2026 Big Sky GeoCon - From Data to Design

Description:  
“Visual Management is the application of Lean and Agile practices to build new ways of working for individuals and teams on-the-fly” (Modus Institute).


We take a system thinking approach to the complexities of new/unexplored work, (mis)understanding, decision-less meetings, interruptions, prioritization, communicating decisions and difficulty of collaboration. Through this highly interactive workshop, we will introduce the system of communications, system of meetings and the system of doing the right work at the right time. We will conduct practical exercises that focus on visualizing our work and limiting our work in progress. We will look at value stream mapping as an effective visualization and how to put those visualizations into action. There will be exercises to harvest ideas and tackle sticky problems. Ultimately, we will turn learning into action items.
Learning Objectives

• Visualize your work
• Limit your work in progress
• Understand your work
• Filter complexity
• Turn your visualization into action

NOTE: This half day workshop is being offer twice at the conference. The morning workshop will be replicated in the afternoon. Please only register for one of the half day workshops.
Due to the anticipated high demand for this workshop, registration will be is limited to 32 participants for each session. If and when registration fills up, you can email Michelle Quinn, to be added to the waiting list. You will be notified if a spot becomes available but feel free to register for a different workshop on Tuesday.

Description:
Who doesn't love playing with Legos (or remember loving it, anyway) to make whatever our imaginations could conjure real, with just plastic bricks and some gumption. In this workshop we'll think modularly to get software to bend to our will. We'll walk through a bunch of different ways you can bring special visual attention to the focal subject of your map. As a key player in many maps, the area of interest deserves its role in the hot sun, and we'll learn practical and easy-to-apply techniques to bring them to life. Piece by piece.

Prerequisite Requirements: Some experience with ArcGIS Online's Map Viewer and StoryMaps is useful but not required.

Technical Requirements: Attendees should bring their own laptop and have at ArcGIS account that they can work with (ArcGIS Online map and StoryMap authoring). A tutorial document and data resources will be provided for download at the beginning of the workshop.

 

NOTE: This half day workshop is being offer twice at the conference. The morning workshop will be replicated in the afternoon. Please only register for one of the half day workshops.
Due to the anticipated high demand for this workshop, registration will be is limited to 32 participants for each session. If and when registration fills up, you can email Michelle Quinn, to be added to the waiting list. You will be notified if a spot becomes available but feel free to register for a different workshop on Tuesday.

Description:
Who doesn't love playing with Legos (or remember loving it, anyway) to make whatever our imaginations could conjure real, with just plastic bricks and some gumption. In this workshop we'll think modularly to get software to bend to our will. We'll walk through a bunch of different ways you can bring special visual attention to the focal subject of your map. As a key player in many maps, the area of interest deserves its role in the hot sun, and we'll learn practical and easy-to-apply techniques to bring them to life. Piece by piece.

Prerequisite Requirements: Some experience with ArcGIS Online's Map Viewer and StoryMaps is useful but not required.

Technical Requirements: Attendees should bring their own laptop and have at ArcGIS account that they can work with (ArcGIS Online map and StoryMap authoring). A tutorial document and data resources will be provided for download at the beginning of the workshop.

The partnership between local governments and the Montana State Library for parcel data integration has continually evolved to support more efficient and accurate local contributions. Building on this collaboration, Butte-Silver Bow has enhanced its parcel stewardship by developing Python-based QA/QC tools that identify topology issues, duplicate geometries, geocode problems, and other inconsistencies before submission to the state. These scripted workflows improve local data quality and streamline integration with the statewide system. This presentation will highlight the history of the Butte-Silver Bow–Montana State Library partnership, recent technical advances, and the shared benefits of cooperative parcel data stewardship in Montana.

The purpose of this collaboration session is to provide helpful guidance for anyone using ArcGIS Pro and Python together or separately. The basis for the material presented and demonstrated is everyday experience, particularly with respect to an annual project for which procedures have evolved over many years. A list of related and unrelated topics will be reviewed and audience members will be invited to contribute to the discussion. Ideally, there'll be something for everyone and, as usual, the goal is to provide a forum for a beneficial exchange of information, ideas, and inspiration.

Join us for our annual (informal) roundtable discussion related to addressing responsibilities. Enjoy this opportunity to share knowledge and experiences with colleagues; ask questions and share projects and/or best practices!

