TUgis Conference 2019

We often hear about these terms of emerging and disruptive technologies without a clear understanding of what they do, how they coexist, where they diverge, and how they interact with geospatial technology. This workshop provides a high level introduction to these emerging technologies, including technologies and data pipelines associated with both BI Tools and Big Data, as well as a basic introduction dealing with the origins and motivations for the Blockchain, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO’s) and decentralized Applications (dApp’s). The discussion also introduces the device integration technology known as the Internet of Things (IoT), positioned within a framework of process automation and then introduce methods in AI and Machine Learning (ML) that have become important to processing big data for policy learning and automation. Finally, we take a look at how these technologies are currently being utilized in the geospatial field.

This workshop provides information on the process for becoming a geographic information system certified professional (GISP) focusing on the application requirements and exam content. Recent changes in GISP certification process by the GIS Certification Institute will be discussed. GISCI has introduced the GISCI Geospatial Core Technical Knowledge Exam so any new applicant will be subject to this exam. The workshop highlights the portfolio requirements, online application process, and exam content.

This session covers today’s decision-making process for employing three automated surveying technologies when approaching a mapping project. The session presents considerations for using land surveying, aircraft, UAS and/or a combination of the three techniques for a particular mapping project. Consideration of scope, accuracy, precision, site location, site conditions, site access, FAA airspace limitations, deliverables, budget and schedule are all factors to be evaluated in order to be competitive, meet client requirements and expectations, and be in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.

Working with CAD data as a GIS professional can be a very frustrating experience, but one many of us deal with every day. What does ArcMap have to do with my CAD data when I add it to the map? Why can’t I edit it? What is the best way to export GIS data to CAD? Why is my Howard County wetland boundary showing up in Northern Africa? In this class, learn how Esri handles both AutoCad and Microstation files, and the best methods to export GIS data to both DWG and DGN file formats. This class involves open discussion and hands-on training. We will cover the use of seed files, CAD fields, DWG imports and exports, and a number of other tips and tricks I have picked up over my 23-years as a CADD Drafter and GIS Analyst.

This course introduces students to innovative ways to communicate their stories to peers and easy approaches to share work using ESRI Story Maps. This course is for anyone who has a story to tell. Whether it’s a story about parks and recreation, public works, administrative services, or environmental protection, every story deserves to be told and ESRI Story Maps web application lets everyone share their work and bring attention to a particular topic. We will learn how different organizations using ESRI Story Maps to communicate their work, get hands-on practice with some of the most popular templates, learn how to incorporate state and federal resources (such as MD iMap, NOAA) into your stories and explore best practices for refining your ESRI Story Map. This workshop is designed for everyone and does not require any prior experience.

Spatial analysis is something we all do, whether we’re aware of it or not. It’s how we understand our world — knowing where things are, learning how places relate and interact, figuring out what it all means, and what decisions to make or actions to take. During this sessions, Esri staff will discuss the six pillars of the Language of Spatial Analysis, how they are applied and have a hands-on session for each pillar. We will discuss how those techniques are used in the ArcGIS Platform and show a new ways to leverage those skills in Insights for ArcGIS and some new Machine Learning/GeoAI patterns and techniques.

This half-day course teaches best practices in working with available topographic LiDAR in the State of Maryland. In this workshop, you will learn how to access the latest topographic LiDAR data in Maryland for preparing, downloading, and processing on your local machine. We’ll start with compressed LAZ format point cloud data, showing you how to download, extract and organize the data efficiently for further processing in ArcGIS for Desktop. You will learn how to build LAS and mosaic datasets and explore the functionality of each. We will explore custom raster functions for a variety of LiDAR derivative products, as well as the functionality of the Image Analysis Window in ArcGIS for Desktop for quick and on-the-fly processing of LiDAR data. The last section of this course, briefly covers custom LiDAR focused ArcPy script tools. Participants are encouraged to bring their own storage device so they can keep the modules, script tools and derivative products from this workshop.