Barry Wellar, C.M., GISP Announced as Closing Speaker

Des Plaines, IL (July 5, 2019) URISA is pleased to announce that Barry Wellar, C.M., GISP will provide the closing remarks at the GIS Leadership Academy (GLA) in Toronto (August 19-23, 2019).

On March 14, 2019, former URISA President (1978) and Professor Emeritus at the University of Ottawa, Barry Wellar was inducted into the Order of Canada by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

Governor General Payette remarked:

"Barry Wellar is a trailblazer in the field of geographic information science (GIS). Professor emeritus at the University of Ottawa, he has been a strong advocate for the field’s recognition as a legitimate domain of scientific inquiry as well as a fundamental research tool. He pioneered the use of GIS applications in public-sector planning at all levels of government, particularly within the urban context. His leadership within the field, both in academia and industry, is extensive and lauded."

In 2011, Barry was inducted into the URISA GIS Hall of Fame. His contributions as a leader in the field are abundant and we are honored to have his participation at the GIS Leadership Academy in August.

The URISA GIS Leadership Academy has enjoyed steady and enthusiastic participation since it was first presented in 2007. Since then, more than 800 GIS professionals have attended the specialized five-day GIS leadership and management training program that focuses on:

• GIS leadership and management techniques
• GIS Strategic planning
• Successful team development
• Organizational capacity building and sustainability strategies (ROI, innovative funding ideas)
• Program investment and justification
• Change management
• Situation assessment and organizational performance evaluation
• Ethics and professional challenges
• Problem solving

The Academy is taught by GIS leaders (all are GISPs and accomplished in the field). Each GLA includes numerous interactive exercises, team-building tools, and opportunities to delve into topics in a way you cannot do at a large conference. Attendance is limited in size to encourage such interaction with each event capped at about 50 participants.