MISA was founded on the concepts of sharing best practices, collaboration among peers and volunteerism. These attributes remain fundamental to who we are and how we operate. The MISA Prairies Annual Conference and Trade Show is the “can’t miss” municipal IT networking event in the prairie provinces. Registration opens December 15, 2024. To attend any events hosted by MISA Prairies, a MISA memberships must be current and in good standing (2025 membership renewals will be sent the end of December to current 2024 members). New members can register as an organization under MISA Prairies here:
Member Rate
Population | Price |
---|---|
< 10,000 | $75 |
10,001 - 25,000 | $150 |
25,001 - 100,000 | $200 |
> 100,001 | $500 |
*Dietary restrictions will be noted on the buffet line. Any food related questions please ask staff in the white chef jackets.
**Those with food allergies may have a separate plated meal, please ask staff in the white chef jackets.
This course introduces light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data concepts, collection methods, quality control considerations and common applications. You’ll learn how to manage, edit, visualize and share LiDAR-derived 2D and 3D information products using ArcGIS Pro.
Goals
When we study GREAT leaders, we discover powerful patterns in their everyday behavior. These patterns include how they lead their teams, inspire their people, give feedback, manage conflict, take initiative on their most important objectives, carefully manage their time and energy, take responsibility for their choices and manage change under pressure. All of these skills depend on their attitude and Emotional Intelligence (EQ). So it’s not surprising that research confirms that 90% of top performers across all industries are high in EQ. Although IQ is genetic, EQ is simply a set of skills that can be learned by anyone wanting to be successful in their life and career!
Audiences will learn:
1. The 3 different attitudes / “The 3 Chairs”
2. How these 3 attitudes impact (positively or negatively) leadership,
performance, communication, conflict resolution, problem solving,
emotion management, risk-taking, engagement & retention
3. 3 practical strategies to start building a healthy attitude / EQ in
yourself & those around you, driving communication,
performance & engagement.
What to Expect:
Streamline Your Updates: Learn how to effortlessly manage and deploy updates across your entire device fleet, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
Deploy with Ease: Discover the power of deploying images to devices with just a few clicks, making setup and configuration a breeze.
Stay Compliant and Secure: Understand how to maintain compliance and security across your environment, protecting your data and devices from potential threats.
*Dietary restrictions will be noted on the buffet line. Any food related questions please ask staff in the white chef jackets.
**Those with food allergies may have a separate plated meal, please ask staff in the white chef jackets.
We're excited to extend our gratitude and appreciation to all of our vendor partners. Your paternships have been instrumental in the success of our annual conference and trade show. This recpetion serves as a token of our gratitude for your continued support.
This is an invitation only event.
Join us in the Exhibitor Hall to connect in a relaxed and informal setting. Expect engaging conversations, networking opportunities, and refreshments.
Don't miss this opportunity to make meaningful connections and maximize your time at the conference!
Room/Location: Mount Temple Ballroom
A Spirited Kickoff to Unleash Networking Vibes!
Get ready to toast to an unforgettable start of our 2025 Annual MISA Prairies Conference! This lively event is designed to break the ice, foster connections, and set the tone for an engaging conference experience.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to break away from the conventional and embrace a more dynamic approach to networking. The Travelling Reception promises an evening filled with laughter, discovery, and a taste of the local culture. Cheers to new connections and a conference experience like no other!
Room/Location: Lago
We invite you to continue networking at the Evening Social hosted by Panasonic Connect, located in the Lago Room. Appetizers and refreshments will be available for your enjoyment.
A special thank you to Panasonic Connect for their contribution to the success of the 2024 MISA Prairies Annual Conference and Trade Show.
Today's breakfast is sponsored by Arctic Wolf ! Join us in expressing our gratitude to Arctic Wolf as we enjoy a delicious breakfast together. It's a fantastic opportunity to network, exchange insights, and fuel up for a day filled with learning and engagement.
*Dietary restrictions will be noted on the buffet line. Any food related questions please ask staff in the white chef jackets.
