Friday, November 21 2025
UWM Libraries – American Geographical Society Library
Geo-Generalist Era: Where Spatial Meets Everything
Today’s geospatial thinkers are increasingly “geo-generalists”—individuals who apply spatial thinking across many disciplines. From public health to marketing, from climate science to logistics, GIS is becoming a core competency for professionals in a wide range of fields. This theme celebrates the expanding influence of GIS and the professionals who bridge disciplines to solve complex, real-world challenges using spatial insight. It goes beyond a GIS person only working in the mapping department.
Program Schedule
9:00 AM Coffee & Registration
9:30 – 10:50 AM Morning Workshops:
- Intro to GIS with QGIS Part I
- Intro to Python for GIS with ArcGIS Pro
- Humanitarian Mapping
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Panel Discussion with Professionals in the Field
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM – Lunch (sponsored)
12:50 PM – 2:30 PM – Afternoon Workshops:
- Intro to GIS with QGIS Part II
- Georeferencing Maps with Allmaps
- American Geographical Society Library Tour
Starting 2:30 PM – Social Hour @ The Gasthaus (UWM Student Union)
For accommodation requests, please contact Stephen Appel at srappel@uwm.edu
Workshops
Intro to GIS with QGIS
Instructors: Greg Latsch & Brian Nichols
This two-part, morning and afternoon, hands-on workshop is a gentle introduction to GIS for those with little or no experience. You’ll learn to make maps using the free, open-source QGIS software for Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. We’ll guide you using short custom-made videos, a guidebook, and one-on-one help. You’ll learn how to install the QGIS mapping software so that you can continue making maps after GIS Day.
Intro Python for GIS with ArcGIS Pro
Instructor: Brett Ketter
An introductory look at the various ways to use python in ArcGIS Pro. Becoming a proficient Python coder takes time, but ArcGIS Pro makes that process easier by giving you multiple options to learn the syntax that will quickly allow you to begin that journey. The workshop covers the Python window, using IDLE to run short Python scripts, creating a basic Jupyter Notebook, and finally converting a ModelBuilder model into a python script.
Humanitarian Mapping
Instructor: Saeedeh Morassafar & Shamsun Nahar
Join us for a hands-on session where you will learn how digital maps can make a real difference in the world. Using simple online tools like OpenStreetMap and you will help fill in missing map data for places where humanitarian organizations work during emergencies. It is an easy and meaningful way to use your time and tech skills to support communities in need and no experience is required.
Georeferencing Maps with Allmaps
Instructor: Stephen Appel
An introductory workshop designed to help participants learn how to georeference historical and scanned maps using the Allmaps platform. Attendees will explore how to find resources that use the IIIF (International Image Interoperability Framework) standard, locate IIIF manifest links, and open them in the Allmaps Editor. The workshop covers key skills such as masking images, creating and refining Ground Control Points, and viewing results in the Allmaps Viewer.
American Geographical Society Library tour
Instructor: Georgia Brown
Tour UWM’s hidden gem, the American Geographical Society Library. Formerly the library and map collection of the American Geographical Society (AGS) of New York, it was donated to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries in 1978. Join librarian Georgia Brown for a behind the scenes look at a one-of-a-kind Geography research library.