Discussion Topics
Addressing commercial buildings with multiple businesses and accesses
Addressing apartment complexes (naming roads, assigning primary numbers to each building, etc.)
Addressing ADU (Accessory Dwelling Units), including apartment above garage, etc.)

Placeholders
Addressing and Road Naming Conventions and Procedures
3rd Party mapping applications (Google, Apple, Bing, OpenStreetMap, etc)
Review existing/upcoming projects
Review unique scenarios, experiences, and resolutions
NG 9-1-1 status

This 60‑minute facilitated roundtable invites local government GIS professionals to share and discuss emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping GIS programs today. Topics may include the growing role of AI and automation, evolving job roles and expectations for GIS staff, organizational capacity and workforce development, and major technology transitions such as Web AppBuilder to Experience Builder, Geometric Network to Utility Network, and expanding use of modern web GIS applications.

Participants are encouraged to share what changes they are experiencing in their organizations, how they are adapting workflows, skills, and technologies, and what strategies or lessons have proven effective—or challenging—in practice. The goal is to foster candid discussion, identify common themes across Montana and the region, and help attendees leave with ideas, perspectives, and connections they can apply within their own local government GIS programs.

Discussing the challenges and freedoms that come with working as a solo GIS department. Highlighting asset management, empowering staff, growth policy, current projects.

Effective geospatial governance is key to building a strong and sustainable GIS for your organization. In this session, we’ll explore how policies, tools, and web applications can be implemented to create a reliable GIS framework that promotes efficiency and reusability.

We’ll share the Montana State Library’s experience in developing a geospatial governance policy, including insights from our working policy documents, scripting tools, and dashboards. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on leveraging these resources to establish or enhance their own geospatial governance strategies.

This presentation will provide an overview and update on the MSDI Administrative Boundaries Framework including Geo-Enabled Elections, U.S. Census Bureau Programs, Managed Areas, and the MSDI Administrative Boundaries Framework Data Quality Assessment Matrix and Improvement Plan.

Preparations for the 2030 Census and Redistricting are underway. Every ten years and prior to each Decennial Census, the Census Bureau publishes a new set of census block boundaries. The Block Boundary Suggestion Project provides local government officials with the opportunity to suggest changes to census block boundaries that better represent current legal boundaries (e.g. voting precincts and legislative districts). This opportunity only happens once every ten years and the deadline for submission is May 29, 2026. This presentation will provide an overview of the program, the process for submitting block boundary suggestions, and status of changes in Montana.

The Montana State Library is the steward of the Montana Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) Cadastral Framework. This theme includes the datasets of the OwnerParcels, Public Lands, Conservation Easements and the Public Land Survey System (PLSS). This presentation will provide an update about the Cadastral Framework data. Secondly, a review of the Cadastral Data Quality Assessment & Data Value Improvement will be discussed & feedback from the audience is welcome.

This presentation will share tips and techniques for transforming LiDAR datasets into stunning visuals. Learn how to leverage color schemes, shading, and perspective to highlight terrain features and patterns in ways that are aesthetically engaging.

This panel brings together Montana GIS managers, accessibility practitioners, and federal and local government representatives to discuss practical approaches to improving geospatial accessibility. Panelists will share lessons learned from statewide collaborations, working‑group efforts, and real‑world ADA Title II and Section 508 WCAG compliance challenges within GIS programs. The discussion will also include engagement with Esri on software design, configuration, and engineering efforts that support accessible mapping. Attendees will take away practical insights and actionable steps for advancing accessible geospatial services.

Join members of the Montana Geospatial Information Advisory Council for a dynamic discussion on the evolving landscape of statewide geospatial coordination. Panelists will share what inspired them to join the Council, how their service has influenced their work, and how emerging technologies—such as AI-driven analytics, real-time sensor networks, and cloud-native GIS—are reshaping agency operations across Montana.

The conversation will explore leadership challenges and opportunities, including prioritizing initiatives with limited resources, supporting local and tribal governments, navigating competing stakeholder needs, and advocating for policy and funding. Panelists will also look ahead to the next five years, offering insights on the skills GIS professionals will need, the future of statewide collaboration, and what success looks like for Montana’s geospatial community.

This session offers a unique opportunity to explore with the Council their role in guiding Montana's geospatial strategy and a forward-focused dialogue on strengthening the state's geospatial ecosystem.