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Advanced GIS Leadership Academy

Did attending the GIS Leadership Academy inspire you to learn more?

The Advanced GIS Leadership Academy is the next step for geospatial professionals - from all disciplines - who are looking to improve their leadership skills and guide their organizations to geospatial excellence.

This training program is for GLA* alumni seeking deeper leadership insights. The inaugural AGLA in Chicago was met with exceptional reviews. Attendees described renewed confidence, refined management strategies, and enhanced capabilities in areas such as data governance, ethics, and operational planning. Make a plan to continue your geospatial leadership journey in New Orleans at GPN's Advanced GIS Leadership Academy!

Over the course of the program, you’ll learn from a team of seasoned faculty members (spanning both private and public sectors) who each bring unique insights, real-world expertise, and proven strategies. This diversity of perspectives ensures a richer, more practical learning experience than any one-person workshop can deliver.

*The GIS Leadership Academy has been presented regularly since 2007. More than 2,000 individuals have attended. Some have attended two or three times as their circumstances (a new employer or promotion perhaps) have changed. Regularly receiving five-star reviews from attendees, the program has grown through word-of-mouth recommendations. Some organizations include the GLA as a key part of their staff development and retention plans.

2026 program dates and location coming soon!

Continue developing your leadership skills.
Delve deeper into the topics introduced in the GLA.
Many GLA graduates have been waiting for this opportunity and we expect to reach capacity quickly.
Attendance at the AGLA earns substantial GISP® Education Points.

Why Attend?

Advanced GIS Leadership Academy Agenda

View the AGLA information session HERE.

Monday

Afternoon: The AGLA will begin at 1:00 PM Central Time, allowing an opportunity for travel that morning (less time away from home).

Overview & Introductions
Wall of Pain
AGLA Charter

Tuesday

Program Management vs Project Management
Project Management Approaches
Work Plan
Work Tracking and Visualization
Evening Reception

Wednesday

Operational Kanban
ROI
Roadmapping
Change Management

Thursday

Managing Remote/Hybrid Teams
Data Governance
AI & Ethics
Cyber Security

Friday

Morning: The AGLA will end on or before 12:00 PM Central Time, allowing an opportunity for travel that afternoon (less time away from home).

Revisit – Wall of Opportunity
Challenges– Affinity Mapping/Lean Coffee
Wildly Important Goals (WIGs)
Graduation

Registration - for budgeting purposes

The Advanced GIS Leadership Academy includes interactive exercises, small-group discussions, team-building activities, and opportunities to delve into topics in a way you cannot do at a large conference. Participation is intentionally limited in order to encourage such interaction.

Register early to reserve your spot and take advantage of discounts. The registration fee includes all five days of education and materials; refreshment breaks; lunches (Tuesday-Thursday); and one evening reception. The AGLA will conclude no later than 12:00 PM on Friday to accommodate departures on Friday and keep travel expenses down.

Consider tailoring this template to assist with gaining employer approval to attend the AGLA.

Significant discounts are offered to GPN members, in addition to early bird registration discounts.

Please note the Event Code of Conduct guidelines.

Cancellation & Refund Policy: All cancellations must be received in writing (via email) at GPN Headquarters on or before September 15 in order to receive a refund, less a $100 processing fee. After September 15, cancelled registrations will not be refunded nor applied to future events.

Team Registration: Save money by registering your entire team at a substantial discount. If registering 2 or more individuals from the same organization, each additional registration after the first will be discounted $200 regardless of membership and date of registration. All team registrations must be submitted together along with payment to receive the discount.

GPN Member Registration Rates

Early (by September 1) $1,500

Regular $1,700

Nonmember Registration Rates

Early (by September 1) $1,700

Regular $1,900

Sponsorship Opportunities

Demonstrate your organization's commitment to professional development for GIS leaders by sponsoring the Advanced GIS Leadership Academy. Contact Wendy Nelson if your organization is interested in supporting this phenomenal program. Consider a refreshment break or networking reception sponsorship!

Venue & Travel - 2026 details coming soon

We're looking forward to sharing this new leadership program with you for years to come!

AGLA Graduates
(New Orleans - November 2025)

AGLA Graduates
(Chicago - August 2024)

Meet the Facilitators & Organizing Committee

Our facilitators, all GISPs, are experienced GIS professionals who have successfully navigated the challenges of increased leadership and management responsibilities in a technical field. They are veteran GLA faculty members who have continued to advance in their careers and are passionate about supporting the community. Learn more about this program, how it differs from the GLA you already attended, and what to expect. Hear directly from the AGLA facilitators - a GIS "Dream Team" - who have collaborated to develop the much-anticipated program during this open session. Meet the AGLA Facilitators.

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