by Sarah Bender
Join the CMU Libraries Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Services team on Wednesday, November 12 for “GIS Day 2025: Come One, Come All!” For the fourth year in a row, the Libraries will celebrate the positive impact of GIS applications, welcoming members of CMU and the wider Pittsburgh community to a day-long symposium dedicated to exploring resources, sharing research, and networking.
GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems and are computer-based tools used to store, visualize, analyze, and interpret geographic data. Typically celebrated on the third Wednesday of November — this year, the Libraries is getting a head start on the festivities — GIS Day is an international forum for users of GIS technology to demonstrate real-world applications that are making a difference in society, and for people to learn more about GIS and its benefits.
“GIS Day is a chance for anyone, from first-year students to advanced researchers and professionals, to further explore the ways GIS technology can aid them in their work,” said event chair Jessica Benner, CMU’s GIS and Spatial Data Librarian.
The symposium returns to the Rangos Ballroom in the Cohon University Center, and registration begins at 8:30 a.m. After kicking things off with a series of presentations by sponsors, including GIS software company Esri, attendees will split into groups for roundtable discussions.
“What stands out about CMU’s GIS Day is how it brings together such a passionate community of people using geography to make a difference,” said Esri’s Northeast Regional Manager Rachel Weeden, who works with local governments and other partners across Pennsylvania. “That spirit of collaboration — between universities, government, and industry — is what makes the Pittsburgh region such a special place for GIS impact.”
New this year, a panel discussion will bring together representatives from local data repositories to talk about the importance of data access. Sam Buckley of Pittsburgh Regional Transit, a new member of the GIS Day Planning committee, shared his take on the importance of GIS Day. “It is especially significant this year because of the threats and challenges we’re facing to public data access right now,” he explained. “Over the past year, many essential data resources have been taken offline, or are threatened by funding cuts. This event is an opportunity to work with our peers and colleagues to understand what’s going on, strategize around data access, and share the resources we have available locally.”
Lunch follows the panel, sponsored by the Sustainability Initiative. Attendees will then have a chance to check out the Open House and Map Gallery, including a select number of participant maps showcasing academic and professional GIS projects. Next, participants all across the Pittsburgh region will give a series of lightning talks focusing on a variety of topics, including veterinary deserts, urban heat island effects, bespoke ArcGIS tools, and the results of a spatial visualization training program. These presentations are between three and five minutes long, and cover a variety of research in areas like policy, architecture, urban studies, and digital humanities.
After the short presentations, the day concludes with a happy hour for participants to mingle and network, sponsored by the Larson Design Group.
“This is my third year on the GIS Day planning committee, and it’s been amazing to see how the event keeps growing — bigger, more collaborative, and more inspiring each year,” said Suzy Li, Doctoral Candidate and Teaching Fellow in CMU’s School of Architecture. “It helps bridge the gap between academia and government perspectives, and gives students a great chance to share their work, meet professionals, and connect with future employers.”
“GIS Day 2025: Come One, Come All!” is an in-person event. Register to attend.