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.

8:00am PDT

Keynote: Spatial Data and (De)colonization: Incorporating Indigenous Data Sovereignty Principles into Cartographic Research, and Mapping for Social Change

Annita Lucchesu will present the opening keynote address for GIS in Action 2021.

Annita Lucchesi (Cheyenne) serves as Executive Director of Sovereign Bodies Institute, and in that role, continues her work as founder and caretaker of the MMIW Database. She brings years of experience in grassroots research and organizing to end violence against indigenous women and girls, and has served as an advocate and expert in work with tribal, federal, and state efforts to better address the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women. Annita is a survivor of domestic and sexual violence, as well as trafficking. Her research specialties include indigenous methodologies, arts-based methods, critical cartography, and data sovereignty. She holds a BA in Geography from the University of California, Berkeley and a MA in American Studies from Washington State University, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Geography with a minor in Gender & Women's Studies from the University of Arizona.

Moderators

Alexa Todd

Systems Analyst, Oregon Metro

Speakers

Annita Lucchesi

Executive Director, Sovereign Bodies Institute

Annita Lucchesi (Cheyenne) serves as Executive Director of Sovereign Bodies Institute, and in that role, continues her work as founder and caretaker of the MMIW Database. She brings years of experience in grassroots research and organizing to end violence against indigenous women... Read More →

Monday April 19, 2021 8:00am - 9:50am PDT
Zoom

Plenary, Keynote

1:00pm PDT

Keynote: A Government Data Sharing Partnership: The Oregon Geographic Information Council’s Vision

Government organizations provide business services to citizens. Geospatial data is an asset held by these public bodies, and is highly valuable in improving business service delivery to citizens. Given the growing pressure for evidence-based policy, there is a need for better data and analytical tools to provide actionable information to policy makers. At the urging of the Oregon Geographic Information Council in 2017, the Oregon Legislature created in statute an opportunity for a new government data sharing partnership. That partnership promises to transform inefficient, siloed processes into an enterprise system capable of statewide geospatial data asset management. The ultimate objective of the Council and the Legislature is consistent service delivery to citizens in every part of Oregon.

Moderators

Alexa Todd

Systems Analyst, Oregon Metro

Speakers

Steven Hoffert

OGIC Chair and CIO, Oregon Youth Authority

Steven Hoffert is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Oregon Youth Authority and the current Chair of the Oregon Geographic Information Council. He has worked in State and local government for over 25 years including the Oregon Judicial Department where he worked as the IT... Read More →

Jeff Frkonja

OGIC Past Chair and Research Director, Portland Metro

Jeff Frkonja is Metro's Research Center Director, a former Oregon Geographic Information Council chair, and the current OGIC regional government representative. He has spent more than two decades working in and for the public sector on data development, GIS systems, decision-support... Read More →

Colleen Miller

GIS Manager, City of Bend

Colleen Miller is the City of Bend’s GIS Manager and serves on the Oregon Geographic Information Council as the local government representative. Colleen has an extensive background in both GIS and information technology in the public sector, both at the state and local level. When... Read More →

Tuesday April 20, 2021 1:00pm - 2:50pm PDT
Zoom

Plenary, Keynote

1:00pm PDT

Keynote: GIS for Equity & Social Justice: Equity is Spatial Analysis

Join us to hear how Equity is GIS in Action! Equity and Social Justice is how professionals are being asked to do their work. Increasingly professionals in every field from environmental science, transportation to health and beyond are being asked to deliver services equitably. How do we ensure equitable outcomes? How do we understand where the needs are greatest and implement plans of equity and social justice to close the gap so everyone thrives? Equity is a spatial analysis, GIS is key in Equity Action.

Moderators

Alexa Todd

Systems Analyst, Oregon Metro

Speakers

Nicole D. Franklin

IT Director, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and Chief Pro-equity Anti-racism Officer, King County, Washington and Enhanced Interactions, LLC

Nicole is a transformative and strategic Pro-Equity and Anti-Racism leader. As a technologist, she champions the non-binary realities of technology as a human right. Nicole advocates for integrating technology tools as a critical resource in race and social justice strategic planning... Read More →

Wednesday April 21, 2021 1:00pm - 2:50pm PDT
Zoom

Plenary, Keynote

8:00am PDT

Keynote: How access to open data and open software are shaping our world

This keynote presentation will highlight how open and fair access to spatial information and open software are transforming our world. Using real-world examples from his work and from around the world, Karsten will illustrate how open access enables effective planning of sustainable development, how sound and sensible planning of economic growth supports livelihoods, and how such efforts significantly improve a strong emergency response to (natural) disasters.

Moderators

Alexa Todd

Systems Analyst, Oregon Metro

Speakers

Karsten Vennemann

GIS Consultant, Terra GIS Ltd

Karsten Vennemann is originally from Germany and has been living with his family in Seattle since 2004. He has been working as a GIS professional for over 20 years and gathered experience in the academic and private sectors, as well as in non-profit organizations, before founding... Read More →

Thursday April 22, 2021 8:00am - 9:50am PDT
Zoom

Plenary, Keynote