Professional Workshops

Wednesday, November 18, 2026

2026 Houston-Area GIS Day Professional Workshops

The Houston-Area GIS Day Planning Committee is excited to offer a full day of professional workshops, leading up to the 2026 Houston-Area GIS Day, at discounted rates for the geospatial community.

Join us on Wednesday, November 18th, 2026, at the Houston City College - West Loop Campus for hands-on workshops designed to enhance your skills and expand your geospatial knowledge. Whether you aspire to be a Geo Guru, Spatial Sorcerer, GIS Jedi, or Map Master, these sessions offer something for everyone.

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Event Details

  • Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
  • Location: Houston City College - West Loop Campus
    5601 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77081
  • Includes: Hot lunch and Credential points towards GISP certification
  • Level: Beginner-level GIS professionals

Please note that registration for workshops is separate from registering for the GIS Day Expo on November 20th.

Register Now

Discounts to University Students!
Email at Molly Eskelson at Molly.Eskelson@h-gac.com.







Workshops

Held on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at the Houston City College - West Loop Campus. Hands-on sessions for all skill levels, sponsored by Esri, Bad Elf, PIX4D, and AllTerra Central. Includes hot lunch and GISP certification credit hours.

Accessibility Essentials Workshop
8:30 AM – 11:45 AM
Esri
Accessibility Essentials for GIS Workshop
This hands-on workshop introduces digital accessibility in GIS through an overview of the principles of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), with a focus on best practices for GIS content and organizational processes to support accessible design. Participants will learn to apply these concepts through guided exercises in accessible cartography design and ArcGIS app configuration.
  • Explain the core principles of digital accessibility and WCAG as they apply to GIS
  • Evaluate and improve map symbology using appropriate color contrast
  • Test and configure ArcGIS applications to support keyboard navigation and screen reader accessibility
  • Apply accessibility best practices when designing GIS applications
  • Incorporate repeatable accessibility checks into everyday GIS workflows
  • Identify organizational strategies that support accessible GIS content
Early-Bird $35
Standard $65
GPS and Remote Sensing Workshop
8:30 AM – 11:45 AM
Bad Elf & PIX4D
Intermediate GPS, GIS & Remote Sensing Workshop: High-Accuracy Geospatial Workflows and Smartphone-Based 3D Reality Capture
Ready to take your geospatial skills beyond the basics? This workshop builds on GPS and mobile GIS fundamentals and dives into the tools and workflows that professionals use to collect highly accurate spatial data in the field. Explore Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning and smartphone-based 3D reality capture using PIX4Dcatch.
  • Choose the appropriate level of GPS accuracy for different mapping projects
  • Pair a professional GNSS receiver with a smartphone using Bluetooth
  • Understand how RTK corrections enable centimeter-level positioning
  • Collect high-accuracy GIS data using ArcGIS Field Maps
  • Capture georeferenced 3D reality capture datasets using PIX4Dcatch
  • Understand the strengths and limitations of smartphone LiDAR and photogrammetry
  • Visualize point clouds and 3D models for GIS analysis
  • Extract useful GIS features from reality capture data
Early-Bird $35
Standard $65
ArcGIS Field Maps Workshop
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
AllTerra Central
Precision in the Field - Advanced Workflows with ArcGIS Field Maps & Trimble GNSS
Take your mobile GIS data collection workflows to the next level with ArcGIS Field Maps and Trimble and Juniper Systems high-accuracy GNSS receivers. In this hands-on session, participants will learn how to configure and optimize GNSS hardware, improve positional accuracy in challenging field environments, and build smarter Field Maps forms using Arcade expressions. Through real-world examples, you'll discover how to automate attribute collection, validate field entries, create dynamic forms, and streamline data capture workflows. The session will also demonstrate how AI tools can accelerate Arcade development by helping generate, troubleshoot, and refine expressions for common and advanced use cases. Whether you're collecting utility assets, infrastructure data, land records, or environmental observations, you'll leave with practical techniques to improve accuracy, consistency, and field productivity.
  • Configure ArcGIS Field Maps with Trimble GNSS receivers for high-accuracy data collection
  • Understand and evaluate positional accuracy in open-sky, canopy, and urban environments
  • Create Arcade expressions for attribute calculations and automated field population
  • Implement data validation rules to improve data quality and consistency
  • Build dynamic forms using conditional visibility and business logic
  • Use AI tools to generate, troubleshoot, and optimize Arcade expressions
  • Apply advanced Field Maps workflows to increase efficiency and reduce field data errors
Early-Bird $35
Standard $65
ArcGIS AI Assistants Workshop
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Esri
Hands-On Workshop: ArcGIS AI Assistants for Smarter GIS Workflows
Discover how ArcGIS AI Assistants are transforming the way GIS professionals work. In this hands-on workshop, participants will use natural language to streamline mapping, analysis, content creation, search, documentation, survey design, code generation, and data discovery workflows across ArcGIS.
  • Use ArcGIS AI Assistants to accelerate mapping, analysis, and content creation workflows
  • Create surveys, generate code, and improve data discoverability using conversational AI
  • Explore AI-powered assistants across ArcGIS applications and workflows
  • Understand trusted AI principles, governance, and responsible use of AI in GIS
  • Learn how AI assistants and geospatial agents are expanding access to GIS knowledge
Early-Bird $35
Standard $65

★ University student discounts available. Registration for workshops is separate from the GIS Day Expo. Register Now or email Molly Eskelson for student discounts.



Workshop Sponsors


Contact Us

Houston Area GIS Day
H-GAC's Geographic Data Workgroup
Houston, Texas, USA
Email: Questions? Contact Us


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About Us

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    HGAC's Geographic Data Workgroup

    Geographic Data Workgroup
    The Geographic Data Workgroup (GDW) is an H-GAC sponsored group consisting of public, private, non-profit, and educational organizations. The group meets monthly to discuss Geographic Information System (GIS) related matters, network, and plan cooperative purchases of software, aerial imagery, and data that would be too costly if obtained separately.

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