is a once a year opportunity that will provide you with professional development , valuable information and updates about what is happening in your field, a chance to visit with exhibitors to learn about their new products and services and networking with others in the geospatial and information community and much more...

BeSpatial 2024

Take a look! The preliminary program is now available!

BeSpatial 2023, held virtually in May will showcase a dynamic cross section of presentations and exhibitions drawn from our geospatial and information community. It’s a once a year engaging opportunity where you, your colleagues and your teams can listen, learn, network and also have some fun!

Program and Speaker Highlights

Greg Babinski is a GIS management consultant and founder of GIS Management Consulting Services LLC, located in the greater Seattle area.

Between 1998 and the end of 2021 he served as GIS Manager, GIS Finance Manager and GIS Marketing & Business Development Manager for the King County GIS Center in Seattle. Previously he worked for nine years as GIS Mapping Supervisor for the East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oakland.

He holds an MA in geography from Wayne State University. Greg is a GISP – Certified GIS Professional. Greg is Past-President of URISA and founder and Past-Chair of URISA’s GIS Management Institute. In 2005 he founded The Summit – the Washington State GIS Newsletter. In 2019 Greg was awarded an EthicalGEO Fellowship by the American Geographical Society. In addition to GIS consulting, he is a GIS researcher, author, and instructor. He has spoken about GIS management across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Greg has taught GIS for Public Policy as an instructor with the University of Washington Evans Graduate School of Public Administration.

In his spare time Greg likes ‘hiking steep, narrow and dangerous trails that lead high above the clouds to awesome views’.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2023 People's Choice MApps Award:

Best App: Street Tree Reporter by Laura Bernardi

Best Map: Distribution and Abundance of the Caribou in the Yukon by Allison Talsma

For more details, visit MApps Award

BeSpatial Annual Event and Expo

• When: May 
• Where: Virtual Event

Call for Submissions is Open until March 31, 2024

Educational Program - $500 BeSpatial bursary offering

The BeSpatial Nathan Adams Student Bursary is an annual award that recognizes the contributions of students studying at Ontario post-secondary institutions to the geospatial and information community. This is a great opportunity for students to get name recognition and begin participating in community events.

For more details Visit:  Annual Bursary