Latest Contributions by RosemaryBoone

If you are interested in publishing a blog post to the YPN blog, download the YPN Blog Authoring Guidelines below.    Why publish to the YPN Blog? If you're considering becoming a YPN Content Ambassador you will need access to the YPN Blog space to publish a post. Those pursuing a GISP need a space to publish GIS content and the YPN blog can be an option depending on the topic. You're a seasoned or emerging GIS professional and want to give back to the community by publishing content around professional development or GIS career growth. You're a student or recent graduate and want to get involved in contributing content to the GIS. community   YPN blog audience College students  Recent graduates Emerging GIS professionals Season GIS professionals or mentors   Topics that suit the YPN blog GIS career pathways Career advice and professional development Innovative GIS projects  Mentorship advice and opportunities Training opportunities Conference/event experience   Download the YPN Authoring Guide below to get started 👇 ... View more

The annual Los Angeles Geospatial Summit recently took place on February 27, 2026, hosted by the Spatial Sciences Institute at the University of Southern California (USC).   Each year, this one-day event brings together students, faculty, and professionals from across Southern California to share the latest GIS tech trends, showcase student projects, and touch on the future of geospatial technology.  For the past five years, Esri has sponsored the Los Angeles Geospatial Summit ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition. The challenge invites students to explore a topic using geospatial technology—conducting research, performing spatial analysis, and communicating their findings through an interactive StoryMap.  Submission are evaluated in three main categories:  Most Innovative Use of Technology  Most Compelling Communication Using Maps  Most Suitably Applied Methodology or Analysis  A panel of judges reviewed this year’s submissions and selected one winner in each category. The projects demonstrated not only strong technical skills but also thoughtful storytelling and creative approaches to spatial analysis.  Winner for Most Innovative Use of Technology    Project: Sidewalk Management: Walking the Walk  Student: Nicholas Mora, University of Redlands  This project stood out for its creative use of GIS and complementary technologies to examine sidewalk infrastructure and accessibility. It clearly demonstrated how geospatial tools can be used to analyze urban environments and support better planning decisions.      Winner for Most Compelling Communication Using Maps    Project: Gotham City Emergency Evacuation and Response Guide  Student: Khouri Evans-Dangerfield, University of Redlands  This StoryMap excelled in visual storytelling. With strong cartographic design and a clear narrative, it effectively communicated complex emergency response concepts through maps, graphics, and multimedia.    Winner for  Most Suitably Applied Methodology or Analysis    Project: Between Flames and Affordability  Student: Brian Pidduck, University of Southern California  This project showcased a well-structured analytical approach, applying appropriate spatial analysis tools and clearly explaining the methodology used to investigate the relationship between wildfire risk and housing affordability.     Winner for Best High School Submission (New Category)    This year marked an exciting first for the competition which was the introduction of a high school category. Opening the challenge to younger students highlights how early geospatial skills can start developing.  Winning Project: Clark Magnet Bus Optimization  School: Clark Magnet High School  Their project explored ways to optimize bus routes, demonstrating how GIS can be applied to real-world logistical challenges even at the high school level.  You can view all the storymap submissions here in this gallery.     Resources for Students and Emerging GIS Professionals    For students inspired by the work presented at the summit, there are many ways to continue building geospatial skills and connecting with the community. Esri offers several resources to help students and early-career professionals grow in the field:  Join the Esri Young Professionals Network (YPN) to connect with peers and mentors.  Explore free training opportunities through Esri Tutorials and Esri Academy.  Attend local events through regional YPN chapters.  Become a YPN Ambassador to build your visibility in the GIS community  ... View more

