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ASU GIS Day

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Join the global celebration of GIS Day and discover how geographic information systems (GIS) help us better understand our communities and the world.

Arizona State University's GIS Day brings together students, educators, researchers, professionals and community partners to explore the impact of mapping, geographic data and spatial technology.

Hosted by ASU's School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Geospatial Research and Solutions and Maricopa County, the event offers an opportunity to explore the power of GIS in action. We invite you to connect, learn and celebrate the power of place through presentations, vendors and drone demonstrations!

GIS Day 2026 Event & Schedule

Celebrate GIS Day 2026 at ASU!
Vendors | Presentations | Drones

🗓️ Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026
⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Tempe campus, Sun Devil Fitness Center, Gold Gym 400 E Apache Blvd, Tempe AZ 85281

Join the global celebration and discover how GIS shapes communities and the world. 

Register here 

Vendors
Meet GIS professionals and organizations showcasing mapping technology, GIS software, public sector application and career opportunities.

  • ASU FDM and B&F Administrative GIS
  • ASU Map and Geospatial Hub
  • ASU School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning
  • City of Glendale, AZ
  • City of Mesa - Water Resources
  • City of Scottsdale
  • City of Surprise
  • City of Tempe
  • Desert Botanical Garden
  • Entellus, Inc.
  • GIS Chat Podcast
  • Intuitive Machines
  • Maricopa County GIS
  • Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
  • Salt River Project (SRP)
  • Sanborn Map Company
  • Ten Across

Presentations
Join ASU students showcasing research in spatial analysis, environmental studies, urban development and data visualization.

Details TBA 

Drone Demonstrations
Learn how drone technology supports GIS through aerial mapping, data collection, 3D modeling and remote sensing. 

Details TBA 

Map Competition

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2026 ASU GIS Day Student Map Competition

America’s 250th: Mapping America’s Historic Changing Landscape

We challenge you to pick a location, find something that has changed and tell a story.

About

Over the past 250 years, America has evolved—from the way people live to how communities and landscapes have transformed. This competition invites you to explore a topic that interests you, create a map and share a story with others.

Your map can explore population and community changes, urban development, infrastructure, historical change, environmental change and more.

Timeline

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Map and Compass Overlapping

Competition Opens
Sept. 18, 2026

Submission Deadline
Nov. 11, 2026 

Winners Announced
Nov. 17, 2026

GIS Day
Nov. 18, 2026

We challenge you to pick a location, find something that has changed and tell a story.

  • Pick a Topic: Choose something you are genuinely curious about. A strong question can lead to a stronger map. Get Your Data: Use existing datasets, combine multiple sources or build your own. Be sure to use reliable data sources and Include citations. 
  • Build Your Map: Use the GIS software or Map platform you are most comfortable with. ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, QGIS and Google Earth are all options.
  • Follow the Theme - America’s 250th: Map America’s historic changing landscape at the center of your idea. Look for creative ways to show how places, people, communities or landscapes have changed over time. Let history inspire your design, typography, colors, symbols and visual style.
  • Tell the Story: Your map should make the change clear at a glance. Focus on good design, a clear message and readability for a general audience.

Not sure where to start?

Here are a few directions to explore. Mix and match ideas, follow your curiosity, or take your map in a completely unexpected direction. Sometimes the wildest idea makes the most interesting map.

Communities in Motion

  • Population growth
  • Community development
  • Demographic shifts

Try this: Map where your area’s population grew the most over the last decade, then dig into who is driving that growth. Retirees? Young families? College graduates chasing new jobs? The age group behind the growth is only half the story.

Built to Grow

  • Urban expansion
  • Transportation development
  • Infrastructure growth

Try this: Track how far you would have had to drive for a Starbucks in 1996 compared with today. Or map a new light rail or freeway line and explore what development followed.

Land & Legacy

  • Historical change
  • Environmental change
  • Land use change

Try this: Map places that have disappeared from your community—malls, drive-ins, movie theaters, or other familiar landmarks—and explore what replaced them. You could even look at how the rise and fall of local businesses, such as Salad and Go, reflects larger changes in how and where people live, work, and eat.

100 Points Total (25 Points Each)

  • Clear Communication: Someone unfamiliar with your topic should be able to understand your map within a few seconds without needing a caption to explain what they are seeing.
  • Effective Cartography: Demonstrate thoughtful choices in layout, symbols and color. Your legend should make sense on its own rather than relying on software defaults. Maps must be in their finished state upon submission. 
  • Creativity & Theme: Your map should draw inspiration from America’s 250-year history. Design should draw inspiration from the people, places and stories that have shaped the U.S. over time. You can use any technique to create your map.
  • Storytelling with Historic Geographic Data: Use real data to support and strengthen the story your map is communicating. Your map must incorporate historic geographic data that connects to the story being visually communicated. Your map must include citations for the data.

