I recently had the opportunity to help organize last week’s inaugural DMV GIS Day, a virtual event hosted by New Light Technologies (NLT) that brought together geospatial professionals and enthusiasts from across the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region. It was an inspiring reminder of the innovation and collaboration that define our field and our region.
The concept for this event did not exist when FOSS4GNA happened in September. The energy and excitement of the St. Louis geospatial community was inspirational to Ghermay Araya, NLT CEO, and me. Upon returning, the event came together quickly, with NLT providing the infrastructure and an outstanding team of professionals to make it happen. As we worked on the program, it was gratifying to see the way the community responded. In a very short period of time, we had a diverse group of partners and speakers lined up to participate.
One of the highlights for me was moderating a panel discussion on emerging geospatial technologies. The conversation touched on advancements in AI, integration of diverse data streams, edge computing, and ethical use of data and. Hearing the perspectives of industry leaders underscored how rapidly our field is evolving and how critical it is to remain adaptable.
The event itself was a testament to the power of community. Despite being virtual, the enthusiasm was palpable. Keynotes from David Clow, Monica Sanders, and Barney Krucoff showed the potential of geospatial technology to address some of today’s most pressing challenges.
For me, DMV GIS Day reaffirmed the importance of staying connected within the geospatial community. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day technical work, but events like this provide a moment to step back, learn from peers, and gain fresh perspectives.
DMV GIS Day was a reminder that geospatial technology isn’t just about tools and data – it’s about the people driving innovation and applying it to solve real-world problems. If you missed the event, I highly recommend keeping an eye out for next year and checking out this year’s recording when it becomes available.
Thanks to Ghermay for inviting to help organize this event and to the NLT team for making such a seamless and professional experience.
