GIS in Action 2021: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 29th annual GIS in Action Conference!

This year’s GIS in Action conference may look quite a bit different from years past but promises to be one that will engage and inspire you in all the ways that you expect and some ways that will surprise you! This year’s important and timely theme, Resilience and Equity, provides attendees with an opportunity for discourse and growth. The program is packed with 4 keynote addresses, 6 topical tracks, 7 workshops, a map gallery, as well as time for networking. We have 16 sponsors and over 250 people registered!

We’re excited to feature keynote speaker Annita Lucchesi who serves as the Executive Director of Sovereign Bodies Institute and will discuss her work as the caretaker of the MMIW database on day 1. On day 2, we’ll feature keynote speakers Steven Hoffert, Jeff Frkonja, and Colleen Miller as they discuss the importance of geospatial data sharing, collaboration, and coordination for delivering government services equitably and effectively. For the day 3 keynote, Nicole Franklin will unpack the use of GIS for equity and social justice, and on day 4 Karsten Vennemann will illustrate how open and fair access to spatial information and open software are transforming our world.

The conference offers something for everyone with the presentation tracks of: Building Your GIS Program, Critical GIS, Emergency Response, Technology, and Workforce Development. Several specialized sessions will focus on meeting the needs of Emerging Professionals and offer a lively way to grow your network. The annual Student Showcase session reveals innovative approaches to geospatial problem solving year after year.

The 2021 Conference Committee, composed of members from the Oregon & SW Washington URISA (ORURISA) and the Cascadia Region of ASPRS (American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing), has been innovating and tirelessly working to bring you the array of informative keynote addresses, workshops, and presentations. Many thanks to Alexa Todd (Chair) and the entire conference committee including Ben Brady, Claire Brumbaugh-Smith, Dave Brown, Matthew Freid, Marcus Glass, Tara Kaur, Jesse King, Lauren McKinney, Ashley Moran, David Percy, Neil Revello, Cy Smith, Shivon Van Allen, and many others involved in the planning and delivery of this exciting event.

We look forward to meeting you at the 2021 conference and continuing to grow this vibrant and strong GIS community!

Theresa Burcsu, President, Oregon-Southwest Washington URISA Chapter

Robert Hairston-Porter, President, Cascadia Region ASPRS

Accessing the Plenaries, Sessions, and Socials

For access to plenaries, sessions, and socials, the link to the Zoom meeting will appear in Sched 10 minutes before the session start time. Click Video Stream to join the meeting, as shown in the images below.
You can change sessions or re-enter a session by returning to the schedule.

11:00am PDT

GIS Project Management

Delivering More Resilient, Performant and User-Friendly GIS Tools through QA Testing
Erick Caceres
Erick Caceres has broad experience leading software testing efforts in the gaming industry, at Amazon Web Services and in a wide variety of software companies. In this discussion, he will share insights and practical tips for bringing testing to your application development and application portfolio management efforts in the geo space.
Topics will include:
• test planning and resourcing
• geo-oriented automation testing frameworks
• release planning
• how to integrate testing into your current workflows
• development of testing programs

Increase GIS Adoption by Integrating Change Management
John Ruffling
How great would it be to tell leaders the complete story: technology and workforce capabilities perfectly aligned to advance your organization's goals? We will walk through the planning process to integrate people focused change management principles into a technology implementation. And cover tangible action items you can execute on to begin a change management initiative right away.

Speakers

Erick Caceres

Director of QA, The Gartrell Group

After years and countless miles of driving and flying around the world playing drums in a diverse set of musical acts, Erick Caceres found a proverbial fork in the road - and he took it. While a touring musician and side-gigging software tester, Erick was honing his testing skills... Read More →

John Ruffing

Account Manager, ESRI

John has been a proactive leader in the PNW acting as an Account Manager for Esri for the last five years, with another 20 years in the Industry leading a variety of Organizations to sustainable and long-lasting solutions.

Tuesday April 20, 2021 11:00am - 11:50am PDT
Zoom

9:00am PDT

Building Custom Tools & Experiences

Data Source Integration: Creating a Cohesive Deliverable Using Photogrammetry, SLAM and Terrestrial Laser Scanning
Heather Sauerland
ToPa 3D completed a recent mapping project to create a contour map of a vineyard totaling over 200 acres in the wine country of the Willamette Valley, Oregon. All told, the project required creating point clouds from several sources including photogrammetry, a handheld and UAS mounted SLAM unit, and a terrestrial laser scanner. This presentation will focus on some of the challenges encountered such as limited ground control points, difficult overlapping geometry between data sources, and accurately georectifying multiple point clouds into one. It will also highlight several of the software platforms used including Cloud Compare, FARO Scene, Civil 3D, and Global Mapper.