**Those with food allergies may have a separate plated meal, please ask staff in the white chef jackets.
It's our honor to extend a warm welcome to all attendees, partners, and distinguished guests.
The trade show is officially open, and we invite you to explore the latest products, solutions, and innovations from our exhibitors.
Thank you TCOR Solutions for your generous sponsorship, which has ensured that attendees can enjoy a much-needed coffee break.
Like any organization or municipality, the City of St. Albert is striving to enhance and implement Data Governance across various applications. In this presentation, we will discuss the City of St. Albert's approach to implementing data governance within the M365 environment, specifically focusing on SharePoint sites.
Many times our organizations have "projects" that need to be delivered but they are sized at the point where a project manager is not needed, or the organization simply does not have access to project managers. In this presentation we take an old school journey to revisit some simple tools and techniques we knew a long time ago and how we can use them to set up a realistic schedule, figure out what can throw a wrench into our plans, and how to draw a box around what we want to do so we can contain our budget.
This presentation delves into how location intelligence and GIS solutions can drive smarter operations and public engagement in a smart city context. By integrating technologies to manage winter road maintenance, election logistics, and construction projects, it showcases how spatial data enhances decision-making, operational efficiency, and public transparency. Attendees will learn how to leverage location intelligence to foster more responsive services and engage effectively with communities, aligning operational activity with the goals of a connected and sustainable smart city.
As a leader in videoconferencing Logitech's latest AI-powered lineup of conference room gear is seriously upping the game for hybrid work. The idea is to make meetings more engaging and inclusive, helping teams stay connected no matter where they are. With smart AI features like RightSight, RightSound, and RightLight — plus the Logitech Sync tool for managing devices — Logitech has really leaned into AI to make video calls smoother and more effective.
This presentation is all about showing municipalities how easy it is to switch on these new features, understand how they work, and see how platforms like Microsoft (and others) can seriously level up both meeting rooms and personal workspaces. It’s not just about better meetings — it’s about creating a more connected, seamless work experience for everyone.
The City of Lethbridge's Strategic Plan is built around Six Foundational Pillars. These pillars are the core principles that support everything we do, ensuring alignment, stability, how we achieve our mission and deliver value. They serve as the guiding framework for our decisions, priorities, and daily work. By adhering to these pillars, we establish a consistent approach to how we work, innovate, and grow as a team. These pillars are the foundation of our main objectives. - They will drive key results, with specific assignments empowering IT staff—the true engine of this journey.
The City of Moose Jaw has been struggling with paper-based Fleet Management processes. This has caused issues around budgeting and scheduling of work and maintenance on fleet assets for years. To provide a 'quick fix' to this issue and to start to clean up and prepare data for a full Fleet Management Solution sometime in the near future, the City has implemented a Fleet Management System using Microsoft's PowerApp platform. This discussion will talk about some of the lessons learned and give some quick overviews of the capabilities of the PowerApp and Dataverse products.
Supporting 62 City service lines with GIS expertise and foresight is a daunting task. Even with 25 years under the belt of successfully delivering a geospatial enterprise program, being ready for the future is challenging. Hear about The City of Calgary’s recent evaluation of their Enterprise Geospatial Program and how the findings are helping them prepare for the future with continued success in an ever-changing environment.
Imagine a city where traffic flows smoothly without human intervention, where public safety is enhanced through predictive analytics, and community services are tailored to the needs of each citizen—all powered by Generative AI. While it’s a picture-perfect vision that may feel far reaching today, municipal IT leaders are already taking baby steps to better harness this transformative technology in their daily operations.
In this presentation, IX Solutions’ Shawn Jackson and Chris King explore the impacts of AI in municipal operations. We’ll discuss:
· Trends and core concepts related to Generative AI
· How Generative AI is impacting municipalities today
· The need for IT and policy makers to collaborate on AI guidelines
· Data security considerations for early AI adopters
· Practical applications of AI including Microsoft’s Co-Pilot
Join us as we surface the critical conversations you should be having within your municipality today, so you can better prepare for the role of AI tomorrow.
