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

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

Announcing the BeSpatial & Canopy Mapping Co. Annual Data Architecture and Coding Competition!

We're seeking your GeoSpatial solutions—models, scripts, geo-processes, and automations.

The winner, revealed at BeSpatial ’24, earns a $500 cash prize and trophy, celebrating their skill and inspiring new frontiers in data architecture and coding. Sponsored by Canopy Mapping Co., this award will recognize the value in advancing data architecture and coding.

Open to all BeSpatial members, this inclusive competition fosters learning and innovation. Shape the future of data with us!

Let your coding prowess shine and bring forward the most innovative solution! Accepting submission extended until March 31st.

For more details visit: Data Architecture & Coding Competition

A BeSpatial'23 Workshop:  - Promote and Grow your GIS for Successful Geospatial Managers

Register - Select Registration including workshop option (2 Sessions).   Registration closes Midnight on April 28, 2023.

May 2, 2023 Time: 3:15 - 4:15 PM and  May 3, 2023 Time: 1:30-2:30 PM

Goals and objectives of this workshop

GIS managers have a responsibility to ensure that key decision makers know the value that GIS provides and what new things it can do for them in the future. Why? So that they are always eager for more! But marketing and business development are competencies that are not often taught.

Whether we work for a local, provincial, or federal government agency, non-profit, or private company, we as managers know the many benefits that GIS provides to our enterprise. But put yourself in the position of others within the enterprise. If you are a company manager, elected official, public works manager, warehouse supervisor, budget analyst, or any of the hundreds of other job titles that also work for the enterprise – what do they know of GIS and of the value that GIS provides?

GIS management is a challenging profession. Effective GIS management is a critical success factor for an agency to leverage the potential of its investment in geospatial data and technology and to maximize GIS ROI. Effective marketing is a key factor for a successful GIS. Promoting your GIS is key geospatial management responsibility.

This GIS Management Academy™ workshop introduces a structured project management approach to promote your GIS services effectively.

Enterprise GIS is expensive to develop, maintain, and operate. Even small-to-medium-sized cities, counties, and regional agencies have invested millions of dollars to develop their GIS capabilities, and they can have large annual operating budgets. Promoting the resources and capabilities of your GIS can increase its benefit and help increase its benefits and solidify the long-term support needed for a sustainable GIS.

Audience

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

Topics Covered

• The importance of developing your GIS brand and building brand awareness
•  Building pride within your GIS
•  Communicating the benefits of GIS
•  Building effective relationships
•  Developing political skills
•  Understanding and managing the business development life-cycle
•  Exercise: Attendee discussion and feedback

Prerequisites and Recommendations

No prerequisites.  Recommended for GIS managers and leadership teams interested in promoting and growing the use of GIS within their agency or company.

What You Will Receive

• Two (2) hours of instruction (2 sessions) from Greg Babinski, who is a subject-matter expert and workshop author.
•   A copy of the workshop presentation and exercises.