Welcome to your home base for the 2023 NSGIC Midyear Meeting!

As information becomes available, it will be posted here to include agenda updates, details on sessions, speakers and other conference related activities.

QUICK LINKS
AGENDA   |   REGISTRATION   |   HOTEL & TRAVEL

 
About the Midyear Meeting

The NSGIC Board of Directors, Conference Committee, and staff are looking forward to heading to Pittsburgh, PA for the 2023 NSGIC Midyear Meeting, Building Geospatial Bridges to the Future, to be held February 26 - March 2 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown.

Agenda will consist of:

  • Plenary Sessions - presentations by and for the NSGIC community exploring challenges, successes, and new approaches for collaboration in the geospatial ecosystem
  • State Caucus - a roundtable discussion with state and local government representatives to talk frankly about current pressing issues
  • GIO Academy - leadership sessions and networking for state government GIOs and equivalents only (separate registration is required)
  • Speed Networking - the fun and fast-paced activity where business partners, who have allocated points, will rotate to complete the circuit of visiting with state reps
  • And much more!

Detailed Agenda-At-A-Glance
Mobile App info, full session details and speaker bios can be found HERE!
PRINTABLE PDF

*Subject to Change


 

Monday  |  February 27  |  8-10am ET  |  Pittsburgh, PA or Virtual

Enabling Volunteerism to Advance State GIS Initiatives and Develop Future Leaders

This year’s GIO Academy at the NSGIC Midyear Meeting in Pittsburgh will be a hybrid format, to include as many State leaders as possible. While we know meeting early on a Monday morning can be challenging (unless you are at the meeting) we hope you consider joining us. Conference registration is not required to participate. The GIO Academy is intended to bring GIOs and state leaders together to discuss common challenges and opportunities as leaders.

Whether “starting from nothing” or working to grow or sustain volunteer engagement with state GIS initiatives, state GIS offices can directly and indirectly advance their goals and initiatives with volunteers. Volunteer opportunities can also help develop a leadership pipeline. Yes, GIOs and their team (if they even have one!) have no shortage of demands on their time. However, thoughtfully planned and sustained investments of time that enable volunteer engagement can yield significant dividends. Attend the GIO Academy at the Midyear Meeting in Pittsburgh to hear from and talk with your peers about the challenges and successes of volunteer initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity to network and connect with your peers in states across the country, learning about their successes and challenges and potentially using those insights to effect change in your state.

Participation in this event is limited to GIOs, Deputy GIOs, NSGIC State Representatives and by GIO or State Representative invitation only. Invitations should be communicated to Emily Ruetz for registration.

REGISTER HERE FOR THE GIO ACADEMY
Midyear Meeting registration is not required to participate, but separate GIO Academy registration is required!

 


 

Registration

A full meeting registration includes access to live plenary sessions and other programming, on-demand content, conference mobile app and networking events. This year's Midyear Meeting will be an in-person event with no hybrid or virtual registration option as we heard the feedback from membership and feel the best value for all attendees is provided in the face-to-face experience of being present and on-site.

To register, you will need to be a NSGIC member and logged in to your account. Please note all corporate attendees must be sponsors in order to attend NSGIC conferences. (see sponsorship section below)

Rates & Deadlines



Not a Member of NSGIC?

Use this form to kick off the conference registration process. Once complete, a NSGIC staff member will reach out to you to help complete the process.

Cancellation/Refund Policy

Cancellation of your registration must be received in writing by Friday, January 27 to qualify for a full refund of registration fees paid. Cancellations received in writing between January 27 and February 10 will result in a $65 administrative fee. Fees cannot be refunded for registrations canceled after February 10.


Conference Grants

For NSGIC state representatives faced with funding challenges, NSGIC offers limited conference grants to fully or partially cover reasonable travel expenses, hotel accommodations, and/or conference registration fees. For more information, please refer to the conference grant policy and travel policy. Submit a grant application today! Grant applications are no longer being accepted. 

Call for Abstracts

For the 2023 Midyear Meeting we are soliciting abstracts for live in-person Plenary content, which will be selected on a competitive basis. In addition, pre-recorded On-Demand presentations can be submitted. Full details and instructions for submitting abstracts can be found on the 2023 Midyear Meeting Abstracts Page. Abstract submissions are no longer being accepted.

