Popular URISA Program to be Offered Twice in 2018

The success of any GIS program is largely tied to the capabilities of its leader. Strong leadership is necessary to establish a solid GIS program, operate efficiently and effectively, coordinate participants, adapt to change, and move a program forward. Leadership, however, is a skill that must be developed. URISA’s GIS Leadership Academy was established to meet this need.

Participants will learn:

• GIS leadership and management techniques
• 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 proven leaders in the profession (all are GISPs and accomplished in the field). Each course includes numerous interactive exercises, team-building tools, and opportunities to delve into topics in a way you cannot do at a large conference. (Note that course attendance is limited in size to encourage interaction.)

In 2017, the program was offered in San Diego, California and Providence, Rhode Island. Attendance at both offerings exceeded expectations.

What past graduates had to say…

• “Even though I am not the manager, I can be a leader for my organization in GIS, and be an agent of change.”
• “I learned more than expected. This is the first time I've been able to interact with, almost exclusively, GIS managers, coordinators and GIOs.”
• “It inspired new ideas on integration and getting the word out about GIS. The review of strategic planning and ROI was excellent.

Best takeaways from 2017:

• "Managers fight fires, Leaders light fires."
• "You can lead while not being the actual manager of your group/department. GIS is a huge agent of change in our organization. Our group doesn't market ourselves (GIS, our services and products) nearly enough."
• "My number one is that I'm not alone in my challenges and struggles as a GIS manager. I don't have a GIS community for support...but now I do."

Learn more about this unique GIS leadership program here. Be sure to take advantage of early registration and team discounts.

Images: URISA GIS Leadership Academy Graduates (April 3-7, 2017 - San Diego, CA) and URISA GIS Leadership Academy Graduates (July 24-28, 2017 - Providence, Rhode Island)