Latest Contributions by AdamCarnow

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! ... View more

Houston has successfully digitally transformed by using GIS for better infrastructure management and updating systems to make the city more resilient. Key Takeaways Houston’s public works department has modernized infrastructure management using GIS technology, cloud services, mobile apps, and AI. Real-time data and tools aid public works first responders during extreme weather events. The city’s next-gen public works boosts operational efficiency and speeds assessment of infrastructure conditions. https://www.esri.com/about/newsroom/blog/houston-resilient-public-works   ... View more

Public works organizations have been innovators for decades. As game-changing technology has become more available and its cost has decreased, the number of next-generation public works organizations has multiplied. The future of public works is now, and it is driven by innovation and the application of advanced technologies powered by geographic information system (GIS) technology. https://apwa.partica.online/reporter/may-2025/marketplace/looking-for-innovation-to-realize-next-generation-public-works-turn-to-your-gis-team   ... View more

High-performing public works organizations are increasingly embracing data-driven decisionmaking to enhance their operations and service delivery. As they strive to implement this approach, the need for the latest and highest-quality data becomes paramount. To meet this demand, organizations are investing in internet of things (IoT) sensor networks and live data feeds, which are revolutionizing the public works profession by providing elevated metrics and analytics. https://apwa.partica.online/reporter/may-2025/features/advancing-public-works-with-real-time-gis   ... View more

Whether you are interested in technology or not, you’re probably aware of artificial intelligence (AI). I call AI the Taylor Swift of technologies, as not a day goes by that I do not run across some mention of Taylor Swift or AI. Having been in the technology industry for over 30 years, I can say that AI will be one of the most impactful technologies in my lifetime, up there with the internet. In response to the surge of interest in AI, in late 2024, APWA decided to deliver an event dedicated to AI for the public works community. The new APWA Technology Committee was responsible for the content. As a member of the Technology Committee, and someone who is aware of the value of AI to public works, I was excited to be a part of this new event. To schedule the AI Summit as quickly as possible, it was decided that it would be virtual. The summit goals were to:  • Demystify AI for public works professionals and explore the current state and future of AI in the public works space. • Prepare public works professionals for conversations around policy, staffing, and ethical considerations regarding AI. • Provide an opportunity for public works professionals to share experiences and knowledge about the current use of AI and thoughts on future innovation in the fields. The APWA AI Summit took place on January 29 and 30, and consisted of four sessions, plus a series of breakout rooms to provide question and answer time dedicated to each session’s topics. Below is a summary of the event. https://apwa.partica.online/reporter/may-2025/features/public-works-meets-ai-takeaways-from-apwas-first-ai-summit   ... View more

In the heart of Oak Hill, West Virginia, lies Needleseye Park, a 300-acre recreational paradise that has undergone a remarkable transformation, thanks to the innovative use of geographic information system (GIS) technology. From its humble beginnings as a hidden gem among the rolling hills of West Virginia to its current status as a premier climbing destination, Needleseye Park's journey is a testament to the power of GIS in shaping outdoor recreational spaces. https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2025/index.php#/p/12   ... View more

One thing all infrastructure has in common is location. The United States has long been one of the top global economies and has one of the highest levels of quality of life. Much of that historical success can be attributed to the health and continued expansion of American infrastructure. This infrastructure is so critical to our nation’s prosperity that it is important to monitor its status, plan its future, and fund it accordingly. Geographic information system (GIS) technology is an essential part of this process for maintaining and improving our infrastructure. Read the article here: https://apwa.partica.online/reporter/july-2025/regulars/how-to-raise-the-grades-in-asces-infrastructure-report-card-with-gis   ... View more

Road debris, potholes, clogged gutters, and other minor infrastructure problems may not be urgent, but they do cause residents disruption or delay. Most local governments have some kind of reporting system in place for nonemergency issues, but these systems vary widely in efficiency and effectiveness. Enter the Citizen Problem Reporter solution by ArcGIS Solutions. Citizen Problem Reporter includes a series of preconfigured apps that help local governments streamline how nonemergency requests are submitted and managed. https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-solutions/local-government/citizen-problem-reporter-a-game-changer-for-montgomery-township-pa   ... View more

