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WAGISA 

Washington GIS Association

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WAGISA Awards

The Summit Award     |     Government Helping Government Award     |     Dick Thomas Student Award  


The Summit Award 

About

The Washington GIS Person of the Year, also known as the Summit Award, represents the highest recognition in the state for geographic information systems professionals. The award honors an individual whose leadership, innovation, and service have made a lasting impact on the GIS community in Washington. The 2026 Summit Award winner is announced during the opening plenary of the Washington GIS Conference. 

Criteria

  • The nominee has changed the GIS profession in some significant way.
  • The nominee shall have been practicing the profession for at least 10 years within Washington State.
  • The nominee shall have made a significant contribution to the GIS profession and community in Washington State.
  • The person should be known for their excellent work and successful projects in the GIS field.
  • The nominee should have volunteered significant time for the GIS profession and community in Washington State.
  • The nominee should not be a current WAGISA board member.


The Summit Award nomination form is available typically from March-May:

 Nominate Someone

See a list of past Summit Award winners.


                Government Helping Government Award

                About

                We all know that person who goes over and above normal job duties, assisting others with technical issues, extra time for phone calls and answering endless questions. Here is an opportunity as a GIS community to recognize those extraordinary individuals. This award is announced at the State of Washington GIS Day in November.

                Criteria

                  • The organization or individual is a State, county or local government who is assisting another WA government agency
                  • The time/work performed is not part of the agency or persons normal duties
                  • There is no compensation
                  • There is no requirement for the person or organization to perform the work.

                  The Government helping Government Award nomination form is available in October:

                   Nominate Someone

                  See a list of past Summit Award winners.



                    Richard 'Dick' Thomas Student Presentation Competition & Award

                    About

                    This award was established to honor Washington State GIS pioneer and mentor Richard ‘Dick’ Thomas, who passed away in 2006. The intent of this award is to honor Dick by continuing his work of encouraging students to excel in their studies and to transition successfully into careers in the field of GIS. WAGISA's objective is to inspire students to present their original work related to GIS, geography, or geographic research at the annual Washington GIS Conference.
                    Winners of the Dick Thomas award receive a generous monetary award along with a one year membership to WAGISA and free registration to the next year's WA GIS Conference. 

                    Criteria

                    • Current students enrolled at least 6 hours in a relevant curriculum at a Washington State secondary school, community college, technical school, or university program, or
                    • Current Washington residents enrolled at least 6 hours in a relevant on-line GIS program
                    • The original work by the student(s)
                    • Only one submission per lead student presenter
                    • Conducted as a school project or under the supervision of a student adviser or professor
                    • Students must be enrolled in a GIS, geography, technology, or related academic program
                    • Papers should relate to geography, GIS, or allied technologies as applied to a social, natural resource, business, government, or similar subject

                    The DTA Submission form is available in February:

                     Abstract Submission

                    Frequently Asked Questions





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