Transforming Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS® widget development
Matt Vaillant
In this session, you'll learn how Geocortex is transforming widget development in Web AppBuilder. We'll show you how you can deliver custom experiences and functionality in your applications, all through configuration. See how we can add value to your investment in Esri technology with intuitive, web-based design tools to help you save time and money. Best of all, you can do it all without writing custom code!

Moderators

Dr. Nicholas Kohler

University of Oregon

Dr. Kohler teaches courses in remote sensing, geospatial data science, andhuman-environment relations at the University of Oregon. His research concerns natural andcultural world heritage management and conservation, land use change related to economicdevelopment, environmental monitoring... Read More →

Speakers

Heather Sauerland

Geospatial Technologist, ToPa 3D

Heather Sauerland joined ToPa 3D in 2019 and is now their Geospatial Technologist. Heather studied biology at Clarion University of Pennsylvania and Geographic Information Systems at Central Oregon Community College. She is a licensed part 107 drone pilot as well as a Level 1 sUAS... Read More →

Matt Vaillant

Account Manager, VertiGIS North America Ltd.

Matt Vaillant is a Geocortex Account Manager with VertiGIS North America. Matt's been working with state and local governments, utilities, and the private sector to help them solve their spatial challenges and extend the ArcGIS platform. A dad and avid mountain biker, Matt lives with... Read More →

Wednesday April 21, 2021 9:00am - 9:50am PDT
Zoom

Technology, Speakers

Keywords Asset management, Business analysis, Esri, JavaScript, Online application, Programming, LiDAR, Open source, Project management, UAS
Audience Intermediate

9:00am PDT

Esri Apps

Using ESRI HUB for Citywide Open Data Program
Matthew Fried
Open data sites often largely consist of GIS data with few tabular datasets. The City of Portland is implementing a citywide open data program using ESRI's HUB application and including non-GIS data as well for the first time. Since the City was already using HUB for it's spatial data it made sense to leverage it for all of it's data and used our existing ETL and publishing architecture to move data from source to web services and then to our HUB site though some modifications were needed. The project includes providing metadata and data visualizations as well as documents on data policy, privacy and access.

GeoEvent Server and Automated Vehicle Location Integration
Kristin Judy
The City of Hillsboro Public Works Department is required to report the number of curb miles swept monthly to meet MS4 permit requirements. Historically the City has used an Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) vendor for capturing the data and reporting curb miles swept. However, this methodology has multiple limitations including a lack of integration into the City’s Enterprise GIS. Using Esri’s GeoEvent Server and custom processors, Attribute Rules, and Python scripting the City now captures these data, storing it in the City’s Enterprise GIS. An application was created using Web AppBuilder in the City’s Enterprise Portal to support sweeper operators and their supervisors to track their monthly progress in real-time, while a Dashboard provides real-time, up-to-date reporting metrics.

Moderators

Neil Revello

Speakers

Matthew Freid

Corporate GIS Program Manager, City of Portland

Matthew Freid has worked in public sector GIS for 30 years with a focus on GIS data automation and application development. In his current role as Corporate GIS Program Manager for the City of Portland he leads a team of GIS professionals, programmers and system architects supporting... Read More →

Kristin Judy

GIS Analyst, City of Hillsboro, Oregon

Kristin Judy is a GIS Analyst with the City of Hillsboro’s Information Services Department. She’s been with the City for over eight years, and spent the first four and half years with the Public Works Department before moving into the Information Services Department. Kristin... Read More →

Wednesday April 21, 2021 9:00am - 9:50am PDT
Zoom

Technology, Speakers

Keywords Esri, Online application, Smart cities, Data governance
Audience Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Technical, Management, Young Professional/Student

10:00am PDT

Modernizing GIS

Cyber and Infrastructure Security of GIS Pros
Micah Babinski and Kelly Stone
For many organizations, GIS maps, data, and applications are among the most visible (and critical) aspects of the overall IT infrastructure. As demonstrated by the coronavirus pandemic and 2020 Oregon wildfires, GIS resources are essential for informing and engaging the public. However, as public-facing web GIS products proliferate, the attack surface expands considerably, introducing new sources of risk for organizations large and small. Meanwhile, threat actors including organized crime, malicious "script kiddies", and even nation-state adversaries have increased access to sophisticated and commoditized hacking tools capable of wreaking havoc on vulnerable systems. The steady drumbeat of ransomware stories in the news should concern everyone - not just the InfoSec team. Firewalls and antivirus software are not sufficient in the modern threat landscape, and human beings - particularly knowledgeable, tech-savvy GIS pros - have an important role to play. This presentation gives an overview of cybersecurity concepts relevant to GIS pros and introduces small, simple actions that can convert your GIS program from a cybersecurity liability into a cybersecurity asset.

