By Lee Johnston, Director of Local Government Sales
Few events provide the ability to network and learn from some of the nation’s best and brightest IT professionals like the Esri Public Sector CIO Summit. This annual event is expected to bring together more than 100 public sector CIOs from across the nation and Esri personnel to collaborate, innovate, and discover ways to spark change using geographic information system (GIS) technology. The 2017 summit, to be held at Esri’s headquarters in Redlands, California, March 29–30, will focus on how GIS supports newer IT trends influencing governments, including the following:
- Effectively engaging citizens
- Open data
- Digital workplaces
- Real-time tracking and sensor data/Internet of Things (IoT)
- Business intelligence, analytics, and data-driven decisions
- Smart machines
- Agile application development
- Recruiting/Developing your workforce
Rapid advancements in technology—such as new mobile applications, sensor-based data collection, the cloud, and software-defined architecture—are transforming how governments do business. Additionally, many governments are seeking new, effective means of engaging, communicating, and sharing information with staff and citizens more effectively and consistently. And, in many parts of the country, IT organizations face a workforce that is aging, and they are looking for ways to attract new talent. CIOs are increasingly aware of the silver tsunami (aging government employee population) and how managing and preparing for staff are as important as the technology itself.
“The Esri Public Sector CIO Summit is a great way to benchmark your GIS operations to what other cities and counties are doing around the country. I always come back with ideas and new ways of doing business that helps us gain value out of [our investment] and increase the value of GIS to our organization.” — Steve Reneker, CIO, Riverside County, California
It’s no secret that we learn best in a collaborative environment where we can compare stories and approaches. The summit provides an opportunity for you to learn firsthand how other IT professionals are responding to these same trends, goals, and challenges, and because this is a national event, CIOs are able to share and gather ideas outside their typical local sphere of influence.
“As a first-time attendee of CIO Summit last year, I have learned that the Esri platform is a versatile business tool that enables our organization to make better decisions and save money. It provides not only comprehensive information at a glance but also capability of business application. Our GIS solution for animal control unit is a perfect example.— Ed Jin, CIO, Yuma County, Arizona