ThursDAY MORNING SESSIONS

OPENING KEYNOTE SESSION
Geomotivation: Why We Rise, Why We Measure, Why It Still Matters
Thursday, 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM

Presenter – Dr. Nikolas Smilovsky, PhD, GISP

1 PDH

Geomotivation aka GEOMO, gets geospatial professionals out of bed each morning. It acts as our internal compass, pulling us toward the field, the map, the data, and the land itself. We feel it in the cool air before sunrise, the hum of GNSS locking onto satellites, and the deep satisfaction of lines closing, models resolving, and projects delivered with pride. This keynote defines GEOMO as both a personal and collective force rooted in curiosity, stewardship, and service. It is the original spark that drew us into the geospatial professions while still fueling us through long days, tight deadlines, and an increasingly complex world.

At a time when the global narrative feels heavy with uncertainty and rapid change, this talk offers grounded optimism. The geospatial profession has never mattered more. From resilient infrastructure and environmental stewardship to digital twins, smart cities, and spatial equity, our work actively shapes the future. This presentation reconnects attendees with why they chose this profession, why their work matters, and why the future of geospatial remains bright. Hope does not live in abstraction. It rests on our shoulders, our maps, our measurements, and through our commitment to helping others navigate the world with clarity.

John Muir wrote, “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.” Geomotivation is that hitch. The subtle or not so subtle reminder that what we do connects people, places, and possibilities. Geospatial professionals don’t just map the world. We make sense of it. That’s GEOMO!

The Democratized Geospatial Revolution

Thursday, 9:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Presenter – Dr. Nikolas Smilovsky, PhD, GISP
3 PDH

This is your foundation. The philosophical and technological shift.

Covers:

● BYOD (“Bring Your Own Device”) and how it reshaped field operations

● Cheap hardware + free software reality

● Democratization of GNSS and field data collection

● Intro and background to the full training path

● Hands-on GNSS demo + free data collection app installation

Why this grouping works:

You’re reframing identity first. Before tools, before workflows, before AI—you reset the mindset. Surveyors are no longer gated by capital-intensive hardware. Precision is portable. Capability is distributable.

This class says: You already own more power than you think.

Survey Business Class
Thursday, 9:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Presenter – Ben Shinabery, PLS
3 PDH

Course description coming soon!

Using AI to Plot Deeds with Deed Reader Pro

Thursday, 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Presenter – Matt Johnson, PE
1 PDH

Matt Johnson P.E., the founder and software developer of Deed Reader Pro, will discuss and demonstrate how to use Deed Reader Pro to plot deeds. Deed Reader Pro is the next generation of metes and bounds plotting software that uses AI to automate plotting legal descriptions in deeds.

Subsurface Utilities

Thursday, 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Presenter – Steve Holliger
2 PDH

Course description coming soon!

THURSDAY AFTERNOON SESSIONS

Free GIS Power Tools for Modern Surveyors

Thursday, 1:30 PM - 5:10 PM

Presenter – Dr. Nikolas Smilovsky, PhD, GISP

4 PDH

Now we move from field collection to spatial intelligence.

Covers:

● Free GIS tools that are powerful for surveyors

● Leveraging free GIS apps + online sources

● Accessing free data for projects

● Research workflows, tips, and tricks

● Introduction to GeoAI capabilities inside GIS

Why this grouping works:

This is the spatial analysis engine room. Once data is collected, the real leverage begins. Here you’re teaching that free doesn’t mean weak. It means open.

You’re showing them that modern GIS ecosystems can:

● Pre-validate sites

● Reduce field time

● Improve proposal accuracy

● Enhance deliverables

This class makes them smarter before they even leave the office.

Ethics, Code of Conduct, & Standards of Practice

Thursday, 1:30 PM - 5:10 PM
Presenter – Jonathan Payne, PLS
4 PDH

Focus on the Standards of Practice – KRS & KAR, our responsibility to protect the public; KRS Chapter 322 – definitions, exceptions, licensure requirements, investigation/complaints, makeup of the board & qualifications; code of Professional Practice and Conduct – definitions, conflict of interest, records retention, qualifications/competence, direct supervision; Standards of Practice – history of the Standards, most common Standards of Practice deficiencies, definitions, classifications for surveys, measurement specifications, monumentation, Section 13 non-boundary survey work; Q&A

Least Squares Adjustment

Thursday, 1:30 PM - 3:10 PM 

Presenter - ?
2 PDH

Course description coming soon!

