The 2025 Esri User Conference Plenary was a powerful showcase of innovation, impact, and inspiration. For Esri partners, it offered a front-row seat to the future of GIS—and a roadmap for how we can grow together.
Vision for a Smarter Planet
Esri President Jack Dangermond opened the plenary with a compelling call to action: use geography to understand and improve our world. His message emphasized the role of GIS in solving complex global challenges—from climate change to equity and resilience.
Technology That Transforms
This year’s plenary introduced several game-changing technologies:
- XR Viewer: A new immersive tool for spatial analysis, launched live during the plenary.
- AI-Powered GIS: Intelligent assistants and automation across ArcGIS Pro, Enterprise, and Online (think GeoAI).
- Living Atlas Enhancements: Richer datasets and new visualization tools for web mapping and instant apps – the Atlas continues to grow
Real-World Impact
The plenary spotlighted a number of inspiring stories of GIS in action:
- Transit Equity in Chicago: Mapping job access via public transportation.
- Disaster Response: Rapid mapping by San Bernardino County.
- Health & Human Services: Food insecurity mapping in Canada and Ebola tracking in Rwanda.
- Economic Development: Retail site selection and mapping unbanked populations in Redlands.
- SFO Airport: Integrated real-time GIS demonstration
- CVS Health: Sharing when health meets location
Thought Leadership & Collaboration
The Geo Design Consortium, led by Carl Steinitz, presented a bold vision for global-scale planning to address climate change. This segment underscored the importance of strategic partnerships in shaping sustainable futures.
Cartography & Imagery Excellence
From digital surface models to flood damage monitoring and cartographic storytelling, the plenary highlighted the artistry and precision of modern GIS.
What This Means for Partners
The plenary reinforced Esri’s commitment to empowering partners through:
- Training and enablement for next-gen GIS professionals.
- Expanded support for solution development and integration.
- Recognition of partner-led success stories woven into the plenary narrative.
This year’s plenary was more than a showcase—it was a celebration of what we can achieve together. Want to get involved or share your own success story? Have you ever thought to yourself that your story could be very impactful and possibly shared on the main stage? Partners are always encouraged to each out to your Partner Manager to share your successes.
Thanks again to all the Partners who presented in the Partner Presentation Theater. (Image credit VertiGIS)
Takeaway Messages from the Plenary
- Discover the vast array of AI assistants including ArcGIS Survey123, ArcGIS Pro,
ModelBuilder, Python Notebooks, Arcade, the new Data Explorer Instant App and many
more AI capabilities - Reality mapping is rapidly expanding around the world
- Explore many of the new data resources, content and maps available in the ArcGIS Living
Atlas of the World - Check out the new Optical Character Recognition (OCR) COGO Reader in ArcGIS Pro to
easily enter metes and bounds traverses - See how Microsoft applications including Excel, Power BI and Fabric include a variety of
ArcGIS-based capabilities
If you were unable to attend the 2025 EsriUC in person, you can still enjoy the Monday plenary and all of Jack's special guest presenters. View the recordings including all 3 plenary sections and the individual demonstrations of ArcGIS technology. VIEW THE RECORDINGS
