GIS for PLS at IPLSA in SPI

Geospatial > The Layer File > GIS for PLS at IPLSA in SPI

Exploring GIS at IPLSA 2025: A Look into the Future of Geospatial Technology

We covered the basic functions of GIS

Earlier this month at the 2025 Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association (IPLSA) conference, I had the opportunity to present What is GIS? in Springfield, Illinois. The session aimed at breaking down the fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and showing just how much this technology does beyond simply making maps. My goal was to help attendees understand the real power of GIS in infrastructure planning, data management, and decision-making across industries.

To start, I walked through the basics of GIS—how spatial data is collected, stored, analyzed, and visualized. We covered coordinate systems, geodatabases, and why data accuracy is crucial in GIS workflows. This foundation set the stage for diving into real-world applications, where GIS helps land surveyors, civil engineers, transportation planners, and public works professionals work more efficiently.

There are 5 components to make GIS an ‘enterprise GIS’

One of the most exciting parts of the presentation was showing off how GIS is used in municipal projects, transportation networks, and utility management to improve efficiency and accuracy. It was great to see the room engage with examples of how GIS lets us visualize changes over time, analyze trends, and make better decisions—whether it's tracking road conditions, mapping flood zones, or planning infrastructure upgrades.

We also talked about Enterprise GIS solutions and cloud-based GIS platforms, explaining how organizations use geospatial databases to streamline their operations. Cloud-based systems like ArcGIS Enterprise are game-changers, keeping data accessible and up-to-date for teams across departments.

Looking ahead, I touched on some exciting innovations in GIS, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning in spatial analysis, real-time data integration with IoT sensors, and participatory GIS for public engagement. It’s incredible how GIS is evolving to include more automation and real-time data, making it even more valuable for decision-making.

I had some great help from ILGISA friends around the state. I spent most of the time looking at these examples.

The key takeaway from the presentation is that GIS offers a vast range of possibilities, but it also requires a deep understanding of its technical complexities. By appreciating the skill and expertise involved, professionals can develop greater respect for GIS specialists and recognize the value they bring. Ultimately, fostering collaboration rather than opposition will lead to more effective and innovative solutions in the industry.

GIS is constantly evolving, and its impact reaches far beyond mapping—it’s about making smarter, data-driven decisions that shape our communities. Presenting at IPLSA 2025 was a great opportunity to share that message and connect with others who are just as passionate about geospatial technology as I am. The presentation is Here.

ILGISA 2024 Recap

Geospatial > The Layer File > ILGISA 2024 Recap

Last week, the entire MSGS staff attended the 2024, Illinois GIS Association annual conference in East Peoria. Attending the ILGISA Annual Conference as a full team provides MSGS with an excellent opportunity for professional growth, networking, and skill enhancement within the Illinois geospatial community. A few days before, we banded together to cover as many of the sessions as we could, some of interest and some to align with projects. Through sessions that cover GIS applications in transportation, utilities, and environmental projects, the team can acquire valuable insights directly applicable to MSGS’s focus areas. See the full agenda Here

The conference presented a comprehensive slate of sessions, workshops, and panels aimed at advancing GIS practices, tools, and knowledge-sharing for professionals across sectors. As per the norm a significant theme was the usage of how er all use Esri software to address real-world challenges. Some of the most attended sessions were presented by Esri staff themselves, Nate and Anna did great. Some favorite sessions showcased automation and data management within Esri’s platform, covering tools like Microsoft Power Automate & Make.com to streamline repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing error. These sessions highlighted how GIS can enhance community engagement by making spatial data more accessible to the public. Several of our Illinois local government friends showed off very practical examples showed how others could automate data updates and integrate Esri software with enterprise databases using Arcade to keep geospatial information up-to-date across departments. Baylor and Micah both gave presentations on ArcGIS Data Pipelines and ArcGIS Earth respectively. Both were well received even though by Tuesday, Baylor had completely lost his voice. Glad that all the rooms were equipped with microphones.

Not to be one-sided, the open-source sessions underscored the importance of self-sufficiency and scalability in GIS, offering practical takeaways for using these tools to solve real problems. There were several great sessions showcasing FOSS4G-only enterprise GIS deployments. As more organizations turn to open-source GIS, it was great to see the ILGISA community fostering an environment for learning, collaboration, and exploration, empowering professionals with the skills and networks needed to effectively implement open-source solutions.

As an organization, I’m proud to say ILGISA is strong and financially responsible. It is great to see some statewide initiatives gaining traction like the low distortion county projections and even talk (not much else) of a statewide parcel fabric. Chad Sperry received the well deserved Hilton Distinguished Collaboration award and we even gave out the Dahlberg Acheivement award to Cindy Barbra-Brelle for her amazing work on the E911 project.

Of course, the social aspect of ILGISA can not be overstated. We enjoyed giving away some MSGS Swag and introducing Ethan and Katie to anyone we could in the Illinois GIS community. Big thanks to our friends from across the river for sponsoring a great social night at Uncle Bucks Bowling. In addition, networking events (just hanging out) facilitated connections between practitioners, enabling them to share their own implementations, discussing common challenges, and explore emerging geospatial technologies together. Through sessions and informal networking, ILGISA 2024 attendees left with valuable insights into how to enhance efficiency, improve data accuracy, and implement innovative solutions within our GIS Industry.

We've got SWAG!

Geospatial > The Layer File > We’ve Got Swag

Not the Jay Z kind, rather the Stuff-We-All-Get kind.

Contrary to popular belief, JayZ didn’t come up with the word swag, he just shortened swagger. In the original Middle-English (according to Google) ‘swag’ is a word of Scandinavian origin meaning ‘bulging bag’. Which is fitting.

Let’s admit it, we all go to conferences to get our own bags of stuff… and training, but really the stuff. Well, thanks to the great marketing strategy already established at Maurer-Stutz, We’ve got a whole storage room filled with SWAG to give away, including a few humorous stress toys from our Agriculture group. While we are not bringing cows or poop-emojis to ILGISA, we are bringing some MSGS-specific stuff: Stickers, Pens, and a few t-shirt for selected clients. We have our own geospatial-related banners and an expanding table-top display. In short, we are ready for the fall conference season.

---

See you at ILGISA!