RPA in the field with Carlson SurvPC and Annotated Objects/Reality Capture
Thursday, 3:30 PM - 5:10 PM
Presenter - ?
2 PDH

Course description coming soon!

FRIDAY MORNING SESSIONS

Pocket LiDAR & 3D Reality Capture
Friday, 8:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Presenter – Dr. Nikolas Smilovsky, PhD, GISP
4 PDH

Now we bend space.

Covers:

● 3D laser scanning with smart devices

● Using modern devices with LiDAR

● Capturing accurate and precise 3D models

● Practical workflows for small firms

Why this grouping works:

Reality capture deserves its own spotlight. It’s a paradigm shift.

High-end terrestrial laser scanners used to cost more than a truck. Now LiDAR lives in your pocket. That doesn’t mean it replaces survey-grade equipment—but it dramatically expands capability.

This class reframes 3D from “elite tool” to “daily workflow enhancer.”

You’re teaching them where it works, where it doesn’t, and how to deploy it strategically instead of romantically.

Leveraging AI and GIS to Improve Surveying Workflows

Friday, 8:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Presenter – Stephen C. Chino, Jr., PLS
4 PDH

This course explores practical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and GIS tools in modern land surveying. Designed for licensed professionals seeking to improve accuracy, efficiency, and data management, the session demonstrates how AI can complement traditional surveying practices without replacing professional judgment. Participants will learn how to create an integrated QGIS-based GIS database, use AI tools to streamline drafting and documentation, and automate repetitive office tasks. Real-world examples show how technology can help “think ahead” while keeping surveyors firmly in control of their boundaries—both digital and physical.

The Right Tool for the Job

Friday, 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM
Presenter – ?
2 PDH

Course description coming soon!

Building Models for Machine Control

Friday, 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Presenter – ?
2 PDH

Course description coming soon!

FRIDAY AFTERNOON SESSIONS

AI-Enabled Surveying & Business Optimization
Friday, 1:30 PM - 4:20 PM
Presenter – Dr. Nikolas Smilovsky, PhD, GISP
3 PDH

Now we step into augmentation.

Covers:

● Using Artificial Intelligence to streamline a surveying business

● Automation of repetitive tasks

● Proposal drafting

● Report summarization

● Workflow optimization

● AI-assisted GIS and GeoAI insights

Why this grouping works:

AI isn’t a field instrument. It’s a force multiplier.

This class connects:

● Data collection

● GIS analysis

● Documentation

● Client communication
● Business operations

You’re teaching them not just to collect better data—but to think faster, write faster, analyze faster, and decide better.

AI doesn’t replace surveyors. It replaces friction.

Kentucky Land Patents

Friday, 1:30 PM - 3:20 PM 

Presenter - Jonathan Payne, PLS
2 PDH

This course will cover the history of land patents in Kentucky including components of a patent and the various series of land patents in Kentucky. How to conduct patent research using both online and printed resources will be explored. As an exercise, the course will walk through the search and plotting of an example patent and placing the patent within a CAD/GIS software package.

Plotting Kentucky Land Patents

Friday, 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM
Presenter - Jonathan Payne, PLS
1 PDH

A one-hour session discussing how to take the data gathered from the Kentucky Land Patents research course and plotting it in the “real world”. This will demonstrate downloading data from Kentucky Geonet sources and integrating them into a GIS or CAD software. Then placing the patents using the called for natural features if available.

Board of Licensure Discussion Panel
Thursday, 1:30 PM - 3:20 PM
2 PDH

Questions and answer panel with various members and staff of the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Engineers and Land Surveyors.

2026 ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Update
Friday, 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM 

Presenter - Michael D. Ladnier, PLS
1 PDH

A Surveyor’s discussion concerning the Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys (Effective February 23, 2026).

CLOSING KEYNOTE SESSION
Friday, 4:30 PM - 5:20 PM
1 PDH