November 27, 2024 – On November 21, CDT marked the 25th Anniversary of GIS Day with a day-long event at the May Lee State Office Complex. After a five-year hiatus, this highly anticipated gathering brought together nearly 500 state employees to celebrate the transformative role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in public service.
Left to right: Lothar Petrik, Nick Santos, Carmen Gonsalves, Michael Andrade, Blaine Wasylkiw, Jared Johnson, Louie Rowley, Mark Tyler, and Eric Anderson
Deputy State Chief Information Officer and CDT Chief Deputy Director Jared Johnson opened the event with inspiring remarks, emphasizing how GIS technology has revolutionized state operations, from resource management to strategic planning.
Jack Dangermond, a world-renown figure in the GIS community and president of Environmental Systems Research Institute, known as Esri, provided a keynote that underscored GIS’s impact on solving complex challenges across industries and government.
Attendees explored practical applications through informative sessions led by CalFire, California Highway Patrol, California Offices of Emergency Services, and Caltrans, focusing on building robust GIS programs. Technical sessions covering imagery management, geospatial Al, and community engagement gave attendees a deeper dive into the latest advancements in GIS technology.
At CDT, GIS has proven to be an essential tool for the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI). By enabling the visualization and tracking of network routes, GIS has improved statewide collaboration and provided valuable situational awareness.
“Bringing GIS Day back as a full-day, in-person event is truly exciting,” said Lothar Petrik, CDT State Geographic Information Officer. “This event wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our partners at the Department of Conservation and the enthusiasm of our participants. We look forward to making GIS Day 2025 even better.”
The successful return of GIS Day celebrated the technology’s legacy and reinforced its role in shaping the future of California’s public services. This event showcased how GIS empowers departments and drives initiatives, reinforcing its current and rapidly growing importance in state operations.