Join CGIA on 4/24/26 at 12 pm PDT for the second session of our GIS & AI Webinar: AI Skills, Workforce, and Training/Learning (3P: Industry, Public Sector, Academic)!

We are thrilled to host three distinguished experts for this session: DD Richards, Senior Consultant, Training, ESRIDD Richards is a Senior Consultant at Esri specializing in Learning and Skills Development, where she helps individuals and organizations build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed with GIS. Based at Esri headquarters in Redlands, California, DD has been with Esri for two years, partnering with customers to drive meaningful outcomes through effective training and workforce development. Prior to joining Esri, DD served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for [...]

GIS & AI Webinar 1 – How GIS and AI Work

Thank you to all of you who attended the first webinar in our GIS & AI series. If you missed it, the recording is available below, as well as slides from our presenters!https://youtu.be/_tkB0ehXIqQPresentation 1Alexandridis-Integrating GIS and AI TechnologiesDr. Kostas Alexandridis, GISP has over 20 years of experience in research and academia. Currently serving as a GIS Analyst/ Spatial Complex Systems Scientist at the County of Orange, OC Survey Geospatial Services in Santa Ana, California. His skills and knowledge include spatial data science, advanced geoAI, machine learning, programming, [...]

Nominations Now Open for the 2026 CGIA Awards Program

The California Geographic Information Association (CGIA) is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 CGIA Awards Program, celebrating excellence in Geographic Information Systems across the Golden State. Open to all Californians, the CGIA Awards recognize outstanding individuals, innovative projects, and collaborative organizations that are advancing the field of GIS.Award CategoriesExcellence and InnovationRecognizes the outstanding application of geospatial technology through innovative, elegant, or creative approaches to analysis, mapping, data management, or automation.Coordination [...]

GIS & AI Webinar Series Kicks Off Next Friday!!!

Join the California Geographic Information Association (CGIA) next Friday, March 27, 12-1:30 pm PST, for the first installment of our 4-part webinar series: "How GIS and AI Work."We are thrilled to host two distinguished experts for this session:Kostas Alexandridis, GISP, GIS Analyst/Spatial Complex Systems Scientist (County of Orange, OC Survey Geospatial Services)Dr. Soheil Sabri, Assistant Professor and Director of Urban Digital Twin (UDT) Lab (School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training, University of Central Florida)DD Richards, GIS Training Consultant, ESRIBio: Dr. Kostas Alexandridis, GISP [...]

CGIA Presents: GIS & AI - A 4-Part Webinar SeriesCGIA will host a 4-part webinar series from March through June showcasing expert discussions on the convergence of AI and GIS. This series will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming geographic information systems, covering everything from technical integration and workforce skills to governance and ethics.All four sessions will be held virtually from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM PST.Register for the entire series here: Webinar Schedule & Topics:Topic #1: How GIS and AI Work (Integrating GIS and AI Technologies)Exploring the technical [...]

Member Spotlight: Jane Schafer-Kramer

Jane Schafer-Kramer is a Geographic Data Specialist with the California Department of Water Resources, where she leads the national hydrography data stewardship program. Her journey into GIS wasn’t exactly linear—she began her career at DWR in a clerical role and, driven by curiosity and determination, took night classes at American River College to learn GIS. In midlife she pivoted from a role as an Executive Secretary to a Research Data Analyst, processing geospatial data for the hydrologic engineers. Jane is an active member of the geospatial community. She’s been involved with the Geospatial Professional Network (formerly URISA), served on CalGIS planning committees, and […]

Sustaining Member Spotlight: Shasta College GIS

Shasta College's GIS Program is the state’s longest running community college program north of Sacramento. The foundation courses were developed to support the retraining of laid off timber workers in the mid-1990s. By the end of the decade the addition of several courses allowed for the creation of a GIS Certificate, which has been continuously offered for almost 30 years. Over the years, of course, there have been many changes. The program transitioned from ArcView to ArcMap and later to ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Field Maps and peripheral apps. The GIS Program has always worked closely with government, industry and […]

CGIA Awards Winners 2025

Thank you to everyone who joined CGIA at our annual Awards celebration at the Esri User Conference last week! It was a pleasure to spend time with so many members and friends. We collected on Tuesday evening at Revel Revel with an evening of snacks, drinks, awards, and networking, with thanks to ParcelQuest for their additional sponsorship. This year, we presented awards to four lucky winners: Next year is a long way off, but we'll look forward to seeing everybody again! We've shared some pictures from the event below.

New CGIA Publication – Cautions to Geospatial Professionals

CGIA is proud to announce the publication of a document to help protect the California geospatial community, Cautions to Geospatial Professionals, in context of California statutes defining the Practice of Surveying.

This document provides carefully researched guidance and insight for geospatial professionals navigating the complex landscape of California statutes defining the practice of surveying.

Introducing the CGIA Shop

Have you been at an event recently where you bumped into CGIA board members wearing beautiful CGIA t-shirts? There's a picture below of our outgoing and incoming Chairs, Roland and Tracy, sporting them at the Los Angeles Geospatial Summit a few months back. They're a bargain, made with thick cotton, and starting at just $15 including shipping. As you can see, they're currently available in blue or green. Black (not shown) is also an option. Do you want your own? Of course you do! We're hoping to be able to offer them on sale at future in-person events, but for […]

CGIA on Film

We recently showcased the CGIA YouTube channel, but have you seen our wonderful video showcasing the good work done by CGIA? Maybe you saw it on the front page of our website already? It should give you a bit of a feel for what CGIA does and why you might want to consider joining as a member or contributing to the work that we do. Here's a longer version, if you have a minute or so more to spend: https://youtu.be/9eFF5WTfyTg.

About CGIA

California Geographic Information Association (CGIA) is a non-profit, statewide association formed in 1994 to facilitate coordination, collaboration, and advocacy for California’s Geographic Information System (GIS) community. CGIA promotes the creation and maintenance of the best practices in the governance and application of geographic information within the State of California that can become a model for the nation.

Learn more…

Join CGIA on 4/24/26 at 12 pm PDT for the second session of our GIS & AI Webinar: AI Skills, Workforce, and Training/Learning (3P: Industry, Public Sector, Academic)!

We are thrilled to host three distinguished experts for this session: DD Richards, Senior Consultant, Training, ESRI DD Richards is…

April 9, 2026

GIS & AI Webinar 1 – How GIS and AI Work

Thank you to all of you who attended the first webinar in our GIS & AI series. If you missed…

March 27, 2026

Nominations Now Open for the 2026 CGIA Awards Program

The California Geographic Information Association (CGIA) is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 CGIA Awards…

March 26, 2026

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Sustaining Members

Initiatives

Spatial Data Infrastructure Map

CGIA has launched an initiative to provide California with a comprehensive picture of our state's Spatial Data Infrastructure

CGIA Awards

CGIA recognizes outstanding achievements in various aspects of geospatial technologies within California through its annual awards program, commemorating excellence in Geographic Information across the Golden State.

Events

CGIA hosts webinars, brown bag lunch series and general membership meetings.

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California GIS Contact Map

View a map of GIS contacts throughout California. Perfect for networking!

Become a CGIA Member

We are GIS professionals, students, educators and nonprofits. Join CGIA and gain access to job updates, networking events, annual awards programs, discounted conference registrations and more. As a CGIA member you have the opportunity to participate in the shaping of GIS industry standards, best practices and legislation affecting California and the nation.