Kentucky GIS Conference 2026: Full Schedule

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1:30pm EDT

AI: The Superpower Your GIS Toolbox Has Been Missing

Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept for GIS professionals — it's a practical, accessible tool reshaping how we collect, analyze, and interact with spatial data. This session explores real-world AI applications in a regional planning and transportation GIS environment, drawing on hands-on experience integrating AI into everyday workflows.

Examples include: using AI to generate Python scripts for GIS functions; automating real-time data collection with ArcGIS Notebook Server; building natural language interfaces to create geospatial features in ArcGIS Pro; and leveraging AI with Survey 123 to analyze field-collected photos.

We'll address both the potential and limitations of AI in GIS, including accuracy, data privacy, and the continued importance of professional judgment. You'll leave with actionable ideas and a clearer sense of where AI fits — and where it doesn't — in the modern GIS toolbox.

Speakers

David Shuey

Director of Information Systems and Analytics, OKI Regional Council of Governments

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Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
The Bluegrass Ballroom - B

Breakout Session

2:10pm EDT

Modernizing GIS Applications: An AI-Assisted Approach to Migrating from Web AppBuilder to Experience Builder

Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:10pm - 2:40pm EDT

The Bluegrass Ballroom - B

Migrating from ArcGIS Web AppBuilder to Experience Builder is more than a technical lift — it's an opportunity to rethink how your applications are built, maintained, and extended. But without the right approach, teams risk losing functionality, accumulating technical debt, or producing inconsistent results across a large application portfolio. Dymaptic partnered with PDS to tackle this challenge using an AI-assisted migration workflow. In this session, we'll share how that workflow helped the team interpret existing application patterns, reduce conversion gaps, and deliver Experience Builder apps that are more flexible, consistent, and easier to support long-term.

We'll also walk through how AI can accelerate the development of custom Experience Builder widgets — giving teams a practical path to extending their applications beyond out-of-the-box functionality. Along the way, we'll share real examples, lessons learned, and a candid look at where AI helps most (and where human judgment still matters).

Speakers

Joe Busemeyer

GIS Applications Development Coordinator, Planning and Development Services of Kenton County

Joseph Busemeyer, GISP, is the GIS Applications Development Coordinator at Planning and Development Services of Kenton County. A University of Cincinnati alumnus, he holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Geography and a Master of Arts in Geography with a concentration in GIS... Read More →

Kevin Sadrak

Sr. GIS Developer, dymaptic

Kevin, as a child, used to sit and read the CIA World Factbook, captivated by the geographical information and fold-out maps. Fast forward twenty years, and he is now making maps, performing analysis, and teaching others GIS. From task automation and custom integration to data warehouses... Read More →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:10pm - 2:40pm EDT
The Bluegrass Ballroom - B

Breakout Session

2:50pm EDT

Applications and Benefits of Geospatial AI

Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:50pm - 3:20pm EDT

The Bluegrass Ballroom - B

Geospatial AI (GeoAI) means different things to different people, but at its core, it combines artificial intelligence with remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to unlock new ways of analyzing and understanding geospatial data.

This webinar takes a practical look at the latest advancements in GeoAI and demonstrates how these technologies can automate workflows, streamline operations, and improve efficiency. Through real-world examples and use cases, you'll discover how organizations are applying GeoAI to solve complex challenges, reduce manual effort, and make more informed decisions. We'll also discuss the key benefits, considerations, and opportunities for integrating GeoAI into your own geospatial workflows.

Speakers

Rick Wallace

Southeast Region Manager, NV5 Geospatial

Feel free to contact me on my Cell - 910-899-7837

Austin Coates

Director of Product Management, NV5 Geospatial

Austin Coates is a product leader specializing in geospatial technology, remote sensing, and Earth observation, with extensive experience leading product strategy and cross-functional teams across the imagery ecosystem. He currently serves as Director of Product Management at NV5... Read More →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:50pm - 3:20pm EDT
The Bluegrass Ballroom - B

Breakout Session

4:00pm EDT

ArcGIS: A Geospatial AI Platform

Wednesday September 30, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

The Bluegrass Ballroom - B

This session will provide an overview of ArcGIS as a geospatial AI platform bringing artificial intelligence and machine learning directly into GIS workflows, enabling users to extract deeper insights from spatial data. This session will explain Esri’s approach to AI, introduce ArcGIS assistants, and provide a current overview of GeoAI capabilities available across the platform today. Attendees will see live demonstrations highlighting how GeoAI can accelerate analysis, improve decision‑making, and scale spatial intelligence.

Speakers

Shawn Barbie

Solution Engineer, Esri

Shawn is a solution engineer with Esri based out of the St. Louis Regional Office supporting state and local governments in Kentucky and other states throughout the Midwest. He has over seven year's experience working in state government spanning desktop GIS analysis, web mapping... Read More →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
The Bluegrass Ballroom - B

1-hour Breakout Session