Public Works

Public Works at the 2026 Esri International User Conference

How you can get the most out of your week

Cue up the music video: Y’all Ready For This?

It’s that time of year—time to get ready for the 46th 2026 Esri International User Conference, the largest GIS event on the planet. About 20,000 people from around the world will gather in San Diego, California for over a week full of fun, inspiration, learning, and networking.

For those of you that work in the Public Works industry, we have collected a comprehensive list of ways you can maximize your week. Whether you work in all, some, or one of the six Public Works focus areas (Operations & Maintenance, Streets/Roads/Bridges, Field & Fleet Management, Capital Project Design & Engineering, Public Grounds & Facilities, Emergency Response), there will be valuable opportunities for you.

Public Works Curated Agenda

First off, we have diligently sorted through over 150 events and created a curated Public Works agenda for you. There are so many events at the conference that you need to create a schedule before you get there.

This list of events will help you with that task.

Be sure to include the State and Local Government Social on Wednesday, July 15, from 6 PM to 9 PM at Bayfront Park.

Public Works Special Interest Group Meeting

As you make your agenda, be sure to include the Public Works Special Interest Group meeting on Tuesday (7/14) from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. This meeting will include lunch and a panel of Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) award winners. Come learn from some of the best ArcGIS users out there.

Space is limited, so be sure to register to save your spot.

To maximize the value of this session, we have created a pre-event survey to get your input on what is most important to you. Please take a few minutes to send us your observations and help guide the SIG content so it’s targeted to your needs.

Huge thanks to the Public Works SIG SAG Award Panel for supporting this event and community:

Anthony Powell, IT Assistant Director, Houston, TX Public Works
Kenneth Kleewein, GIS Manager, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK
Rocky Agbunag, Information Systems Officer, St. Johns Co., FL

Come Visit With Us in the Expo

One of the best places to dedicate some time to during your UC week is the Expo. Here you can visit with Esri staff, including product and industry areas, Esri partners, and other exhibitors.

The Expo is located in Halls A–D on the ground floor of the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC). Be sure to stop by the Public Works area to find out the latest trends.

We have put together a great team of subject matter experts from across the company and country to assist you:

Be aware that there are Demo Theater presentations in the Expo. You should also visit with the ArcGIS Solutions team at their Expo area to discuss the latest developments.

Be sure to take advantage of the Esri Services Appointments in the Expo. These are free meetings with Esri Services SMEs to get valuable guidance and feedback on:

  • Geospatial Change Management
  • Geospatial Governance Review
  • Geospatial Strategy
  • Solution Design
  • Strategic Workforce Development
  • GIS Architecture

You must register, so be sure to book early before they are filled.

Expo Hours:

  • Tuesday & Wednesday: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Thursday: 9 AM – 4 PM

Special Events:

  • Mappy Hour Social (Tuesday): 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
  • Family Night (Wednesday): 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award Winners

Esri’s SAG award highlights ArcGIS users that have shown vision, leadership, hard work, and innovation in their use of GIS technology. Thousands of SAG nominations are submitted each year and personally reviewed by Esri President Jack Dangermond.

These organizations represent the top 0.025% of all ArcGIS users. Let’s congratulate all the 178 winners in 2026.

If you have a chance to meet anyone from these organizations, be sure to add them to your network and learn from their work.

Public Works-related winners include:

Get Your Esri Merch

A must-see stop at UC is the Esri Merch Store. Located in Lobby D on the ground floor of the SDCC.

Hours:

  • Sunday, July 12: 10 AM – 6 PM
  • Monday, July 13: 7 AM – 6 PM
  • Tuesday & Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Thursday: 8 AM – 5 PM

See You There

I don’t know about you, but I am ready for this. Hope to see you in San Diego!

It’s not too late to join us, register now for the Esri User Conference:
👉 https://www.esri.com/en-us/about/events/uc/overview

Adam Carnow

Adam Carnow is the Public Works Industry Marketing Specialist at Esri, the global market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). He is a keynote speaker and thought leader. He collaborates with his colleagues, Esri Partners, customers, and the public works community to lead the successful application of GIS across the public works disciplines. Mr. Carnow has over 30 years of experience as a GIS practitioner in the public and private sectors, as well as academia. During his 16-year career at Esri he has previously served as a Local Government Account Manager and a Community Evangelist. Prior to joining Esri, he practiced as a GIS consultant and planner in the AEC industry. He has taught undergraduate and graduate GIS courses at the University of South Florida. He holds a BA in Geography, and a MA in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Florida and has achieved certification as an Urban Planner (AICP) and GIS Professional (GISP). He is a member of the APWA Technology Committee and Industry Advisory Council. He is a member of the Geospatial Professional Network (fka URISA) Board of Directors and a graduate of, and instructor for, the URISA GIS Leadership Academy.

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