Join us for the next GIS in Higher Education Chat   Topic: Interactive Suitability Modeling with the Suitability Modeler in ArcGIS Pro Description: Through demonstrations, you will be introduced to the Suitability Modeler—a dynamic, interactive environment that provides continuous feedback to help you achieve more effective results. As the session progresses, we will increase the complexity by incorporating competing objectives through submodels. Model outcomes will be analyzed from multiple perspectives using the Evaluate tools, including summarizing results within parcels and comparing them with field observations. We will also explore various what-if scenarios using the Model Comparison interface. Rather than recommending a single definitive solution, the emphasis is on exploring multiple possibilities to support informed decision-making. Finally, we will use distance analysis to connect the resulting locations with optimal paths. Speakers: Dr. Kevin M. Johnston – Sr. Principal Product Engineer, Product Engineering Lead, Spatial Analysis and Data Science Jin Yin – Product Engineer, Spatial Analysis and Data Science When: Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 9:00 AM (PT)   Recording | Slide Deck | Resources   ... View more

Transitioning from student to professional is not necessarily taught in a college classroom and often is learned from experience and trial and error. Many students and emerging GIS professionals struggle with a starting point in tackling these: How do I stand out from the crowd and market my skills/abilities? Where is the best place to network and meet professionals? How do I get connected/rooted with a GIS community? These are all very valid and important questions to address when securing your place in a GIS-related role. The reality is you have to put in the effort to make yourself visible and marketable amongst a sea of other candidates. That also means “networking” is a requirement and not “optional” as it’s vital to have a professional support system when navigating a career pathway in GIS. My name is Rosemary Boone and I am a Sr. Marketing Manager in Education for Industry Solutions at Esri and Advisory Board Member for Esri Young Professionals Network (YPN).  Since the start of my marketing career in 2016, I have attended over 32 conferences with involvement ranging from leading workshops and demo theaters to staffing a booth and presenting on the Plenary stage. From my own professional experience and hundreds of conversations with students and emerging GIS professionals, I've compiled the top 5 most effective ways you can present yourself as a GIS professional that will open doors to growth opportunities.    Strategy #1: Attend In-Person Events   Go where the people are! That means making a conscious effort/decision to attend an in-person event such as seminars, trade shows, conferences, and/or meetups. Most industries will have a major event/conference that happens annually, so do your own research. For example, a major GIS related conference is the Esri User Conference. If you’re passionate about Earth and space science, then attend American Geophysical Union (AGU) Annual Meeting. Geography enthusiasts seek out American Association of Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting while people studying in a geoscience field may attend GSA Connects. It’s at these in-person events you can: Learn about industry trends and career growth opportunities Practice your own networking skills and gain confidence Grow your own network of professional contacts and build a support system Improve your technical skills by attending workshops and sessions Learn about partners and vendors advancing technology in that industry Where can you learn about in-person events? Start here: Visit Esri Events Overview webpage Join an Esri YPN Regional Chapter to get notified on local meetups Do research on conferences/event in your field of interest Check your university campus events forum PRO TIP: Apply to be a student assistant at an Esri conference to gain work experience while benefiting from attending a full conference. My Advice: Take advantage of attending conferences at the student discounted rate! For example, you can attend the Esri User Conference at no-cost on a one-day pass as a student. You can also register at the full conference rate at the student rate of $150. Staffing the Esri booth at GSA Connects 2025, San Antonio, TX   Strategy #2: Be Visible on LinkedIn   Trust me when I say, being visible on LinkedIn matters and will take you far! Why? Recruiters and potential employees will seek out your LinkedIn profile to connect or scout candidates. People you meet at events, conferences, and while at work may want to connect and stay in contact with you through LinkedIn. It’s a space where you can build your professional profile, highlight your achievements, document milestones, and nurture connections that can open career changing opportunities. Start building your LinkedIn presence by posting about you: Attend a professional event such as a conference, seminar, or meetup Complete a training or getting a certificate of completion Join a network or association Reach a milestone in your academic or career journey (i.e., graduation, internship, promotion, recognition, competition winner) Have a professional realization or a valuable takeaway PRO TIP: Read this blog post “Making LinkedIn Work for You as a GIS Professional,” by Sara Thompson, GIS Manager and Geospatial Professional Network (GPN) Board of Directors My Advice: You don’t have to have something earth shattering in order to post on LinkedIn. For me, I attend a lot of conferences, so I like to put together a conference recap on LinkedIn. It shows I valued the experience and evolved as a professional from it. My recap LinkedIn post having attended AGU 2026, New Orleans, LA Strategy #3: Publish Content   Yes, YOU can publish content! Are you a student? Even better. Write about your GIS projects, learning a new technology, your academic journey, or attending your first GIS related event. Are you a GIS professional? Great! You can share your own GIS journey, advice to others, becoming a GIS professional, or mentorship. The point is, publish content on topics you are passionate about and it will likely lead to unexpected opportunities while inspiring others and building your own reputation. There are plenty of platforms to publish content on such as LinkedIn articles, blog forums on Esri Community, or create a visual story map using ArcGIS StoryMaps. When you publish content, it benefits you in these ways: Stand out from your peers Become an active participant in the GIS community Implies you care about sharing knowledge Inspire others and build connections Demonstrate thought leadership Strengthen your resume and cover letter Publicly accessible through search engine results HOT TAKE: You don’t need to be a “subject matter expert” to publish content. My Advice: Consider becoming a YPN Content Ambassador. A requirement for this is publishing a blog post to the YPN Blog on Esri Community. Upon completion, you receive a badge and certificate. Esri Education Open House, Redlands, CA   Strategy #4: Create a GIS Portfolio   If you are looking to pursue a GIS career pathway, having a GIS portfolio is non-negotiable. A resume tells people what you say you can do. A GIS portfolio shows them what you’ve actually done. Think of it as the difference between listing “ArcGIS proficiency” and showing real maps, analyses, and projects that prove it. What to include in your GIS portfolio: Maps & visualizations: Polished maps that showcase your cartography and spatial analysis skills Project summaries: Brief descriptions of the problem, your approach, and the results or impact Spatial analysis examples: Work that demonstrates how you interpret and use geospatial data Code and automation (if applicable): Scripts or workflows that highlight technical and analytical depth A strong portfolio demonstrates the skills you list on your resume while visually telling the story of your GIS journey and the value you can bring to a team. It’s a game changer so get started ASAP! PRO TIP: Use ArcGIS StoryMaps to create your GIS portfolio. Refer to the ArcUser article  The Importance of Building a GIS Portfolio written by Ugochukwu Okonkwo, graduate student of geography and GIS from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. My Advice: Watch this recorded webinar hosted by Esri YPN titled Building a GIS Portfolio That Opens Doors. This link also shares the questions that were asked from the attendees. GIS Portfolio Examples: Elizabeth "Elli" Chai, University of Southern California (USC) Olivia Koch, GIS Specialist, Town of Narragansett  Georgios-Nektarios Tselos, Harokopio University of Athens Example of a GIS Portfolio, Olivia Koch   Strategy #5: Network as Much as Possible   It all comes back to networking because it really is that important as a GIS professional. Networking is a skill you build overtime. Think of it as a muscle you need to exercise. The more you work that networking muscle, the better and stronger you get! Network as much as possible both in person and online. You can also network online through engaging in LinkedIn posts and commenting in forums like Esri Community. Conferences are excellent ways to network in-person. Make it a goal to attend at least one networking event a year. Major conferences will typically have a “Justify Your Trip” on their website to download and send to your leadership. At conferences, there are typically “socials” or “receptions” that are built entirely for you to network. Here’s why networking matters so much: Build a professional support system to tap into when you need support or input Builds skills like communication, active listening, leadership and confidence Opens doors to unexpected opportunities Learn about internships or jobs not visibly listed Builds community and comradery you may not have in your own workplace Opportunities don’t just come out of thin air. It’s through these face-to-face or online interactions where opportunities can present themselves such as an open position, invitation to be a guest speaker, or contribute to a project. PRO TIP: Submit a paper to a conference you are interested in attending for an opportunity to both attend and present. This further justifies your attendance, and you grow even more from contributing to the overall success of the conference. My Advice: Enhance your networking abilities by reviewing the following blog posts: The Power of Networking at Conferences: For Students and Emerging GIS Professionals Get the Most out of Your Conference Experience [Flyer] 30 Networking Tips for Introverts when Attending Conferences Networking at GSA Connects, San Antonio, TX Presenting yourself as a GIS professional is an ongoing and evolving journey. By taking calculated risks to put yourself, be visible and active in the GIS community, actively make intentional connections, and embracing the uncomfortable, you will grow into a well-rounded professional. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or email me at [email protected] for any follow up questions. ... View more