Winter weather impacts roadway safety and increases the risk of traffic accidents. Governments spend over two billion dollars annually to plan, prepare, and execute winter weather operations. As the intensity of winter storms increase, it is crucial for agencies to incorporate real-time data in their response activities. ArcGIS Solutions, Esri’s collection of industry-specific configurations of ArcGIS, offers a real-time mapping, technology-based Winter Weather Operations solution. This solution utilizes ArcGIS Velocity, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) Internet of Things (IoT) application that allows you to ingest, visualize, and analyze streaming data in real time to make informed operational decisions. https://www.esri.com/en-us/c/product/winter-weather-operations  ... View more

From reducing traffic accidents to minimizing pollution, clean streets and gutters enhance the appearance of your community and play a crucial role in boosting safety and environmental health. Esri’s Street Sweeping Operations solution helps you improve sweep schedule planning, track real-time progress, and share near real-time sweeping updates with the public. This solution uses ArcGIS Velocity, a software as a service (SaaS) Internet of Things (IoT) application that allows you to ingest, visualize, and analyze streaming data in real time to make informed operational decisions. https://www.esri.com/en-us/c/product/street-sweeping-operations  ... View more

Over the past year, we have showcased previews of the next generation of ArcGIS Field Maps. The upcoming release is not only packed with new highly requested capabilities but also leverages the latest advancements in mobile software development. In support of the Q3 mobile release, you will begin to notice changes in Field Maps Designer with the ArcGIS Enterprise 11.5 update in May and the June release of ArcGIS Online. You can access this upcoming release through the Early Adopter Community. https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/field-maps/field-mobility/get-ready-for-the-biggest-field-maps-release-yet   ... View more

If you are attending the Trimble Innovate conference, please consider attending my session. Top Ten Ways to Maximize the Impact of ArcGIS Session 1140 - Wednesday, October 15, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Mountain Time Trimble Unity Maintain is built on Esri's ArcGIS platform. ArcGIS is the world’s leading GIS mapping software. There are a lot of opportunities to utilize ArcGIS beyond Trimble Unity Maintain that can deliver significant business value. This presentation will review the Top Ten ways to maximize the impact of ArcGIS for your organization and include best practice examples from your peers and resources you can use to emulate their successes. Topics include techniques to improve data sharing, community engagement, collaboration, visualizing/monitoring/analyzing operations in real-time, process automation, digital twins, system integration, network modeling, indoor mapping, vertical asset management, CAD/BIM integration, artificial intelligence, and use of Esri's complimentary, configurable, collection of ArcGIS-powered solutions. https://assetlifecycle.trimble.com/en/learn/innovate-overview  ... View more

Gord Reynolds, a utility and infrastructure leader in Ontario, Canada, explains how location technology transformed its urban insfrastructure management. Esri’s John Lenahan hosts. https://www.esri.com/about/newsroom/podcast/how-toronto-modernized-its-urban-infrastructure-management   ... View more

The Lisbon Drainage Master Plan is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming the Portuguese capital’s resilience to flooding, while simultaneously integrating innovative environmental solutions and advanced technology. Led by a dedicated team, with key experts such as BIM manager Tiago Andrade Gomes, the project tackles Lisbon’s long history of devastating floods. Occurring as recently as 2022, these floods have caused significant damage, both in terms of lives lost and economic impact—losses from the most recent flood amounted to nearly 50 million euros. https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/blog/articles/transforming-flood-resilience-with-gis-bim  ... View more

Esri is trekking to the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) 2025 Annual Conference, September 16–18 in Orlando, Florida. We’ve assembled a team of Parks and Recreation GIS subject matter experts from across the company to help you learn more about how to maximize your investment in GIS. https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/blog/articles/esri-is-blazing-a-trail-to-the-nrpa-2025-annual-conference   ... View more