Modernizing how you work with linear referenced data
Matt Vaillant
Whether you're managing a road network, water pipeline, or utility network, chances are you're working with linear referenced data. Linear referenced data represents events (point and range) along a linear network. Working with this data inside a web GIS has historically been difficult: once you start layering events such as intersections, speed limit, road type, and elevation on top of a line feature, you almost immediately lose the ability to visualize that data in a meaningful way.
To get around this, most organizations export this data into straight-line diagrams or alignment sheets that allow you to look at bands of the data. The challenge with this is that the data is instantly stale and can’t integrate with other tools and data that live in your GIS.
Geocortex Inline represents a major innovating in this space. You can now visualize and interact with your linear data dynamically inside your web mapping applications, opening up new possibilities for how you work with this data. Join me to see the innovative way Geocortex has addressed the challenges of working with linear data.

Moderators

Cy Smith, GISP

Enterprise Information Services, Oregon Geospatial Enterprise Office

Speakers

Kelly Stone

Regional Analyst, DHS -CISA Region 10

Kelly Stone has 20 years of experience in GIS at the local and Federal government level as well as teaching GIS at multiple institutions. Kelly currently works for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in the Region 10 office in Seattle. She serves as the lead... Read More →

Micah Babinski

GIS/Cybersecurity Consultant

Micah is a cybersecurity and GIS professional, project manager, musician (Celtic and Americana folk music - bagpipes, mandolin, whistle), and enthusiastic (but very amateur) chef. He lives in Portland, Oregon, and has experience in non-profits, consulting, and local/federal government... Read More →

Matt Vaillant

Account Manager, VertiGIS North America Ltd.

Wednesday April 21, 2021 10:00am - 10:50am PDT
Zoom

Technology, Speakers

Keywords Data governance, Online application, Programming, Security, SQL, Technology, Workforce development, Young professionals
Audience Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Technical, Management, Young Professional/Student

10:00am PDT

Utility Emergency Response

GIS Solutions for Wildfire Mitigation and Response at an Electric Utility
Ben Hillam and Amber Staley
As wildfires are becoming more threatening and increasing in frequency in the Pacific Northwest, utilities have had to increase their efforts to mitigate and respond. In the past wildfire programs were limited or only required for a short time during the year. The extent of GIS support might have only meant printing a paper map for field crews to orient themselves to a wildfire event. Current wildfire trends require the incorporation of more advanced geospatial data, tools, and real-time analysis. At PGE, the GIS team has played a major part supporting the building of our wildfire program. In this discussion we will present some of the analysis, solutions, and products the GIS team has provided to help PGE proactively mitigate, respond to, and increase public safety regarding wildfire events.

NW Natural Emergency Response Efforts
Laurel Garrett and Ashley Moran
Communicating information through maps is an integral part of emergency response at NW Natural. Unprecedented events in 2020 gave the GIS team an opportunity to aid the company throughout multiple disastrous situations. In this session, we will highlight our efforts to assist our first responders, construction crews, executives, and customers in two specific situations where location accuracy and geospatial analysis were imperative. We will provide an overview of the cartographic exhibits and analytics our team at NW Natural put together in response to last year’s wildfire season as well as a car crash that led to the largest outage our company has seen in 65 years.

Moderators

Cy Smith, GISP

Enterprise Information Services, Oregon Geospatial Enterprise Office

Speakers

Ben Hillam

Manager Asset Management Analytics, Asset Management

Ben Hillam is currently the Manager of the Asset Management Analytics team at Portland General Electric. He has experience doing GIS work as a consultant, in city & state governments, oil, and electric utility industries. He also is a part-time faculty member at Clackamas Community... Read More →

Amber Staley

GIS Analyst, Portland General Electric

Amber Staley is a GIS Analyst at Portland General Electric. She received a Graduate Certificate in GIS from Portland State University in 2009 and has undergraduate degrees in Fish & Wildlife Management and Recreation. Amber has been at PGE since 2016 and has also built her GIS experience... Read More →

Ashley Moran

GIS Technician, NW Natural

Ashley Moran graduated from San Diego State University in 2019 with a BA in Geography. Once she graduated, she moved to the beautiful PNW to pursue a career in GIS. She has been working at NW Natural as a GIS Technician for over a year, mapping gas facilities and creating custom... Read More →

