Join the Geospatial Revolution: 5 Ways the Geospatial Professional Network Can Boost Your GIS Career

Kevin Haynes
Feb 18, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Jun 11

Why the Geospatial Professional Network (GPN) Belongs in Every GIS Pro’s Toolkit

If you spend your days wrangling spatial data or mapping the world’s problems, you’ve probably heard of the Geospatial Professional Network (GPN — formerly URISA). Think of GPN as the “big tent” for GIS professionals: a place where analysts, managers, and academics swap ideas, sharpen skills, and move the field forward. Here’s why adding GPN to your professional lineup can pay off—today and over the long haul.

1. A Built-In Brain Trust

Instant network. Tap into thousands of GIS peers at every career stage—people who have already solved the problem you’re staring at right now.
Ask-anyone culture. Whether you post in a forum, DM someone after a webinar, or meet up at a conference, members are famously generous with advice.
Cross-discipline mix. You’ll find public-sector planners, private-sector consultants, academics, and nonprofit mappers all in one room (or Zoom).

2. Professional Development on Steroids

GPN Offering	What You Get
GIS-Pro Conference	Big-picture keynotes, hands-on tech sessions, and a job-rich expo hall.
Workshops & Bootcamps	One-day deep dives on hot topics (think LiDAR, equity mapping, Python for ArcGIS).
Live & on-demand webinars	Bite-sized training you can squeeze in over lunch.

Result: you keep your skills—and resumé—fresh without hunting for random courses.

3. Tools, Templates, and Intel

Members-only library. Best-practice papers, model RFPs, policy templates, and data-management guides.
Certification prep. Study groups and sample questions for the GISCI GISP exam or GPN’s own specialty certificates.
Job board + salary data. Find openings before they hit the big sites—and see what they really pay.

4. Concrete Career Lift

Mentor Match. Pair up with seasoned leaders who can open doors and review your portfolio.
Leadership Academy. A week-long, cohort-based program that teaches the “soft skills” (budgeting, people management, strategic planning) hiring committees crave.
Speaking slots & committee roles. Present at GIS-Pro or chair a special-interest group to raise your profile fast.

5. A Chance to Shape the Field

The best way to become indispensable? Give back. GPN makes it easy:

Write or peer-review a best-practice guide.
Help design next year’s conference program.
Join the Policy Advisory Committee and influence national GIS standards.

Volunteering boosts your credibility, expands your network, and feels genuinely good.

Ready to Level Up?

If you’re serious about a GIS career—whether you’re coding geoprocessing scripts or directing a multi-agency mapping program—GPN offers the community, knowledge, and visibility you need to thrive. Join today and put the power of a worldwide GIS network behind your next project, promotion, or pivot.