I’m thrilled to announce that the GIS Managers Summit is now the GIS Leadership Summit! This new name reflects the event’s expanded focus and the evolving role of GIS professionals as leaders and innovators. Along with the rebranding, there are exciting changes to the event itself—new opportunities for learning, collaboration, and networking that will make this year’s summit more valuable and inspiring than ever before.
After being involved with the Esri GIS Leadership Summit for the past 15 years, I’ve seen firsthand how this event brings together the best minds in GIS. Each year has offered something new, but this year, I’m especially excited about the changes coming to the summit in San Diego on July 12, 2026.
What’s New—and Why It Matters
The summit is expanding to welcome a broader community of GIS leaders. Esri’s renewed focus on practical leadership strategies and peer learning means attendees will:
- Discover advanced ways to build high-performing GIS programs and teams
- Share and learn new solutions for innovation
- Connect with peers – from organizations and teams big and small, experienced and just getting started leading the evolution of GIS in their organizations – for actionable insights
Every session and networking opportunity is crafted to deliver real benefits, whether you want to solve challenges, expand your network, or get inspired.
Why You Should Be Excited
What excites me most is the summit’s commitment to a collaborative community. By bringing together new and returning attendees, we’ll see a dynamic mix of ideas and expertise. This is where innovation happens—when passionate professionals connect and spark new solutions.
How You Can Attend the GIS Leadership Summit in 2026
The GIS Leadership Summit is a stand-alone event on Sunday, July 12, and a great way to lead into the Esri User Conference that starts on Monday, July 13. With all these enhancements to the summit, and a full day including breakfast, lunch, and the all-inclusive social, the Summit will have a fee of $149 – for return attendees, there is a special discount that will come to your email soon, so keep an eye out. You can see more details of the summit and register online.
If you’re considering attending, know that these changes are all about your growth and impact. Registration is limited and open now – I’m looking forward to seeing how these updates empower us all. Join me in San Diego and experience the difference!
