Information
Join the GGA Winter Workshop on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at InterDev in Alpharetta, GA.
Hear expert presentations from Esri, Georgia’s GIO Office, and InterDev, to get a look at emerging tools, best practices, and innovations shaping our field. Lunch is included, and while the workshop is exclusive to GGA members, non-members are encouraged to join GGA and take part.
Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your GIS skills and network with industry experts in the heart of north metro Atlanta!
Location
|
InterDev Headquarters |
Agenda
| 7:30 AM: Check-In Begins | |
| 8:30 AM: Introductions & Announcements | |
| 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Session 1 | |
| Room A | Experience Builder Workflows: Apps, Notifications, and Websites - Savannah Arnold, Rachel Maltusch, Katelynn Rogers (InterDev)
Experience Builder application development and publishing to ArcGIS Online |
| Room B | Introduction to the GIO’s Office - GIO
Who we are and our role in NG911 |
| Room C | Enhancing Field Operations with Esri Applications - Cisco Padilla, Stella Kempf (Esri)
Explore the latest Esri Field Applications designed to streamline field operations. This session will cover what’s new in FieldMaps including leveraging tasks. Learn how to build optimized routes using Navigator for enhanced navigation and planning. Additionally, discover the capabilities of QuickCapture for conducting rapid data collection. |
| 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM: Break | |
| 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM: Session 2 | |
| Room A | GISP Updates, General requirements, and understanding the Portfolio - Tripp Corbin
This session will provide general updates regarding the GISCI and GISP certification. Then we will move into the requirements for the GISP certification and finish up with a review of the portfolio. The Portfolio review will provide an understanding of the requirements for each section (Education, Experience, and Professional Contributions), what can be used to earn points in each section and creative ways to earn points. |
| Room B | Preparing Data and Building Context: Resources and How to Use Them - GIO
Georgia Geospatial Standards and Best Practices |
| Room C | Exploring Esri's Emerging Technologies - Chris Rice, Julie Kutz (Esri)
Dive into the future of GIS with a showcase of Esri's emerging technologies. Experience the Esri XR Viewer through a VR headset, providing an immersive look at spatial data visualization. Learn more about PolyCam, a phone-based LiDAR solution, and discuss its applications in capturing detailed spatial information. Additionally, learn about Oriented Imagery using an Insta 360 camera, exploring how these innovative tools can enhance GIS practices and data collection methodologies. |
| 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM: Lunch | |
| 1:15 PM - 3:15 PM: Session 3 | |
| Room A | Design Smarter Maps: 10 Cartographic Tips to Elevate Your ArcGIS Pro Maps - David Zeh & Alaina Ellis (InterDev)
This workshop highlights ten practical cartographic techniques in ArcGIS Pro that can immediately improve map clarity, visual hierarchy, and overall design quality. Attendees will learn small but impactful adjustments ranging from symbology and labeling to layout refinements that help transform functional maps into polished, presentation ready products. |
| Room B | DIVA Tools - GIO
DIVA: Getting Started, Mapping your Data, Running a Validation |
| Room C | AI in the Esri Platform - Julie Kutz, Chris Rice, Tyler Nuttall (Esri)
A crash course on AI in GIS, covering LLMs, computer vision, and GeoAI. Explore Survey123, StoryMap AI Assistant, and coding with AI Assistants for Arcade and ArcPy, with hands-on examples and real-world use cases. |
| 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM: Break | |
| 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Session 4 | |
| Room A | The GISP Exam: Expectations, Study Resources, and Tips - Tripp Corbin
This session covers what to expect on the GISP exam, types of questions, study resources, and practical tips for passing. Sample questions will be used to illustrate common topics and question formats (disclaimer: questions presented in this talk are not from the actual exam). |
| Room B | DIVA Tools - GIO
DIVA: Exploring Your Results |
| Room C | Alpharetta Drone Replacement - Chris Saxon
In the City of Alpharetta's search to replace their outdated IT drone, they explored utilizing RTK (Real-time kinematics) capabilities and adding GNSS/GPS control to their current and evolving drone mapping workflows. Because they have significant City projects on the horizon and an increasing demand for precise aerial imagery and 3D models/digital twins, they wanted to start exploring the different workflows and possibilities to meet these needs. While they are not surveyors, they wanted the ability to collect data approaching survey grade accuracy. The presentation will discuss what we learned during the research and procurement process. |
Special conditions
This is a free event for GGA Members. If you aren't currently a member and would like to attend, then simply become a member and then complete the event registration.
! All attendees should bring their laptops/tablets with them to follow along with exercises. For all InterDev sessions, the attendees will need access to an AGOL account and a creator license.
Contacts
Email addressevents@gageospatial.org