Each year, the Esri User Conference (UC) offers unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and discovery. As the 2024 edition approaches, health and human services-focused activities within the GIS community have never been more exciting. With a range of sessions designed to cater to the interests of healthcare professionals, this year’s conference promises to be an enriching experience. Whether you want to improve your technical skills, understand the latest health trends, or simply connect with like-minded professionals, 2024 Esri UC has something for everyone.
Here are 7 compelling reasons to spend July 15-19 with us in San Diego, California.
1. Immerse yourself in the latest GIS trends for health with a special demo theater presentation: Learn what I see as the key trends in healthcare and GIS in this demo theater presentation. From managing opioid abuse to maternal and child health care, this session promises to be an eye-opener. Seeing the trends can inspire you to take advantage of these new use cases.
2. Engage with peers at the Health and Human Services (HHS) Special Interest Group (SIG) meeting: The Health and Human Services SIG meeting is a unique platform for our community to share experiences, challenges and solutions. Scheduled for the latter part of the conference (details here), this meeting highlights the importance of collaboration and connectivity within the health GIS community. Unmissable for anyone who understands the importance of belonging and a diversity of perspectives in the pursuit of personal fulfillment and professional excellence. And as a bonus – there will be coffee and breakfast foods.
3. Learn from peers in HHS paper sessions: HHS paper sessions offer deep dives into specific case studies, research findings, and health sector success stories. These sessions are a goldmine for those looking to learn from the experiences and insights of their peers. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your next project or want to contribute to the conversation, these sessions are the perfect place.
4. Improve your skills to improve your technical prowess: The 2024 Esri UC Technical Sessions are a key opportunity designed to enhance your skills and understanding of the latest GIS tools and techniques. There’s nothing better than Esri professionals sharing their deep knowledge of products and processes. These workshops are critical for anyone who wants to stay on the cutting edge of GIS technology.
5. Visit the HHS Showcase: Beyond sessions and presentations, Esri UC is a vibrant networking platform. You should come and meet Esri’s subject matter experts in the Health and Human Services area of the show. It’s the perfect place to see what’s new in #HealthGIS and get personalized advice for your work. You’ll also find that Esri UC is a great place to engage with like-minded professionals from around the world, share insights, and make connections that could shape the future of your projects or career. The informal setting and social events during the conference provide a relaxed backdrop for meaningful conversations and new friendships.
6. Meet Esri’s business partners: Esri’s global network of business partners is key to the strength of the ArcGIS ecosystem. Our partners help us unlock the full potential of GIS through their innovations, products and service offerings. They can help you do more with GIS. Take the opportunity to meet Esri business partners in the expo area. See how they are pushing the boundaries of GIS and adding value across a number of different sectors, including healthcare and human services.
7. One on One Advice: Don’t miss the chance for personalized guidance from Esri professionals. While I really enjoy listening to all the speakers and learning from business partners, it has a potential downside – too many ideas (wink, wink)! If you’re in the same situation, you might want to get some direct advice and insights on how to apply some of these ideas to your specific job. You can meet with your account team, Esri product managers, members of our Professional Services department, and a host of other ArcGIS professionals to turn your ideas into strategy.
Can I add just one more reason to attend Esri UC 2024? We are holding this event in San Diego. You’ll enjoy beautiful weather, amazing food and maybe even a weekend stay to explore the beaches, Sea World or Legoland. This is a great place to visit.
Attending the 2024 Esri User Conference is an investment in your professional development, your network, and the future of GIS for health and human services. With a program rich in content and opportunities tailored to the healthcare community, you’ll want to make sure you stick around until Friday, July 19, 2024 to experience the full breadth of what the conference has to offer. Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the field, the insights, connections and experiences from the conference promise to be invaluable.
To help you navigate the conference, check out this flyer with our recommendations for people in the health and human services industry. Register now.
About the author
This is Geraghty
Dr. Este Geraghty, MD, MS, MPH, CPH, GISP, is Chief Medical Officer at Esri, where he leads strategy and communications for the health and human services sector. Dr. Geraghty has been with Esri since 2014 and leads business development and go-to-market solution development. During her time at Esri, Dr. Geraghty has helped organizations around the world use smart location data to fight the Zika virus, end the fight against polio, address the opioid crisis, fight with homelessness, improve health preparedness and response, inform strategic planning, optimize health care access and overcome the COVID-19 pandemic while addressing inequity. Formerly deputy director of the California Department of Public Health’s Center for Health Statistics and Informatics, Dr. Geraghty directs the state’s vital records and public health informatics programs. There, she participated in national initiatives on Meaningful Use, Health Information Exchange, Open Data, and Interoperability. While serving as an Associate Professor of Clinical Internal Medicine at UC Davis, she conducted research on geographic approaches to influencing health policy and advancing community development programs. In addition to his degrees in Medicine, Medical Informatics, and Public Health, Dr. Geraghty is also a Certified Public Health Professional (CPH) and Geographic Information Systems Specialist (GISP).
