GIS Day
Summary
GIS Day is an annual event held on the third Wednesday of November, celebrated globally to promote public awareness of Geographic Information Systems technology. The City of Fairfax has developed a recurring presence at George Mason University's GIS Day event, organized with the involvement of Planning Commissioner and GMU Professor Matt Rice. In 2024, Mayor Catherine S. Reed issued a proclamation declaring November 20, 2024 GIS Awareness Day in the City of Fairfax, and city staff — including members of the planning, multimodal transportation, and stormwater divisions — presented at GMU's event. In 2025, the event was held again on November 20, 2025 (1–4 pm) in Exploratory Hall at George Mason University, with city planning, GIS, and stormwater staff presenting; the event was open to the public. Chair Feather and staff member Rusty Russell attended, along with seven total city staff and leaders, and the session was reported as well received. Following the 2025 event, George Mason students were noted as potentially contributing content to the city's Fact Book, though judging of a student GIS project was still ongoing as of March 2026.
Open questions & options on the table
- Outcome of the George Mason student GIS project judging, which was still pending as of the March 9, 2026 meeting, with further discussion deferred to the next meeting.
- Whether George Mason student-generated data layers and Fact Book content will be formally delivered to city staff (Amy Lynn Denny, Maurice Ryu, Patrick Remsen).
What members have said
Rice has been the primary organizer and champion of the city's GIS Day participation, coordinating city staff presentations at George Mason University for both the 2024 and 2025 events. After the 2025 event, he thanked city staff and a city intern for their contributions and noted that George Mason students may contribute content to the city's Fact Book. At the December 2025 meeting he reported the session was well received but that there was 'frustration afterwards,' suggesting strong interest from attendees.
Feather attended both the 2024 and 2025 GIS Day events at George Mason University, helping Rice host city staff presenters. At the November 24, 2025 meeting, he congratulated Rice on the success of the 2025 GIS Day event and noted his own role in helping put together the 2024 mayoral proclamation recognizing GIS Day in the City of Fairfax.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.
Full history
[10] 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.
[11] 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.