2026 Big Sky GeoCon - From Data to Design: Full Schedule

The Montana Association of Geographic Information Professionals (MAGIP) looks forward to your participation at this year’s 2026 Big Sky GeoCon!

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11:10am MDT

Beyond Connectivity: Bridging the Institutional Digital Divide in State Government

Wednesday April 15, 2026 11:10am - 11:25am MDT

East Divide Room

In the United States, the digital divide increasingly reflects uneven digital transformation within state government institutions rather than consumer connectivity. Many agencies continue to rely on paper-based workflows and siloed legacy systems, limiting data sharing, interoperability, and enterprise decision-making. This presentation examines the transition from fragmented analog environments to integrated enterprise platforms, using DOT right-of-way mapping and statewide broadband mapping as case studies. These examples illustrate how inconsistent data standards, governance models, funding constraints, and workforce capacity slow modernization. The session emphasizes data democratization and workforce education as critical drivers of resilient, transparent, and effective state government enterprise systems.

Presenters

Daryl Southard

Sanborn

Daryl Southard is a geospatial professional with over 20 years of experience working alongside state and local government agencies to support data-driven decision-making. His background includes GIS mapping, LiDAR, and asset-related geospatial data, with a focus on helping organizations... Read More →

Wednesday April 15, 2026 11:10am - 11:25am MDT
East Divide Room

Lightening Talk, AEC/Asset Management/Utilities

11:25am MDT

GeoAI + 3D Streets

Wednesday April 15, 2026 11:25am - 11:40am MDT

East Divide Room

This session highlights how GeoAI and 3D street-level data are transforming modern infrastructure management. Using high-fidelity mobile mapping, road networks are driven, digitized, and analyzed at scale—capturing assets and conditions with unprecedented detail. From traffic signs and guardrails to pavement analysis, computer vision and AI unlock actionable insights that enhance safety, support long-term planning, and improve public works operations. Attendees will gain a clear view of how street-level digital twins and AI analytics are modernizing asset management, including real project use cases from City of Bozeman.

Presenters

Connor Burns

Regional Manager - West, Cyclomedia

Connor Burns, Cyclomedia Technology Inc.

Connor is a technology professional specializing in enterprise software and geospatial data analytics. For most of his career, he’s advised organizations in public and commercial sectors to align data-driven deliverables with key organizational needs. As the Western Regional Ma... Read More →

Wednesday April 15, 2026 11:25am - 11:40am MDT
East Divide Room

Lightening Talk, Geospatial/AI

11:40am MDT

ArcGIS for Real-Time Winter Weather and Street Sweeping Operations

Wednesday April 15, 2026 11:40am - 11:55am MDT

East Divide Room

Street Sweeping and Winter Weather Operations empower public works agencies to monitor real-time service activity, measure performance, and keep communities informed. By tracking sweeper and snowplow routes, organizations can improve service levels, meet regulatory requirements, and optimize responses to storms and seasonal conditions. Sharing clear schedules and status updates increases transparency, supports resident planning, and strengthens public trust. Together, these solutions streamline operations, enhance roadway safety, and help agencies manage resources efficiently while maintaining cleaner, safer, and more resilient transportation networks.

Presenters

Scott Wolter

Account Manager, Esri

Esri is the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping. 0Since 1969, we have supported customers with geographic science and geospatial analytics, what we call The Science of Where. We take a geographic approach to problem-solving... Read More →

Ryan Richardson

Solution Engineer, Esri

Ryan Richardson is a GIS professional with a passion for using technology to solve complex problems. He currently works as a Solution Engineer at Esri, supporting the State and Local Government team out of Esri's regional office in Olympia, WA. Additionally, he is a FAA Part 107 UAV... Read More →

Wednesday April 15, 2026 11:40am - 11:55am MDT
East Divide Room

Lightening Talk, AEC/Asset Management/Utilities

2026 Big Sky GeoCon - From Data to Design

11:10am MDT

Daryl Southard

11:25am MDT

Connor Burns

11:40am MDT

Scott Wolter

Ryan Richardson

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