WLIA 2025 Annual Conference Appleton

GIS is an ever changing profession where it’s essential to keep up with advances in technology. Whether it is an ESRI specific program update or integrating external systems, technology can be your best friend or your worst nightmare if you’re not prepared. During this workshop you will learn a variety of different emerging technologies in the GIS profession. The first hour will focus primarily on ESRI’s Experience Builder. We will go through tips and tricks and how to best make the move from WebApp Builder to Experience Builder. The second hour will dive into the emergence of AI in GIS. We will go through a variety of different AI based technology from Survey123 Smart Assistants, deep learning technology, and a variety of other AI capabilities within GIS. The third hour will cover project specific examples of how emerging GIS technology can help in your everyday work. These will cover a variety of topics and software applications including linking external programs to GIS (such as ECM software). You should have at minimum an intermediate experience level in GIS to attend this workshop. It is also required to bring a laptop with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Survey123, and Quick Capture ready to use. It is also strongly recommended to bring a mobile device with Field Maps & Survey123 downloaded onto the device (tablet or phone).

Bring your notebooks, we're talking about all the things you didn't know you needed to know about leadership, turning your vision into action, aligning resources, and more.  This lightning round style professional development session will give you a taste of different topics that will boost your knowledge about how to be a better leader from wherever you are in your organization or career.  Learn from experienced WLIA members as they share their favorite tip, trick, or lesson learned.

Join in the Career Connections session to learn tips and tricks to kickstart your professional career or take your career to the next level. Stop in for advice, networking opportunities, resume and interview tips, and more. We’ll have open time for discussion, resume reviews, and networking. Open to all career levels, especially college students or those looking to break into the GIS industry. More to come as the conference approaches.

30 Minutes - Speaker: Matthew Haffner, PhD, Associate Professor of Geography, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire on the topic, “From Theory to Practice: Cultivating Geospatial Success in Industry” - Geospatial industries are complex, and the needs of individual organizations can vary greatly. This challenge is compounded by a frequent disconnect between what geospatial professionals look for in entry-level hires and what university students are taught in the GIS classroom. In this talk I will discuss some observed pinch points between academia and industry, how both groups can work to bridge these gaps, and how career seekers can position themselves for success. I'll additionally cover networking, building an online presence, and resume and cover letter tips that have worked for many UWEC geography graduates. Finally, I'll present a comprehensive list of GIS interview questions that former students have encountered over the years.

45 Minutes – Industry Expert Panel with Q&A
•   Frank Romo, CEO of RomoGIS Enterprises
•   John Nelson, Cartography and UX at Esri
•   Emily Champagne, Geospatial Manager, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD)
•   Grace Condit, GIS Analyst, Mead & Hunt

15 Minutes – Open time for one-on-ones, resume reviews, etc.

The Milwaukee River Basin Report Card showcases the impact of volunteer-generated data in assessing water quality across the Milwaukee River Basin. This presentation will explore the process of collecting, managing, and visualizing data from community volunteers, which forms the foundation of the report card. The project not only empowers volunteers and supplies the state with critical data, but also enhances public understanding of critical water quality issues.

A significant aspect of the Report Card is its role as an advocacy tool. By translating complex environmental data into clear, compelling visuals, it serves to inform and influence local and regional water management policies. The Report Card has been pivotal in driving community action and shaping environmental initiatives, demonstrating the power of community science in advocacy.

In today's fast-paced world, staying ahead requires access to precise, up-to-date information. Nearmap is revolutionizing industries with high-resolution, frequently updated aerial imagery and cutting-edge GeoAI technologies. Join us to see how these tools empower businesses and organizations to make smarter, data-driven decisions.

Discover how regularly refreshed imagery provides an unparalleled view of urban landscapes, enabling better planning, development, and monitoring. Learn how GeoAI transforms imagery into actionable insights, from identifying changes in infrastructure to automating asset management and risk assessment. This session will feature real-world use cases showcasing how to optimize workflows, reduce costs, and improve outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

Understand the value of frequently updated imagery for dynamic environments.
Explore GeoAI’s role in automating workflows and delivering actionable insights.
See practical applications across industries with tangible results.

Join us for our presentation on breaking down a 24k dataset to a 800k dataset for the 2025 Wisconsin DOT Highway Map! Students and Staff from the State Cartographer's Office present new methods for rule-based selection and generalization of 24k Hydro Waterbodies and Flowlines layers. We developed a predominantly automated process to reduce data complexity and enhance map readability through ArcGIS Pro tools. In collaboration with DOT Cartographic Specialist, Katie Ginther, we created hydro layers for the 2025 highway map that serve as a foundation for future projects.