Wednesday, April 16, 2025

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

BY

Joseph Kerski, PhD, GISP  

Educational Consultant & Founder

Keynote Presentation: 

Why “Where” Matters Now More Than Ever

Given the embedding of geotechnologies into everyday tools such as package delivery, ride share, and fitness apps, and the spread of spatial thinking throughout organizations, is spatial still special?  Does the GIS community still have a role to play?  What are key issues, trends, and forces in modern GIS?   How is the education community responding to the need for spatial thinkers?  Join Joseph Kerski for a lively discussion on how we as GIS professionals can empower ourselves with skills, perspectives, and advocacy statements in our rapidly evolving environment to be positive change agents in decision making in our organizations. 

Biography

With 30 + years experience in 4 sectors of society--nonprofit (AAG, NCGE, UCGIS, others), government (NOAA, US Census Bureau, USGS) industry (Esri), and academia (University of Denver, others), his focus is on using geography and Geographic Information Sciences to expand the use of spatial thinking in all sectors of society by fostering educational partnerships, conducting research, writing texts and research articles, teaching face to face & online courses, developing curricula, supporting educators, and training at many disciplines & levels. But as a lifelong learner he feels as though he is just getting started and still seeking mentors and collaborators.