A cybersecurity incident response plan is critical for identifying, managing, and mitigating threats to an organization's digital assets. This presentation will outline the key phases of incident response, including preparation, detection, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident analysis. I will highlight the importance of a well-defined incident response plan, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement to minimize impact and prevent recurrence. By addressing best practices and real-world scenarios, participants will be provided with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively respond to cybersecurity incidents and protect organizational resilience.
Don't miss out on the City of Calgary's dynamic presentation on Windows Endpoint Hardening for Cyber Security, tailored for IT Operations implementation and sustainment. Uncover how Data and AI can empower you to make informed decisions on hardening your systems, ensuring swift and efficient implementation. In today's ever-evolving threat landscape, being proactive is more critical than ever. Discover how data-driven decisions are made and how cutting-edge technology can help your business operate seamlessly while keeping the lights on.
In this presentation, we will explore how the City of Medicine Hat leverages FME Flow and FME Form to optimize GIS workflows, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in various processes. By integrating these powerful tools, we streamline operations such as:
- Updating Altalis Layer Automation: Automating updates to ensure the
latest data is always available.
- Data Transformation to DWG Format for Data Clip Process: Converting
data seamlessly for use in different applications.
- Creating Buffer on Demand for Utilities: Enhancing safety and planning
through the Utility Safety Partners process.
These examples highlight the transformative impact of FME Flow and FME Form on our GIS workflows, driving innovation and operational excellence in the City of Medicine Hat.
Discover the real story behind AI assistant adoption in Canadian municipalities as we debunk five myths and reveal five key truths. Backed by data, this interactive talk bursts through the hype to shed light on AI's true usage and impact on local government.
*Dietary restrictions will be noted on the buffet line. Any food related questions please ask staff in the white chef jackets.
**Those with food allergies may have a separate plated meal, please ask staff in the white chef jackets.
A special thank you to Compugen and Nutanix for sponsoring today’s lunch! We truly appreciate your support.
Make sure to stop by Trade Show Booth #35 to say hello.
The City of Calgary currently engages contractors and external resources throughout the year to support the organization and services. Previously, when contractors were ready to start work, leaders had to notify various teams in Information Technology (IT) and Human Resources (HR) independently to arrange access to City systems. The process involved calls, a form and multiple HelpDesk tickets just to get basic network account and access set up. Information was stored in 2 different systems that were maintained separately making the process manually intensive and prone to errors. In the fall of 2024, The City revamped the business process, centralized the data into the PeopleSoft HCM ERP, and implemented manager and contractor self-service functionality, making it easier to manage the network account activation and deactivation process.
Having a records retention schedule was needed to help plan Lac La Biche County's slow migration journey from network drives to SharePoint. Go from operating with no records retention schedule for 15 years with keeping everything forever to having a retention schedule within one year. This is a walk through of what was done, the decision making process and mistakes that was made, with lots of lessons were learnt from 3 failed past projects.
This presentation will cover the implementation of the ESRI Solution for Winter Weather Outreach for the City of Moose Jaw. This solution was used to quickly implement a system to track progress of snow clearing operations as well as a Hub Site for the public to see all related policies and current info about snow clearing for the City.
As generative AI reshapes the digital landscape, it also transforms the tactics of cyber adversaries. From creating malicious code at scale to generating hyper-realistic phishing campaigns, the AI-powered threat landscape grows more complex and insidious. At the same time, organizations are leveraging generative AI, cloud computing, and modernized infrastructures to enhance their capabilities and accelerate missions.
However, this dual-edged sword raises critical questions:
How can organizations harness generative AI to strengthen cyber defenses without introducing new vulnerabilities?
What does the emergence of AI-powered cyberattacks mean for organizations managing sprawling, interconnected networks?
In a world of limited resources, how can organizations design agile and robust defenses to withstand evolving threats?
This session dives into the rapidly evolving nexus of generative AI and cybersecurity, offering actionable insights to help organizations stay resilient in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber adversaries.
