Featured Speakers

Designing for a more resilient future

Geodesign combines the power of GIS technology with design principles to create safe, vibrant, and sustainable communities. Discover how a geospatially empowered approach supports the development of holistic and context-specific plans, addressing the needs of both people and the environment.
Better collaboration, better results

Learn how geodesign enables collaboration and allows leaders to make informed choices by combining geographic context and data. Explore real-world examples of geodesign projects that have had positive financial, social, and environmental impacts.
Enhance workflows with powerful geospatial tools

Understand the role of GIS in modernizing and streamlining workflows in the infrastructure and design industry. Learn about the latest advancements in ArcGIS, including ArcGIS Urban and ArcGIS GeoBIM for smart city planning, and find out how to integrate these tools into your projects.

Jack Dangermond

President | Esri

A landscape architect by training, Jack Dangermond founded Esri in 1969 with a vision that computer mapping and analysis could help design a better future. Under Jack’s leadership, that vision has continued to guide Esri in creating cutting-edge geographic information system (GIS) and geodesign technologies that are used in every industry to make a difference worldwide.

Carl Steinitz

Cofounder | International Geodesign Collaboration

Carl Steinitz is the author of A Framework for Geodesign (2012). He cofounded the International Geodesign Collaboration and has lectured and conducted workshops at over 180 universities worldwide. Steinitz has also received numerous professional and international honors for his contributions to the field.

Meet the guest speakers

Dr. Hrishi Ballal

Dr. Ballal is the founder and managing director of Geodesignhub, a platform for map-based negotiations. Over the last seven years, he has led more than 250 projects in infrastructure development, tourism, environmental management, citizen engagement, and public policy.
Ron Chapple

Ron is the VP of global strategic solutions for digital twins at NV5. His unique storytelling background connects digital twins and technology. Past clients include BBC, PBS, and National Geographic, and Ron has won two Emmy Awards. He also pioneered the use of remote sensing as part of a Pulitzer Prize winning project with USA Today.
John Houseal

John, cofounder of Houseal Lavigne, is a pioneering figure in urban planning, renowned for his innovative and impactful approach. With extensive experience across hundreds of cities, he has provided strategic leadership in addressing increasingly complex urban challenges in communities worldwide.
Robert Kain

Robert is the GIS integration lead at Houseal Lavigne with over 25 years of planning experience. For the past decade, he has used geospatial tools and geodesign principles to enhance decision-making and foster consensus. His approach combines data-driven analysis, public engagement, and extensive municipal planning expertise.
David Manhardt, AICP

David is the director of community development at South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, with over 20 years of experience in GIS and planning. His career includes roles in Pennsylvania regional planning and New Jersey municipal planning, along with several adjunct instructor positions.
Erin Sturm

Based in Denver, Colorado, Erin is a geospatial professional in the AEC field specializing in creating online applications for industries across the country. She's an advocate for using the latest technology to solve problems and create solutions.
James C. Werner

James is a property tax and real estate expert with more than 20 years of experience. As a senior deputy assessor and GIS project manager, he integrates geospatial technology into workflows to achieve organizational efficiency and accountability.
Walker Wieland

Walker is the chief of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment at the California Environmental Protection Agency. He is spearheading the creation of CalHeatScore, an innovative extreme heat ranking and early warning system for California.