GIS User Groups & Conferences
User Groups are an excellent source of expertise whether your question relates to software operations, complex scripting, peripheral equipment, finding specialized data, or networking to find a job with your GIS skills. Some groups hold regular meetings; most offer some form of online communication.
Conferences provide an excellent opportunity for professional development and networking.
GIS Conferences |
GIS User Groups
University of Washington Groups
UW-GIS-L
Subscription to this list strongly recommended for all UW GIS users. The first source of information on software updates for UW GIS users and the quickest way to tap into the widespread GIS expertise on the three campuses. An archive of previous postings is updated in real time.
UW Geospatial Club
The Puget Sound Region ASPRS Student Chapter, housed at the University of Washington, but membership is opened to all students in the Pacific Northwest ASPRS Region.
UW Consortium for Geospatial Information (UWCGI)
An organization for everyone at the UW who uses GIS, remote sensing, and related technolgies. The University of Washington is an institutional member of the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS). Tim Nyerges, Geography Department, serves as the UW Delegate to the UCGIS.
Around Washington State
ACSM Washington State Section (American Congress on Surveying & Mapping)
webpage not working 1/15/08 - alternate contact info?
ASPRS Puget Sound Region (American Society for Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing)
See also the UW Geospatial Technologies Club
Cascadia Users of Geospatial Open Source
CUGOS aims to facilitate general support and regional meetings for people who are interested in Open Source GIS software. This Google Group is the official discussion group for CUGOS related questions and activities.
Central Puget Sound GIS User Group
Meetings the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 1-3 pm at Mercer Island City Hall. Contact: Nora Gierloff.
Central Washington GIS User Group
Meets the 1st Friday of each month at the Super China Buffet in East Wenatchee, WA at 12 noon. [webpage link not working 1/15/08 - alternate contact?]
King County GIS User Group
Meets 1st Wednesday every other month at 11 am at the KCGIS Center, 201 S. Jackson Street, Seattle, WA Conference Room 7044/7045.
Northwest Washington GIS User Group
Northwest Tribal GIS User Group
An article about this group appeared in the online newsletter of the Aboriginal Mapping Network.
For information about membership and meetings, contact Tom Curley, Suquamish Tribe GIS Program Manager, curley@silverlink.net, 360-394-5337
Spokane Regional GIS User Group
Contact: Dave Rideout, Spokane County, 509-477-7251
Washington Geographic Information Council (WAGIC)
A statewide organization responsible for coordinating and facilitating the use and development of Washington State's geospatial information. Conducts bi-monthly meetings in Olympia which are videoconferenced to several locations around the state.
The Washington GIS User Community
Several community forums are hosted by the URISA-Washington Chapter. Use the Getting Started link to subscribe to one or more forums.
GIS Conferences (a very selective list)
Washington GIS Conference
Annual, in May. Sponsored by WA-URISA.
ESRI International User Conference/Education User Conference
Annual, in San Diego. Usually in August but variations do occur in scheduling. Information on this and other ESRI-sponsored events worldwide is provided at the ESRI website.
ACM SIGSPATIAL 2010 18th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Symposium on Advances in Geographic Information Systems will be in San Jose, Ca November 2-5, 2010.
ASPRS (American Society for Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing) hosts an Annual Conference.
National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC)
An organization committed to efficient and effective government through the prudent adoption of geospatial information technologies (GIT). Members of NSGIC include senior state geographic information system (GIS) managers and coordinators. Other members include representatives from federal agencies, local government, the private sector, academia and other professional organizations.