If you’re curious about how artificial intelligence and geographic information systems intersect, now is a great time to explore GeoAI in ArcGIS. GeoAI in ArcGIS empowers users to extract, analyze, and predict from imagery, vector, text, and time‑series data with powerful built‑in tools and pretrained models. In this blog post, we feature five Esri Tutorials designed to get you hands-on with object detection, deep learning, land cover extraction, and more.   Detect objects with Text SAM   In this tutorial, you’ll use Text SAM, a multipurpose GeoAI model, to automatically detect objects like boats in aerial imagery by prompting the model with plain text. This approach offers a flexible, prompt-based workflow that shows how natural language can guide AI-driven object detection directly in ArcGIS Pro. Get Started >   Improve a Deep Learning Model with Transfer Learning   Pretrained deep learning models are powerful, but they perform best when your imagery is the same as the data they were trained on; differences in resolution, land cover, or building styles can lead to poor results. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to take a pretrained model from ArcGIS Living Atlas and improve its performance using transfer learning — fine-tuning it with new samples to better detect building footprints in your specific area of interest. Get Started >   Extract High-Resolution Land Cover with GeoAI   Understanding land cover is essential for environmental planning, ecosystem assessments, and change-detection analysis. This tutorial walks through how to extract high-resolution land cover information from imagery using GeoAI tools in ArcGIS Pro, giving you a pixel-level classification that can support everything from urban planning to natural resource monitoring. Get Started >   Extract Informal Settlements with SAMLoRA   Urban planners and researchers often need to identify and map informal settlement areas quickly and accurately. This tutorial introduces SAMLoRA, a GeoAI model that blends foundation segmentation with low-rank adaptation to efficiently extract informal settlement extents from high-resolution imagery — helping you support social infrastructure and planning decisions. Get Started >   Try GeoAI in ArcGIS   With ArcGIS GeoAI tools, you can use deep learning pretrained models or train your own models to extract features from raw data, such as detecting trees, digitizing building footprints, or generating land-cover maps. Explore this 13-step learning plan where you can explore how GeoAI is used in ArcGIS Get Started >   ------------------------------ GeoAI might sound intimidating at first, but these tutorials break everything down into guided steps so you can learn by doing. These tutorials make GeoAI approachable and beginner-friendly, while still teaching skills you can use for class projects, portfolio pieces, research, or internships. ... View more

As university facilities professionals, you’re tasked with keeping campuses safe, efficient, and sustainable while balancing limited resources and evolving expectations. Incorporating GIS and location intelligence into managing facilities is revolutionizing how we manage our campus environment from asset tracking and vegetation management to wayfinding and emergency response. Attending key conferences can deepen your GIS expertise, spark new ideas, connect you with peers, and grow your professional support system. I compiled a list of the top GIS conferences that support ArcGIS in digitally transforming campus operations.   Esri Partner Conference – March 8–9, 2026 | Palm Springs, CA   Kicking us off is the Esri Partner Conference (EPC) happening March 8-9. 2026 in Palm, Springs, California. This is where you can learn about Esri’s partners and their resources and opportunities that are specific to the GIS industry.  The partners are all apart of the Esri Partner Network which can be valuable for institutions exploring integrations with Esri products and strategic use of ArcGIS technology. The conference features keynote presentations, technical updates from Esri thought leaders, best-practice discussions, and curated networking activities that help attendees stay current on trends like GeoAI and enterprise GIS strategies. Why it matters: EPC is ideal for facilities managers interested in how GIS technologies are being extended across industries and how strategic collaborations can help push your campus GIS initiatives forward.   