How do we effectively communicate the purpose and value of the NSDI? This session will feature case studies of impactful community implementations, explore strategies to simplify messaging, and discuss ways to make the NSDI story resonate across decision-makers and policymakers.
As traditional funding streams for academic and research institutions face reductions, new ideas for funding and conducting research are being examined to provide a way forward during this time of change. This session will explore collaborative opportunities among and between academic institutions with research, industry and non-profit organizations so that critical advances in geospatial science and education continue to keep the U.S. at the forefront of the global geospatial ecosystem. We will hear from leading academic geospatial programs on some of the approaches they are pursuing as well as opportunities from the federal government and foundations where prospects for partnerships and collaboration may offer new avenues of support.
Geospatial data aggregation from local to national levels remains fragmented and labor- intensive. This session will bring together data stewards, GIOs, technologists, and other stakeholders from government, academia, and industry to discuss strategies for streamlining and automating data integration processes.
The NSDI 2025-2035 Strategic Plan lays out an ambitious vision for integrating geospatial data and technology to drive economic growth, national security, and quality of life. Building on the momentum from GeoGov 2024, this interactive workshop moves beyond strategy into implementation, accountability, and national mobilization.
Using the draft implementation plan created by the FGDC Task Team as the foundation, a cross-sector group of panelists and attendees will help shape adaptive approaches that ensure America’s geospatial ecosystem evolves with emerging technologies while maintaining cross-sector functionality.
This session is an invitation to Summit attendees to participate in shaping the national geospatial future. Your insights will directly influence how NSDI implementation is operationalized, and your commitments will drive its success. Follow-on virtual sessions are planned to help build the foundation for concrete commitments to implement strategic goals.
Led by key thought leaders in the field, this session will bring together leaders from federal, state, local, and tribal government to discuss critical needs in geospatial data, tools, and infrastructure. Participants will explore strategies to improve the utility and usability of geospatial data across all levels of government, highlight the need for simplified, accessible tools for decision-makers, address common data-sharing challenges during emergencies, and consider innovative, non-traditional GIS data collection methods to strengthen local capacity and responsiveness.
Transitioning to a "whole of nation" governance structure is a cornerstone recommendation of the GeoGov Summit and the 2025–2035 NSDI Strategic Plan. This session will provide updates on NSDI Governance Pilots, include a working session for the Pilot Committee, and explore opportunities to develop data governance models that reflect the greater breadth of users and contributors across the geospatial community.
This opening session will discuss how changing national and global policies heighten the importance of geospatial infrastructure. Panelists will explore how deeper geospatial integration across technology and government workflows is vital to innovation, public sector efficiency, productivity, and economic development.
Legislators and Policymakers will share their perspectives on the vital role geospatial infrastructure plays in driving economic growth, enhancing governance, supporting emergency response, and advancing government service delivery. The Geospatial Data Act of 2018 will be highlighted as well as other laws and foundational policies that are enabling progress in these areas and reinforcing the importance of a coordinated National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).
Leaders from across the public and private sectors will share real-world examples of how geospatial data informs critical decision-making—from crisis response and infrastructure planning to economic development and community resilience.
This session will focus on emerging partnerships leveraging advanced technologies such as global fire detection to promote community resilience by establishing a "systems of systems" approach for detection and response.
Amid heightened attention to government efficiency and the rollout of the new NSDI Strategic Plan, this session will bring together thought leaders from across the public and private sectors to discuss key priorities, shifting roles and responsibilities between sectors, and necessary investments to strengthen the geospatial ecosystem.
Professionals from across sectors will share insights on how to effectively engage new talent and leverage their familiarity with emerging technologies and trends to improve government productivity and efficiency. The discussion will underscore the importance of including the next generation of leaders in shaping the future of the geospatial ecosystem. A mix of early-career and seasoned professionals will offer a dynamic and balanced perspective on how we can collectively plan for what lies ahead.
This session will focus on how geospatial data underpins risk assessment frameworks, helping communities reduce physical, financial, and operational risks across public safety, urban development, and transportation.
This session explores how geospatial technologies and coordinated efforts across federal, state, and local agencies are driving transformation within utility sectors. Executives will gain insights into innovative applications that enhance system efficiency, service reliability, and infrastructure resilience.
Leaders will share real-world applications of geospatial information, AI, and infrastructure in emergency preparedness, disaster mitigation, response, and recovery efforts.
Highlighting real-world applications, this session will show how digital twins are revolutionizing planning, permitting, logistics, public safety, and operations.
This session will feature innovative use cases of GeoAI and spatial computing to meet community needs, offering insights into cutting-edge technological applications.
Over 150 National Geospatial Data Asset (NGDA) datasets are publicly available through federal agencies in collaboration with local, state, and tribal partners. However, data gaps and inconsistencies in accuracy and currency remain due to varying agency priorities and contributor capacities. These issues are reflected in NSGIC’s Geospatial Maturity Assessment and the COGO Report Card. NGDA utility also varies by state and federal mission. This session builds on conversations from the 2024 GeoGov Summit seeking to better understand the utility and value of nationwide geospatial data themes to State, local, and Tribal government organizations, and the private sector.
This session will examine the evolving needs of the geospatial workforce and how cross sector collaboration among government, industry, academia, and professional societies can help address challenges and seize opportunities. Through shared strategies and innovative partnerships, participants will explore ways to strengthen talent pipelines, and prepare the next generation of professionals for long term success in a rapidly changing landscape. As part of this effort, the session will also highlight plans to establish a national clearinghouse of workforce resources, best practices, and training opportunities to support coordination and accessibility across the ecosystem.
Presentations will illustrate the return on investment (ROI) when commercial entities and government agencies build upon the NSDI, demonstrating the tangible benefits of robust geospatial data systems.
This discussion will help participants navigate data licensing complexities, focus on creating derivative products, and explore the potential for a common community template for rapid public-private data sharing during emergencies.
Building on the summit’s discussions, cross-sector leaders will outline immediate and emerging priorities to advance the geospatial ecosystem, reflecting shifts in national policies, evolving economic conditions, and implementation challenges.