Indeed, 2012 was a milestone year for URISA.
Members developed a Geospatial Management Competency Model, which was accepted by the US Department of Labor. URISA announced a GIS Management Institute (GMI) to develop resources and services that focus on promoting the advancement of professional best practices and standards for the management of GIS operations. The organization’s 50th Annual Conference took place in Portland, Oregon, with the highest attendance numbers seen in many years (in fact, all URISA conferences exceeded expectations in 2012). Dozens of industry luminaries collaborated on the publication Foundations of Urban and Regional Information Systems and Geographic Information Systems and Science, a commemorative book documenting the research, education, training, and applications that URISA and its members have contributed during the past five decades. Two new URISA chapters were approved for organizing status (Texas and a Cumberland Chapter serving Kentucky and Tennessee), URISA’s GISCorps surpassed 100 volunteer missions, and URISA’s Vanguard Cabinet continues to make great strides for young GIS professionals.
No doubt, 2013 will be even more productive, with working groups and committees actively working on GMI, international outreach, and a full calendar of URISA conferences and events:
- 17th Annual GIS/CAMA Technologies Conference (March 4–7 in Albuquerque, New Mexico)
- URISA Leadership Academy (May 13–17 in San Antonio, Texas)
- GIS in Public Health Conference (June 17–20 in Miami, Florida)
- GIS-Pro 2013: URISA’s 51st Annual Conference for GIS Professionals (September 16–19 in Providence, Rhode Island)
- GIS in Public Transit Conference (October 16–18 in Washington, DC)
URISA invites all GIS professionals to join the organization and get involved, share ideas to advance the profession, and make an impact.
For more information, visit www.urisa.org.
