2025 Big Sky GeoCon - Mapping the Future: Innovations in Geospatial Technology

This talk will cover updates to the Montana Cadastral application since its launch a year ago, and it will look ahead at new features that are planned. There will be time for questions and feedback. 

ArcGIS Workflow Manager is a scalable enterprise workflow management system that automates and simplifies many aspects of performing and managing GIS and non-GIS work in an organization. It optimizes GIS operations by providing real-time tools for managing people, processes, and products required to complete work. Come to this session to learn how you can get started with this technology. 

Montana State University (MSU) has embarked on an exciting journey of digital transformation by implementing the preliminary elements of a utility digital twin for their water networks using the Esri Utility Network (UN) Solution. This innovative project has revolutionized their approach, moving from standalone CAD drawings and map books to a sophisticated data model that enables advanced asset management and network tracing capabilities through their enterprise GIS portal. 

Good map design helps the viewer navigate information effortlessly, turning complexity into clarity. This presentation will review selected cartographic design concepts, such as figure-ground contrast, visual hierarchy, harmony, and legibility, and provide practical examples of applying them in ArcGIS Pro. The practical tips will cover topics like selecting the right label halos, defining your color scheme, and applying blending modes. Examples will be focused on print and static maps created in ArcGIS Pro, but the concepts could be applied to any type of map or software. 

This presentation explores how organizations can leverage ArcGIS Solutions to optimize operations, improve decision-making, and enhance collaboration. By integrating GIS tools into daily workflows, state and local governments can better manage resources, analyze spatial data, and gain valuable insights across sectors like urban planning, transportation, and public safety. We’ll demonstrate how ArcGIS enables real-time data analysis, streamlined processes, and smarter, data-driven decisions. Attendees will learn how to effectively implement ArcGIS Solutions to solve challenges, improve efficiency, and drive innovation, all while maximizing the value of geographic data within their organization. 

This presentation explores how ChatGPT and other Large Language Models (LLMs) can enhance GIS workflows. Attendees will learn how to use AI on a daily basis to enhance GIS workflows. With practical examples and best practices, this session demonstrates how LLMs can complement traditional GIS tools, boosting productivity and solving common challenges. Whether you're a GIS analyst, developer, or project manager, you'll discover how to integrate AI effectively into your work for greater efficiency and innovation. 

This presentation will provide an update on the MSDI Administrative Boundaries, Geo-Enabled Elections, and the U.S. Census Bureau Programs. The panelists will demonstrate their role in the election process and answer questions from the audience.

The panelists include:
• Meghan Burns, GIS Analyst / Administrative Boundary Theme Lead | Montana State Library
• Caroline Psaltis, GIS Specialist / Geo-Enabled Elections | Montana State Library
• Stuart Fuller, Elections & Voter Services Manager | Montana Secretary of State
• Dave Ritts, GIS Analyst | Census & Economic Information Center / Montana Department of Commerce
• Eric Spangenberg, GISP, GIS Coordinator | City of Helena / Lewis and Clark County
• Connor Fitzpatrick, Elections Division Supervisor | Lewis and Clark County 

Since 2017, the MSDI Transportation Framework has been without dedicated staff to maintain it. However, the need for an accurate, up-to-date, and standardized statewide road centerline dataset has not gone away. Foremost, road centerlines with address ranges are a required dataset for NG9-1-1. Additionally, road centerlines are an important dataset for helping people locate themselves, navigate between places, and are a key reference layer in base maps. As a result, MSL staff have been working intermittently over the years to create a new Transportation Framework road centerline layer that meets NG9-1-1 standards, can be incorporated into base maps, and be efficiently and sustainably updated. Leveraging the work of local and tribal governments as they prepare road centerline data for NG9-1-1, MSL has released a new MSDI Transportation Framework road centerline dataset. Attendees will learn how this dataset is being maintained and how MSL plans to coordinate on-going maintenance and improvements. 

Accurate, up-to-date, and standardized address point data have never been more important than right now for uses ranging from 9-1-1 and elections management, to broadband internet access, to package delivery. Working with local and tribal partners, MSL strives to make the MSDI Structures/Addresses Framework the source of address data in Montana for all these uses, and more. Come hear the latest updates on the MSDI Structures/Addresses Framework and how MSL is helping to improve address data quality and management across the state. 

Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) is coming quickly to Montana. The state’s selection of a NG9-1-1 Core Service Provider should align closely with this year’s MAGIP GeoCon annual conference. We hope to give any updates we have on implementation timelines and what will be required from local data suppliers. Even if we do not yet have a firm timeline, we are officially on the clock to be ready to support the GIS needs of a NG9-1-1 system soon. The Montana State Library (MSL) released its GIS Data Validation and Aggregation Portal for NG9-1-1 in October 2022. We will give an update on portal functionality and how local data suppliers’ uptake of the portal is going. In the coming year, we hope to get all local data suppliers using the portal. We will reserve some time for questions and suggestions for how we can better support local data suppliers.