Welcome to our Technical Panel: an exclusive opportunity to engage with municipal technical experts in an intimate and interactive setting. Join us for an illuminating discussion as our panelists, each a leader in their respective fields, delve into the latest advancements and emerging trends in technology. This session offers attendees the chance to pose their questions directly to our panelists, gaining valuable insights and practical solutions to technical challenges. From innovative software solutions to cutting-edge hardware developments, no topic is off the table. Don't miss your chance to participate in this dynamic exchange of ideas and expertise.
Step into the world of Geospatial Intelligence at our GIS Panel Discussion, where we explore the boundless possibilities of spatial data. Join us for a captivating conversation as our panel of GIS experts unpacks the intricacies of leveraging geographic information systems for informed decision-making and innovative solutions. This engaging session invites attendees to actively participate by posing their questions directly to our panelists, ensuring a dynamic exchange of insights and expertise. From spatial analysis to mapping technologies, our panelists are poised to address a wide range of topics and challenges facing the GIS community.
Discover the keys to effective leadership in our interactive Leadership chat, where audience participation takes center stage. Join us as we assemble a panel of accomplished leaders from diverse sectors to share their expertise and insights on navigating the complexities of modern leadership. In this engaging session, attendees will have the unique opportunity to directly engage with our panelists, posing questions and gaining firsthand perspectives on a wide range of leadership topics. Whether you're seeking guidance on strategic decision-making, team empowerment, or fostering innovation, our panelists are ready to provide practical advice and actionable strategies.
Join us in the Exhibitor Hall to connect in a relaxed and informal setting. Expect engaging conversations, networking opportunities, and refreshments.
Don't miss this opportunity to make meaningful connections and maximize your time at the conference!
Municipal attendees, we are excited to announce that we will be offering professional headshots during this free time block, in the Victoria Ballroom. This is a fantastic opportunity to update your professional image with a high-quality headshot.
*Information on how to book will be shared soon!
Whether you're looking to enhance your LinkedIn profile, company website, or personal branding, a professional headshot can make a significant impact. Don't miss out on this chance to capture your best self!
Thank you to our sponsor Dell Technologies for this opportunity!
Don't forget to take this time to immerse yourself in the beauty of Chateau Lake Louise. Chateau Lake Louise is surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains and overlooking the serene turquoise waters of Lake Louise.
Sip, mingle, and unwind! Join us for an evening of networking as we raise a toast to new connections and exciting opportunities. Plus, snap some memories in our photo booth, sponsored by Enghouse and ifonica!
The 2025 MISA Prairies Annual Conference wouldn’t be complete without an unforgettable evening! We are delighted to invite you to the Gala Dinner, a night of elegance, celebration, and networking.
We’re excited to celebrate with you and thank Telus and Fortinet for making this incredible evening possible.
Join Us for an Evening of Intrigue and Excitement!
Step into a world of secrets and surprises at our upcoming event. Prepare for a night filled with unexpected twists, interactive fun, and a touch of mystery. Dress to impress in your finest attire, and get ready to immerse yourself in an unforgettable experience.
Stay sharp and keep your wits about you – you never know what might happen next. This is an event you won't want to miss!
We invite you to keep networking at the Evening Social hosted by Esri Canada. Appetizers and refreshments will be served for your enjoyment.
Thank you, Esri Canada, for your contribution to the success of the 2025 MISA Prairies Annual Conference and Trade Show.
Make sure to stop by Trade Show Booth #18 to say hello and learn more about unlocking your organizations full potential of geospatial data with their innovative GIS solutions.
Join us as we gather for a morning of networking and great food, all while setting the stage for an exciting day of conference sessions and discussions. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow attendees before the day’s events begin.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Ricoh for their support in making this breakfast possible. Don’t miss this opportunity to start your conference day off right! Make sure to stop by Trade Show Booth #36 to say hello.
*Dietary restrictions will be noted on the buffet line. Any food related questions please ask staff in the white chef jackets.
