Inside ESRI 2025: How GIS Solutions Help Public Agencies

The 2025 ESRI User Conference was an exciting opportunity for attendees and vendors alike. Our team connected with nearly 500 public sector leaders and technology vendors across the nation. Together, we made each other better, sharing valuable information about the future of GIS data in the public sector.

As natural partners, ESRI and CentralSquare share a common goal: helping public agencies turn data into action. When agencies combine CentralSquare’s software with ESRI’s geospatial capabilities, they are empowered to make smarter, faster decisions.

Some of our software – CAD, EAM, Community Development, etc. – relies heavily on accurate, real-time location data. By integrating ESRI’s GIS technology, we help agencies see what’s happening, where it’s happening, and what resources are available to respond. That level of visibility is essential for effective emergency response and infrastructure planning.

Together, CentralSquare and ESRI help agencies serve their communities with precision. Keep reading to see what you missed at this year’s conference.

Booth Highlights

The energy at the conference was unmistakable. From the moment the doors opened, our booth drew a steady stream of public sector professionals eager to explore CentralSquare solutions.

Some visitors arrived with pages of notes and configuration questions. Others simply wanted to see how our technology fits into their everyday workflows. Many stayed for live demos and brought colleagues back with them.

Interest was especially high in three of our products: CAD, Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), and Property Tax. Agencies are clearly hungry for tools that integrate GIS data into their operations in a more actionable way. Several vendors even stopped by to explore integration opportunities.

Our team was just as engaged. CentralSquare staff walked away with new insights, fresh ideas and stronger connections – both with customers and each other. Events like ESRI help us learn what matters most to the people we serve.

“Attending this conference allowed me to gain high-impact insights, connect with other GIS professionals to help tackle some challenges that we face on the GIS team with automation, and learn details about the future of Next Generation 911 GIS data that will eventually be used by most or all of our customer agencies to better support their communities.”

Jayne Henrick, GIS Specialist II

Agency Challenges & Solutions

Many of our conversations revolved around the challenges facing public agencies today, such as limited budgets, shrinking staff, aging infrastructure and rising citizen expectations. As a result, agencies are looking for solutions that help them do more with less.

During the conference, two CentralSquare solutions became consistent topics of conversation: CAD and EAM. While each serves a different function, they both require GIS data that’s integrated into daily workflows.

For CAD users, that improves situational awareness and faster response times. For EAM users, it helps map infrastructure assets and streamline maintenance. These solutions also reduce manual work, support data-driven decision-making, and help agencies adapt as communities change.

Beyond the Software

Beyond the demos and discussions, the ESRI user conference gave everyone a chance to connect on a more personal level – something we value deeply at CentralSquare.
Our booth served up more than software solutions. It also offered tres leches shooters during happy hour, which quickly became a crowd favorite. They sparked conversations and gave attendees one more reason to stop by and stay awhile.

After hours, the energy didn’t let up. The wrap-up party at Petco Park (Padres Stadium) was a highlight, offering a chance to relax, recharge, and swap stories from the week. Just down the street from the stadium, Tacos El Gordo fueled even more late-night connections.

Events like this remind us that the public sector is driven by passionate people. When agency leaders and GIS professionals come together with curiosity and purpose, everyone leaves a little more inspired.

The Power of In-Person Connection

During the conference, our team talked with hundreds of public sector leaders and vendors, and we gained plenty of insight ourselves. We learned from demos, tackled GIS automation challenges with peers, and gained a deeper understanding of what’s ahead for Next Generation 911 data.

It was also a chance to connect in person. Some of our team met face-to-face for the first time, strengthening our sense of collaboration and shared purpose.

Did you miss the 2025 ESRI user conference? Don’t worry about it. If you’re ready to see how our GIS-powered solutions can support your agency, schedule a discovery call today. From CAD to EAM to Community Development, we’re here to help you turn data into action.