URISA's GIS Leadership Academy Returns to In-person Training

URISA is pleased to announce the return to in-person GIS leadership training. During the COVID-19 pandemic, URISA pivoted to deliver its GIS Leadership Academy (GLA) virtually and hosted three programs to rave reviews*. With the CDC relaxing social distancing restrictions and vaccination rates increasing, URISA's GLA instructors are excited to welcome emerging GIS leaders back to this popular five-day training program which explores topics ranging from GIS strategic planning and team building to change management and capacity building.

Unlike most leadership training programs, GLA instructors are all experienced GIS professionals who have successfully navigated the challenges of increased leadership and management responsibilities in a technical field.

"Most of us spend a good bit of time and effort to hone and update our technical skills as we progress in our GIS careers. We take classes on how to build GIS databases or geocode addresses or maintain parcels or create python scripts and so on. We work in a technology driven field so it makes sense we place our focus on these types of skills. That is until you find yourself managing a project or team or department. Then all that technical training only covers a portion of what we are required to deal with. Suddenly you are having to develop budgets, calculate ROI, handle HR issues and so on. All of these things your technical training has not prepared you for. The GLA is a great program for overcoming that gap many of us have in our education and unlike other management training programs it was built by GIS Professionals who know our industry and the issues we face. I hope everyone will take advantage of this great opportunity URISA is providing and attend the GLA. I really wish this had existed when I first moved up into management." - Tripp Corbin, MCP, CFM, GISP

Three GLAs are scheduled in 2021 (all were postponed from 2020):

Portland, Oregon - August 16-20, 2021

St. Petersburg, Florida - November 8-12, 2021

Minneapolis, Minnesota - December 6-10, 2021

The in-person Academy allows for much more opportunity for in-depth discussions, and networking. Attendance is limited to facilitate those interactions. Learn more and register today: https://www.urisa.org/education-events/urisa-gis-leadership-academy/

* Note that URISA will continue to offer a virtual GLA in order to accommodate demand, though none are scheduled during the remainder of 2021.