Business Partnership

NEW FOR 2023!
To better align with NSGIC’s community values and advocacy, it has been decided to move away from the term 'sponsor'. Going forward, our private sector members will be referred to as 'business partners'. For all business partner support, more information about our
current business partner opportunities, or for current business partners who would like to register additional colleagues for the conference, please contact Amy Holmes at [email protected].

Hotel Info

NSGIC has secured a group block of rooms for our attendees at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown (One Bigelow Square, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219), where the meeting will be held. Thank you for booking your hotel room through the NSGIC block; it allows NSGIC to keep registration fees as low as possible and negotiate lower room rates for our participants.

Group rates are based on room type starting at $129 (government per diem) plus tax.

Register for the MYM to receive a hotel booking link in your confirmation email!

The last day for guaranteed hotel block pricing was January 25.

Hotel Parking

The DoubleTree hotel offers garage parking which is valet ONLY and not guaranteed. NSGIC attendees will be given the discounted rates of $30 per day for overnight guests and $20 per day for event attendees not staying at the hotel. Valet will have parking vouchers for anyone with the conference.  

There is the US Steel Tower Parking; Chatham Garage Parking and other parking lots within walking distance of the hotel should you be directed to other parking spaces. The discounted rate will only apply at the DoubleTree parking garage.

Airport & Transfer Info

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT): About a 30 minute drive to the hotel. The hotel does not have an airport shuttle, however, the airport has many options for ground transportation to include taxis, shuttles, rental cars and app-based ride share.

Train

If you prefer to take the train, Amtrak Pittsburgh Union Station (PGH) is a short drive to the hotel. 

About the Area

Pittsburgh is a unique place, with plenty to offer visitors and residents alike. A city built on innovation, Pittsburgh continues to push the envelope with major contributions in technology, education, medicine and beyond. In fact, in 2021, WalletHub named Greater Pittsburgh its sixth-best metro area for STEM professionals. 

But, more than Pittsburgh’s industries have changed – the skyline has been completely transformed, too!  Riverfronts are thoughtfully developed, utilized for recreation now more than ever. Businesses look to the environment as an asset, not a challenge. And, best of all, "green" has replaced "smoky" for good. Pittsburgh is a vibrant, mid-sized city that has the feel of a small town. Its approachability can be seen on the faces of its energetic, hard-working and proud people.

Weather

Winter in Pittsburgh is chilly, snowy and loads of fun. With winter festivals, slopes, ice skating and plenty of indoor entertainment, it’s a great time of year for visitors. 

Things to Do

Embrace the season, enjoy the winter weather and make plans to visit The UPMC Rink at PPG Place in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh – just steps away from Market Square. Hit the slopes at Boyce Park or take a day trip to Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Or, grab a sled and zip your way through the many hills in Pittsburgh city and Allegheny County parks.

Warm up at one of Pittsburgh’s eclectic, cozy coffee shops like De Fer Coffee & Tea, Black Forge Coffee House or Adda Coffee & Tea House. Or, grab a delicious steaming bowl of soup at Smiling Banana Leaf, Patti’s Pasticceria or EatUnique Café.

Not a fan of cold weather? No worries! There are plenty of indoor attractions and activities to explore. Spend an afternoon at the Mattress Factory – a must-see contemporary art museum. Visit the Clemente Museum and learn about humanitarian and baseball legend, Roberto Clemente. Or, take in an exciting Pittsburgh Penguins game at PPG Paints Arena. 

Check out VisitPITTSBURGH for details on Local Craft Breweries, Wineries & DistilleriesBars & Nightlife, plus The Events & Festivals Calendar or PlanetWare for other top destinations in the area.

 

Sticker Swap!

Don't forget about the always popular, Sticker Swap! Bring some stickers from your organization to share with others. There will be an area setup near registration to drop off and pick up. 

Take a few, leave a few! 

COVID Safety

The health, safety, and comfort of our attendees are of utmost importance to us as we continue to plan for this in-person event. We will be following all guidance in place at the time of the conference and working closely with venues to ensure full care is given. As much as possible, we will set meeting rooms to provide attendees with extra space to support social distancing.

NSGIC will continue to evaluate the situation and work with the hotel to implement safety practices recommended by local, state, and federal government agencies at the time of the event. Conference attendees with special needs will be accommodated as best as possible; please contact Amy Holmes ([email protected]) with questions or to request accommodation.

General Questions?

For all registration, business partnership, and/or membership inquiries, please contact Amy Holmes, Operations Manager, at [email protected]