GIS Day
GIS Day is an annual global event held on the third Wednesday of November celebrating geographic information systems (GIS) technology.
George Mason University hosts a local celebration each year, and the City of Fairfax — through Planning Commissioner (and GMU professor) Matt Rice — has developed a recurring partnership in which city planning, GIS, and stormwater staff present at the event. In November 2024, Mayor Catherine S. Reed issued a proclamation designating November 20, 2024 as GIS Awareness Day in the City of Fairfax, with the theme "Mapping Minds, Shaping the World, 25 Years of GIS Excellence"; city staff including Mr.
Feather, Patrick Remsen, Maurice Ryu, Amy Lindeni, Chloe Ritter, and others attended and presented. The 2025 GIS Day was likewise held on November 20, 2025, at GMU's Exploratory Hall (second floor), from 1–4 pm, with city planning, GIS, and stormwater staff presenting primarily from 3–4 pm; it was reported as a well-received success at the November 24 and December 8 meetings. A follow-on opportunity emerged from the 2025 event: due to strong student interest, a competition was created for George Mason students to submit a map design for inclusion in the city's Fact Book, with materials due to Rice, another faculty member, and Community Development and Planning (CDP) staff in late December 2025.
Still open
- Status of George Mason students' Fact Book map design submissions (due late December 2025) — outcome not yet recorded in the material, with a follow-up question noted as of the March 9, 2026 meeting.
What members have said
Rice has been the primary driver of the city's participation in GIS Day at George Mason University, announcing the 2025 event (November 20, 1–4 pm, Exploratory Hall) at the October 27 and November 10, 2025 meetings and inviting the public to attend. After the 2025 event, Rice reported it was well-received, noted seven city staff and leaders participated including Chair Feather and Rusty Russell, and described follow-on student frustration that presentations were too short — leading to a student Fact Book map design opportunity with submissions due in late December 2025. Rice also thanked city staff and a city intern for their contributions at the November 24, 2025 meeting.
Feather has participated in GIS Day as a co-host alongside Rice in both 2024 and 2025. At the November 24, 2025 meeting, Feather congratulated Rice on the success of the GIS Day event and noted his own participation, as well as that of city staff. Feather also noted his role in helping coordinate the 2024 mayoral proclamation recognizing GIS Day in the City of Fairfax.
Lockhart noted at the November 24, 2025 meeting that she attended GIS Day and referenced city staff who were present, including Patrick and Amy Lynn.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
councilcommissionMinutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting, Nov 12, 2024 onward.
History
Filled dots are actions on this topic; open dots are mentions.
- Nov 10, 2025Planning Commission · item 10Commission Comments
Commissioner Rice announced GIS Day at George Mason University on November 20, 2025, from 1–4 pm, open to the public, with city staff presenting.
- Nov 24, 2025Planning Commission · item 11Commission Comments
Chair Feather congratulated Commissioner Rice on the success of the GIS Day event; Rice thanked city staff and a city intern for their contributions and noted potential Fact Book content from George Mason students.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.