Eligibility

Who Can Enter?
The competition is open to individuals who are new to the field of GIS. Any student interested in GIS, geography, history, planning or environmental science is encouraged to participate. You do not need to be a GIS major or have prior GIS experience to enter.

GIS instructors and professionals currently working in GIS are not eligible to compete. Students are encouraged to seek guidance and mentorship from instructors and GIS professionals. Mentorship is welcome and will not affect judging.

  • Individual submissions only (no group submissions)
  • Limit one submission per person
  • Map entry must be in its finished state upon submission 

Prizes

Competition winners and prize information will be announced on Nov. 17, 2026

Winner Categories: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place

Prizes: Top place winners in each category will win a prize, a certificate of achievement and cartographic bragging rights.

Submission Form: ASU GIS Day 2026 Student Map Competition

America’s 250th: Map America’s Historic Changing Landscape

This form closes on Nov. 11, 2026 at 11:59PM MST.
Winners will be announced on Nov. 17, 2026.

Once your map is complete, submit your entry using the form below. Before you submit, please confirm that:

  • Your map is set to public view mode if you are submitting a link, or your uploaded file is accessible and high quality for viewing.
  • You have a title for your map and a 3–5 sentence write-up of your map. (200 words maximum)
  • You meet the eligibility requirements and judging criteria.
Affiliation
Create a 3–5 sentence write-up of your map. (200 words maximum)

Data Usage: The dataset is provided for research and competition purposes within this challenge.

Redistribution of the dataset or derivatives outside the challenge requires permission from the original data owners and curators.

Participants may use external data, but external data usage must be documented in the method description or technical report.

Do not share labels, private data, submissions, or predictions across teams.

Terms of Service: I acknowledge that my map may be featured on ASU's and external partner’s website and social media channels, in addition to possible external media. 
I acknowledge that the submission grants Arizona State University and the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning the right to utilize my submission for the purpose of the advancement of the school, its programs, and mission. These uses include, but are not limited to website, social media, illustrations, bulletins, exhibitions, videotapes, reprints, reproductions, publications, advertisements, and any promotional or educational materials in any medium now known or later developed. I acknowledge that I will not receive any compensation for the use of my submission. 

I acknowledge that submission credit may not be provided in all cases. I acknowledge that the content I am submitting is my legal property and I have the legal rights and permissions to share.

By checking this box, you agree and understand this consent and release statement. You give consent to Arizona State University and the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning to use your submission to promote the school, its programs, and advance its mission.

Photo & Video/Recording Release:
I grant permission to the Arizona Board of Regents, a body
corporate, for and on behalf of Arizona State University, and
its agents and employees (ASU), the absolute right to use,
not use, reuse, publish, republish and make derivative works
of, all or any part of photographs and/or motion pictures
and/or voice recordings and/or written/spoken statements
taken of me on the date(s) and at the location(s) listed below
(the Photos/Filming), in any media now or hereafter known,
including the internet, for the purpose set forth below, and for
any related ASU purposes, including illustration, promotion,
art, editorial, and advertising, without restriction. I waive any right to inspect or approve the Photos/Filming, or
any uses thereof, now or in the future, and I waive any right to
royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the
use of the Photos/Filming.

I release and discharge ASU of and from any claims,
demands, and damages that may arise from or related to the
use of the Photos/Filming, including any claims for libel or
violation of any right of publicity or privacy, and including any
re-use, distortion, blurring, alteration, or use in composite
form. It is in the discretion of ASU to decide whether and how
to use the Photos/Recordings. This Release will be binding upon me and my heirs, legal representatives, and assigns.Unless my parent or guardian signs where indicated on the signature lines below, I certify that I am 18 years of age or older, and I am competent to contract in my own name. I have read this Release and I fully understand the contents, meaning, and impact of this Release.

For subjects of the Photos/Filming who are under 18, this
Release must be signed by both the minor subject and his/her
parent or guardian. By signing, the parent or guardian attests
that he/she is competent to contract in her/his own name, has
read this Release, and fully understand the contents, meaning,
and impact of this Release.
 

GIS Day Recap

2025

On Nov. 19, 2025, ASU hosted a GIS Day event, bringing the GIS community together on the Tempe campus with vendors, presentations and drone demonstrations.

Partners

Questions? Contact Shiloh Johnson, ASU GRS Sr. Project Manager, at [email protected].

Map competition images from ASU Library’s Map and Geospatial Hub.