**Those with food allergies may have a separate plated meal, please ask staff in the white chef jackets.
In today’s digital landscape, securing corporate data on mobile devices is paramount. In the realm of municipal government, securing corporate data on mobile phones is crucial to maintaining public trust and operational integrity. This presentation will focus on the unique challenges and solutions for implementing Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Mobile Application Management (MAM) within municipal government organizations. The City of Saskatoon will examine how MDM can enforce security policies, manage device configurations, and ensure compliance with governmental regulations (for example TikTok). Also, MAM will be highlighted for its role in securing and managing corporately approved applications and their data on Personal Devices (BYOD).
The presentation will focus on the RPA initiatives designed to enhance the efficiency of city operations, providing advantages for both citizens and city staff. It will showcase some automations built for mobility, open spaces and various business units within the City of Calgary.
Join Christus' session to learn best practices for implementing a robust PAM strategy to prevent data breaches, reduce insider threats, and meet compliance mandates.
Key takeaways:
- The role of PAM in protecting privileged credentials and minimizing the attack surface.
- Real-time session monitoring, auditing, and anomaly detection to enhance security.
- Automation techniques for password management and access provisioning.
- Aligning PAM strategies with regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.
Don’t miss your final chance to explore the exciting products, services, and innovations from our exhibitors.
Every municipality knows the struggle: an ever-growing pile of business-technology projects and limited resources to bring them to life. The backlog keeps expanding, leaving teams feeling overwhelmed and sometimes directionless. But what if there was a way to break free from this cycle and take control?
The City of Saskatoon’s IT department has done just that, revolutionizing the process with a cutting-edge project intake system that’s both simple and effective. This innovative approach puts the Executive Leadership Team at the helm, prioritizing initiatives based on corporate strategic goals. From there, the IT team analyzes resource requirements, aligning capacity with priorities to maximize efficiency and impact.
Artificial Intelligence. Quantum Computing. Modernization of Legacy Systems. Cryptography. Risk Management. Policy Development. Compliance Enforcement. Security Awareness and Training. CyberAlberta will touch on these topics (and others) and hopefully provide some guidance on how you can determine where your priorities lie.
Let us dive into the evolution of records and documentation management, highlighting how these practices have transformed over time. Our focus will be on providing you with practical steps to embark on this journey, ensuring that your city or municipality can efficiently manage records in today's digital age using the advanced features of Microsoft 365.
We'll address the challenges of handling too much legacy data and introduce advanced capabilities such as automated tagging. We'll also discuss how AI can enhance records and document management, and the importance of understanding the data lifecycle, including the necessity of deleting or archiving old content. Finally, we'll guide you on the next steps to take based on where your organization is on its Microsoft 365 journey and outline a strategic roadmap for success.
Thank you TCOR Solutions for your generous sponsorship, which has ensured that attendees can enjoy a much-needed coffee break.
Today's lunch is made possible by the generous sponsorship of Gestisoft, a trusted leader in providing innovative business solutions and IT services.
We appreciate your support in making this event a success!
*Dietary restrictions will be noted on the buffet line. Any food related questions please ask staff in the white chef jackets.
**Those with food allergies may have a separate plated meal, please ask staff in the white chef jackets.
This presentation will showcase how The City of Calgary's Emerging Technology team leverages AI to improve municipal services, streamline operations, and enhance the community's experience. Over the past year, the City of Calgary has attempted to implemented innovative solutions like chatbots for staff support, handwriting recognition for improved data management, and a preliminary concept for automated pothole detection to support infrastructure maintenance —just a few examples of many impactful initiatives. By collaborating with various business units, the City of Calgary has taken the initiative to address complex challenges which have the potential of saving time, reducing costs, and minimizing errors. Our city-wide AI hackathon uncovered even more opportunities to leverage AI for city's internal processes and for citizens and can be an excellent starting point for municipal services to understand the capabilities of AI. This presentation highlights the City of Calgary's progress, the business impact of our initiatives, and our ambitious vision for the future of AI at the City of Calgary.
Are you struggling to keep talent? Do you understand what truly motivates and engages your team members? Are you new to a leadership position and would love a simple and fun tool to quickly help you improve engagement and retention?