Laurel Garrett

GIS Analyst, NW Natural

Thursday April 22, 2021 10:00am - 10:50am PDT
Zoom

Emergency Response, Speakers

Keywords Critical GIS, Emergency response, Esri, Online application, Programming, Python, SQL, Utilities, Wildfire
Audience Intermediate, Advanced, Technical, Management

10:00am PDT

Planet GIS

Better Water Management Through the Use of Remote Sensing
Mischa Hey
Water is increasingly becoming a rare and valuable resource throughout the western US. Remote sensing data and associated analytics can expand spatial intelligence about water availability, transport, storage, and use. This presentation will give an overview of three projects designed to quantify and map components of the hydrologic cycle through remote sensing and spatial analytics: 1) Quantification of Snow Water Equivalency using lidar and hyperspectral imagery, 2) Updating and refining the National Hydrologic Dataset and Watershed Boundary Dataset from high resolution lidar-derived elevation
data, 3) Quantifying storage capacity of stream, rivers and lakes through volumetric analysis and integration of bathymetric lidar and multibeam sonar. Challenges and techniques in LiDAR processing will also be discussed as a common thread between projects. Time will be available for Q&A.

Using Location Intelligence to detect, delimit, and eradicate the first introduction of the Asian Giant Hornet in the United States
Landon Udo
During the summer of 2020 the Washington State Department of Agriculture(WSDA) Pest Program designed and engaged in a survey and eradication effort to combat the first ever Asian Giant Hornet infestation in the United States. During every step of the survey process Location Intelligence and GIS played a crucial role to plan, conduct and analyze every aspect of the program. Through the use of ESRI's ArcGIS Online, Collector app, Storymap, dashboard, Geoform and the data collection tool iFormbuilder; data was able to be created, shared and monitored in near real-time as the scope of the survey evolved over the summer and fall. By utilizing this vast array of location technology WSDA was able to detect, delimit and ultimately successfully eradicate the first Asian Giant Hornet nest in the U.S. This presentation will focus on the overall survey effort, the spatial tools involved and the crucial cooperative effort between WSDA, the United States Department of Agriculture and a vast network of dedicated and hard-working citizen scientists. Work will continue for many years to come in order to continue to combat this invasive pest but our first year’s success gives us hope we have the correct processes and technological tools in place to hopefully build on our accomplishments.

Moderators

Debbie Blackmore

Speakers

Mischa Hey

Senior Domain Expert, Quantum Spatial

Mischa Hey has broad experience and technical skills in remote sensing analysis, in particular the development of feature extraction techniques using combined LiDAR and spectral datasets, including leveraging hyperspectral imagery to delineate land cover characterization of interest... Read More →

Landon Udo

Location Intelligence Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture

Thursday April 22, 2021 10:00am - 10:50am PDT
Zoom

Technology, Speakers

Keywords Cartography, Esri, Mobile apps, Online application, Planet GIS, Technology
Audience Intermediate

11:00am PDT

State and County Wildfire Response

Clackamas County Wildfire Evacuation Zone Map
Jonathan McDowell
During the September 2020 wildfire event, Clackamas County GIS was tasked with staging web application to show the current evacuation zones related to the wildfires. Within six hours of the WEB App’s publication it went viral. Within 24 hours it had over 1 million views. What was intended as an informational tool turned into a situational awareness tool used by the public and the Emergency Operations Center. Several outside agencies and private entities tied into the feature services published to support the WEB App. This presentation will cover the design, publication, and maintenance of the Clackamas County Wildfire Evacuation Zone WEB App.

GIS and Oregon's 2020 Wildfire Response
Daniel Stoelb
This session will cover the critical lessons learned from managing GIS in the 2020 Oregon wildfire response. Key information will include an overview of what was created during the event as well as lessons learned from this response.

Moderators

Dave Brown

Manager US Operations, Terra Remote Sensing (USA) Inc.

Speakers

Jonathan McDowell

Senior Information Software Specialist, Clackamas County

Daniel Stoelb

GIS Program Coordinator, Oregon Office of Emergency Management

Daniel has been involved with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) since 2006, starting his career working with the Oregon Department of Forestry on the Big Look Campaign analyzing urban encroachment on forestland. From there, Daniel then worked at local government for the Douglas... Read More →

Thursday April 22, 2021 11:00am - 11:50am PDT
Zoom

Emergency Response, Speakers

Keywords Emergency response, Cartography, Critical GIS, Data governance, Esri, Online application, Technology, Wildfire