Geodesign Summit - April 14–16 | Redlands, CA   The Geodesign Summit takes place at the Esri HQ in Redlands, California April 14-16, 2026. This in-person (and online option) brings together planners, designers, GIS practitioners, and innovators to explore how geospatial data and design frameworks can solve complex challenges. The best part? Registration is free. Geodesign blends spatial analysis with strategic design principles to support smarter decision-making across disciplines. Attendees can look forward to hearing from industry leaders in panel discussions, networking with peers, and learn about enhanced Esri technology like ArcGIS Experience Builder, ArcGIS GeoBIM, and ArcGIS Urban. Why it matters: For facilities managers on campus, geodesign offers powerful methods for envisioning future development, optimizing land use, and engaging stakeholders with compelling visual narratives.   Esri User Conference – July 14–18, 2026 | San Diego, CA   The annual Esri User Conference (UC) is the largest GIS event in the world and a must-attend for anyone serious about geospatial innovation. Happening July 14-18, 2026 in San Diego, California, UC brings together thousands of GIS professionals from across the globe in diverse sectors such as education, utilities, infrastructure, transportation, public safety, and so much more. UC offers a comprehensive program of technical sessions, hands-on labs, plenary sessions, networking socials, and expansive Expo Hall. There are many sessions and user presentations that support campus operations such as understanding ArcGIS Indoors, digital twins, GIS tools for public safety, and so much more. Why it matters: UC offers a breadth of examples and value of applying GIS across disciplines making it ideal for connecting strategic vision with practical, implementable tools.   APPA Annual Conference – July 15–17, 2026 | Washington, DC The APPA Annual Conference is the premier event for educational facilities professionals from universities, colleges, and K-12 systems. The conferences takes place July 15-17 in Washington, DC with a focus on facilities leadership, operations, and innovation and include addressing key topics like campus planning, sustainability, asset lifecycle management, and data-driven decision-making. Attending APPA will get you networking with peers from other institutions which is a powerful way to exchange creative applications of GIS technology. Why it matters: APPA connects you with the broader facilities management community  perfect for blending GIS capabilities with institutional goals and operational leadership.   CFTA Annual Conference – August 4–6, 2026 | Minneapolis, MN   The Campus FM Technology Association (CFTA) Annual Conference is focused specifically on technology solutions for facilities management and connects campus practitioners, technologists, and industry partners to advance the effective use of technology in campus facilities and infrastructure management. Attendees include technology leaders, facilities professionals, and business partners who are exploring innovative systems including GIS, IoT sensors, CAFM, CMMS, and data platforms all to support smarter campus operations. This blog post by Jeff Ulricken, Assistant Director for Spatial Services at University of Rhode Island, to learn how CFTA is at the forefront of driving smart campus operations and elevating Esri po-wered facilities management across higher education. Why it matters: CFTA is a high-value forum if your work sits at the intersection of GIS and other facilities technology. For Esri users, CFTA offers a uniquely practical community to align GIS with core campus systems – turning spatial data into operational impact.   Esri Infrastructure Management & GIS Conference (IMGIS) – Oct 27–29, 2026 | Palm Springs, CA   Closing out the year is the Esri Infrastructure Management & GIS Conference (IMGIS) taking place October 27-29, 2026 in Palm, Springs, California. It’s a focused event that highlights how GIS can be applied to infrastructure lifecycle management. Although this conference historically attracts professionals from utilities and engineering, it has direct relevance for campus facilities teams who are responsible for managing built infrastructure, utilities networks, and spatial operations. Sessions typically cover workflows for asset management, network analysis, mobile integration, data modeling, and analytics. IMGIS provides a space to dive deeper into infrastructure-oriented GIS solutions. Why it matters: IMGIS is your go-to for advanced discussions on GIS workflows that bridge operational data with infrastructure decision support. There’s a strong GIS conference ecosystem in 2026 that supports both strategic vision and practical implementation. Any of the events listed above will give you the knowledge, community, and inspiration you need to support your smart campus operations goals in leveraging GIS to transform campus operations. Comment below any other events you feel are essential to smart campus operations specifically around implementing GIS. ... View more