WLIA 2025 Fall Conference
Fall Conference at Park Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin
2025 WLIA Fall Conference October 13–15 (Mon/Tues/Wed)
Madison
Get ready to turn ideas into action at the 2025 WLIA Fall Conference, held at the Best Western Premier Park Hotel where innovation meets collaboration in the heart of Wisconsin’s capital city when Madison becomes the hub for land information professionals who are ready to map smarter, connect deeper, and drive bold change.
We’re highlighting WLIA’s key legislative initiatives, giving you the inside scoop on the policies shaping our field—and how WLIA is working to influence them for the better. You’ll also gain practical tools and confidence to engage with your legislators, helping you build the kind of relationships and advocacy network that makes WLIA a strong, united voice for land information in Wisconsin.
You'll also have the chance to explore the Arthur Robinson Map Library or tour our beautiful Capitol and get a behind-the-scenes look at the work that keeps Wisconsin moving forward.
Our lively sessions are packed with practical tools, new perspectives, and fresh ideas you can take home and put to work. Whether you're solving problems with tech, building better networks, or just looking to recharge your professional spark—this conference has you covered.
And when the learning wraps, the fun ramps up:
🎉 Monday night: Damon Anderson Zero-K Fundraiser then dinner in groups or on your own.
Order your Damon Anderson Zero-K Fun Run shirt here!
Enter Code: WLIA25
All proceeds go to the Damon Anderson Memorial Fund
🍕 Tuesday: Legendary Ian’s Pizza + live tunes at Ivory
Room Piano Bar
Be sure to purchase your $20 ticket for this event!
🌙 Plus, the State Street nightlife is just steps away for those late-night adventures.
Mark your calendar. Rally your team.
This fall, WLIA is bringing the energy—and you won’t want to miss it.
Preliminary Agenda
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MONDAY OCTOBER 13TH |
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10:00 AM - 12:00 PM State Capitol Rm 412E |
Municipal & Utilities Group Meeting |
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1:00 PM – 3:00 PM State Capitol Rm 412E |
WLIA Board Meeting |
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3:00 PM – 5:00 PM State Capitol Rm 412E |
WLIC Meeting |
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5:00 PM - 5:30 PM |
Networking Opportunities |
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5:30 PM – 5:31 PM Capitol Entrance Across from Hotel
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Damon Anderson Memorial Scholarship Zero-K Fun Run Picture in front of Capitol |
Damon Anderson |
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5:31 PM - 5:40 PM
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Photo Scavenger Hunt This was so popular last fall, we needed to bring it back this year!
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5:40 PM - ?? |
Dinner on your own doesn’t have to mean dining alone—why not invite a new colleague to join you? Madison has plenty of great spots to grab a bite, whether you're in the mood for tacos, burgers, or something a little more adventurous. It’s the perfect chance to unwind, share a few laughs, and maybe even pick up a fresh perspective or two. Who knows? That casual meal might just spark a great idea—or at least a new inside joke! |
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TUESDAY OCTOBER 14TH |
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7:30 AM - 9:00 AM |
Registration |
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8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Hall of Wisconsin |
Breakfast LION Meeting - Eric Damkot |
LION |
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9:00 AM - 9:05 AM |
Opening Remarks |
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9:05 AM – 9:15 AM Hall of Wisconsin |
Welcome Message – Tentative Governor Evers |
Governor Evers |
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9:15 AM – 9:45 AM Hall of Wisconsin |
The Power of Partnerships & Collaboration Keynote Speaker - Benjamin Wehmeier From local governments to state agencies and private industry, collaboration is at the heart of WLIA’s success. |
Benjamin Wehmeier President & CEO Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation |
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9:45 AM - 10:00 AM |
Legislative Agenda – Capitol Visit Prep Briefing on the topics we will discuss while visiting the Capitol. |
Nick Gamroth & Nik Anderson |
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10:00 – 10:15 AM |
BREAK |
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10:15 – 10:45 AM Hall of Wisconsin |
Presentation – UniverCity Alliance This program partners University of Wisconsin students and faculty with Wisconsin counties and local governments to help them address real-world problems through coursework. |
Megan McBride |
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10:45 – 11:30 AM |
USNG Emergency Location Markers – Speeding Response Times and Saving Lives
Learn how Emergency Location Markers (ELMs) based on the U.S. National Grid are improving emergency response times on trails and in parks nationwide, and explore what it takes to plan and implement a successful ELM project in your own community. |
Stephen D Swazee Sr. |
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11:30 AM – 12:00 Hall of Wisconsin |
WI Realtors Association - CorI Lamont WI Land Title Association - Jonathan Sayas In the world of land records, no single entity holds all the answers — that’s why strong partnerships matter. This session highlights the growing collaboration between Register of Deeds offices, GIS professionals, Realtors, and the Land Title Association. |
Cori Lamont & Jonathan Sayas |
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12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Hall of Wisconsin |
LUNCH
Committee Updates & 50/50 Raffle |