Taking learnings from the Centre for Talent Retention this session will provide an overview of a hands-on tool that captures the variables impacting why people join, engage, and stay in organizations. Starting with a card game, the presenter will walk attendees through three simple steps to move managers away from the ineffective "How's it going?" to increased engagement and productivity.
Exceptional leaders understand their people, know their motivators, and are able to focus on “hot buttons” to improve morale, attitude, and results. This session will provide actionable steps to retaining a happy and productive team.
Take advantage of cutting-edge storage and backup technologies to keep your data secure and accessible, while reducing costs, simplifying operations, and eliminating complexity. Join us to discover how Pure Storage and Veeam can provide an integrated solution to help you modernize your datacenter and create a data-resilient municipality.
The Town of Qualicum Beach has transformed its public service delivery using a Generative AI and automation-driven Public Inquiry System. This system integrates GovAI, Azure OpenAI and Encodian for intelligent inquiry classification and information extraction, Microsoft Power Automate and FME Flow for seamless workflow automation and integration, and Power BI for advanced data analytics. This initiative not only exemplifies innovative technology integration in municipal operations but also leads to more cost-effective inquiry management and evidence-based decision making.
On Monday, October 21st, 2024, The City of Calgary launched its new Wave Technology Centre. As part of the Information Technology Smart Calgary Strategy, Wave is a facility designed to help City teams dive in and learn about new technologies. Through experimentation, employees can gain a deeper understanding of how technology can improve the services they deliver.
Room/Location: Victoria Ballroom
The City of Regina's current ITSM solution was approaching end-of-life, presenting an opportunity to seek a new solution that would bring significant efficiencies and enhance the delivery of Technology services.
The team initiated an outcome-based RFP to identify the best solution for the City's goals. After selecting the software, they set an ambitious four-month implementation timeline. The project team adopted a new strategy, with clear goals and a focused approach to ensure success.
Saskatoon's Information Management Hub Renewal project aims to replace the City's legacy records management solution, through the use of Microsoft Purview and E5 licensing solutions. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the City Clerk's Office and Information Technology department, and is a critical component of the City's Information Governance and Data Management Roadmaps.
"IT Business Services: Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing" will explore the City of Medicine Hat's IT department's journey in forming a new team focused on strengthening business relationships across the organization. We will discuss how the IT Business Services team is engaging with other departments to understand their needs, identify technology solutions, and advocate for their business requirements. The goal is to ensure seamless technology integration, driving efficiency, productivity, and innovation across the organization. This session will also touch on the IT Business Partner Model, designed to align IT initiatives with corporate objectives and business plans. The presentation will highlight our journey through the forming, storming, norming, and performing phases, emphasizing strategic collaboration and innovation.
Take this final opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of Chateau Lake Louise. Chateu Lake Louise is surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains and overlooking the serence turquioise waters of Lake Louise.
Join us before dinner for signature cocktails and mocktails while enjoying a cozy campfire under the stars before the main event.
For those attending the dinner, enjoy a charming horse carriage ride to the dinner venue.
Join us at the Barn where we will experience the best of Alberta's culinary delights, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Rockies.
Highlights of the Evening:
Exquisite Menu: Savour dishes crafted from the finest local produce and meats.
Live Music: Be entertained by talented local musicians
*Attendees must hold a ticket to attend
As the conference draws to a close, we invite you to join us for one last chance to network and unwind. The Evening Social, hosted by Zscaler, will take place at The Barn.
Enjoy great company, delicious appetizers, and refreshing drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on the event and make lasting connections.
Thank you, Zscaler, for your gracious hospitality and support throughout the event!
IT leaders are experiencing a unique moment where technologies such as AI have captured the imagination of executives and the public. At the same time, cost pressures and cyber-risks create obstacles to fully taking advantage of these opportunities. IT leaders can win as individuals and for their enterprises by shifting to an offensive leadership stance.
As we wrap up an incredible conference, we want to ensure you stay energized and ready for the journey home.
Thank you to our sponsor, Microsoft, for making it possible.