Good Times and Timelines: Esri Celebrates 50 Years at UC 2019 (Photos)
A week of geospatial inspiration and networking with a global community had to be celebrated and the Thursday Night Party in Balboa Park was just the place to do it. The UC 2019 Thursday Night Party had an added celebratory factor of recognizing Esri’s 50th Anniversary with special swag while attendees danced, dined, and discovered Balboa Park’s many attractions including natural history and art museums.
Special Anniversary Swag
I beelined through the crowd for the back of Balboa Park to find the pop-up Esri store before it was too late to get some special swag for the anniversary. The pop-up store had anniversary t-shirts, hats, flashlights, and coasters for sale.
And of course, there were free buttons.
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Not only were buttons part of the free swag, attendees received blue bandanas with a “Celebrate Esri’s 50th Anniversary” message on them.
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Best fashion use of the bandana goes to this fellow from Texas:
Sights & Entertainment
For the most part, dinosaurs, sharks, and people like Rosie the Riveter were just hanging out…
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Some people danced.
This attendee was inspired to draw.
Some people played drums.
Others played games...
Lots of games.
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There was plenty of entertainment. At any corner of the park, you could find your rhythm.
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Mariachi bands and Mexican folk dance performances were at one end of the park...
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...with bands of various music styles on stages in other areas of the park.
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Performers paraded through the crowd and DJs kept the energy alive.
Good times were had by all, including GeoNet MVP Andres Castillo and family!
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Moments & Milestones Timeline
Back at the San Diego Convention Center, Esri installed a timeline wall and asked attendees to share their moments along with Esri's key moments over the past 50 years.
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If you were there, did you spot which year GeoNet formed?
Some memories on the wall from the past five years….
2018
“Philly Women in GIS Branch Started!” -Anonymous
“Started as GIS intern at Environmental Field Services” – Tatiana H.
2017
“First Time I tried to use a geoinquiry lesson in my middle school (LAUSD) classroom. I wish I had done maps more over the last 10 years but I lacked ability. My students displayed maps at L.A. GIS Day 2017” -Anonymous
“Livingston County, Michigan – First Public Parcel Viewer. Folks Love It!” - Anonymous
2016
“I was introduced to GIS and my life changed forever!” – Sarah Grimsley
“Saw Dawn Wright at CVCSB and declared a geography major after“ - Anonymous
2015
“Federally recognized native entities of Alaska most conclusive map released” - Anonymous
“First conference attended in 2015 – came back every year since…” - Anonymous
2014
“First map-a-thon at The George Washington University” - Anonymous
“Thanya takes Do Kim’s infamous Advanced GIS Studio and passes with an A! Love of GIS is born.” -Anonymous
Here's a personal favorite moment from the wall in 2014:
“GeoNet community forms.” – Esri
Do you have any fond GIS moments from the past? Share yours in the comments. Check out GeoNet member Adrian Welsh's blog on the UC experience and see more highlights in the User Conference Space.