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1:00 PM – 1:45 PM Hall of Wisconsin |
WI Land Surveyors Association Surveyors provide the critical measurements and boundary data that form the backbone of every land information system. This year, we’re putting a spotlight on the essential partnerships between Surveyors, GIS professionals, Register of Deeds, and Land Information Officers — and how working together leads to greater accuracy, efficiency, and trust. |
Laurence E Johns III Vernon County Surveyor |
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1:45 PM – 2:15 PM Hall of Wisconsin |
PLSS Jeopardy - David Decker, PLS
Enjoy a light-hearted game of Jeopardy with trivia pertaining to the Public Land Survey System. |
David Decker Marathon County Surveyor |
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2:15 PM |
BREAK FOR AFTERNOON VISITS
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2:30 PM – 4:00 PM State Capitol |
Legislative Capitol Visits
Visit our state legislators at the Capitol to share the importance of Wisconsin’s land information program. These visits help us highlight key legislative initiatives, such as stable WLIP funding, eliminating barriers, statewide mapping initiatives, NG-911 GIS funding, and strengthening the role of land information. Your voice helps ensure that lawmakers understand the value of our work and the impact it has statewide. |
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2:30 - 4:00 PM State Capitol |
Tour of the State Capitol At the very center of the rotunda lies the section corner common to Sections 13, 14, 23, and 24 in Township 7 North, Range 9 East of the 4th Principal Meridian, Northwest Territory. Take a moment to enjoy the beauty our Capitol has to offer. |
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2:45 PM – 4:00 PM Science Hall |
Tour of Arthur Robinson Map Library, (20-minute walk)
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4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Hall of Wisconsin
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NG911 SIG Updates you need to know! |
Zach Hassler |
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5:30 PM - 6:00 PM |
Catch up on your work or start networking. |
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6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 116 W Mifflin Street
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Social Night - The Ivory Room Piano Bar Ian’s Pizza, soda and water provided WLIA private party until 8 PM, doors open to the public at 8PM, you are welcome to stay or visit other great Madison establishments. |
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WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 15TH |
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8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Hall of Wisconsin |
Registration and Breakfast
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9:00 AM – 9:15 AM Hall of Wisconsin |
Welcome Message |
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9:15 AM – 9:45 AM Hall of Wisconsin |
Using GIS to Develop Affordable Housing Housing costs and available housing stock has been an extremely hot topic for years now. This is not just a struggle for potential home buyers, but also government agencies of all sizes. Many communities simply take the approach of hoping development will come to their communities. With rising costs across the board communities must be more competitive to attract development to their area. The Town of Grand Chute uses GIS to help identify areas for potential development for developers and advertise to them on these potential sites. The Town has even identified areas specifically for affordable housing and created site plans using simple GIS tools most organizations have access to. See how your community can do the same! |
Tyler DeBruin |
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9:45 – 10:15 AM Hall of Wisconsin |
Presentation
Outreach Exchange – Updates from the Capitol |
Nick Gamroth & Nik Anderson |
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10:15 – 10:45 AM |
BREAK / CHECKOUT
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10:45 – 11:15 AM Hall of Wisconsin |
The Use of GIS and Land Records in the Daily Life of an Assessor In this session, Michelle will provide an inside look at how the City of Janesville Assessor’s Office leverages Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in its daily operations. Attendees will gain insight into how GIS tools and data layers are integrated with assessment records to support property listing, streamline field inspection routing, and enhance quality control efforts. Michelle will also highlight emerging opportunities using Parcel Fabrics and Python scripts to further improve workflow efficiency and data accuracy. The session will conclude with an open Q&A, giving attendees a chance to ask their assessment-related questions and engage in discussion. |
Michelle Laube |
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11:15 – 11:45 AM Hall of Wisconsin |
Empowering GIS with AI: Transforming Spatial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we interact with geospatial data. This session explores how AI is being infused into the ArcGIS platform to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and unlock deeper insights from spatial data. Attendees will discover how ArcGIS leverages GeoAI—applying machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing—to automate complex analyses, extract information from imagery and text, and support predictive modeling. We’ll also showcase the latest advancements in AI Assistants within ArcGIS, which enable users to perform GIS tasks using natural language, accelerating decision-making and democratizing access to spatial tools. |
Addison Scufsa & Jarod Fox |
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11:45 – 12:00 PM |
Closing Remarks Silent Auction winners announced |
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