2025 marks a defining moment in the history of the King County GIS Center (KCGISC). This year, our team was honored not once, but twice, by Esri, receiving the Enterprise GIS Award at both the Esri CIO Summit and the Esri User Conference (UC). These recognitions shine a spotlight on more than three decades of vision, innovation, and unwavering commitment to building one of the most advanced and impactful enterprise GIS programs in the nation.

A Double Honor at Esri’s Premier Leadership Events

At the Esri CIO Summit, King County CIO Stephen Heard and CTO Tamara Davis accepted the Enterprise GIS Award on behalf of the county. The award acknowledges organizations that have successfully implemented enterprise-wide GIS strategies that deliver measurable value, foster collaboration, and elevate public service.

Later in the year, the recognition continued at the Esri User Conference, where the KCGIS Center was again honored with the Enterprise GIS Award. This rare dual recognition affirms the depth, maturity, and excellence of King County’s GIS program. These awards underscore what many in the GIS community have long recognized: King County’s GIS program is not only robust but exemplary.

Sharing the Journey: “From Vision to Reality: Advancing King County’s GIS”

In addition to receiving these prestigious awards, Stephen Heard and Tamara Davis were invited to present at both the Esri CIO Summit and Esri’s Senior Executive Summit (SES). Their presentation, “From Vision to Reality: Advancing King County’s GIS,” traced the evolution of GIS at King County, from its early foundational years to its current role as a strategic enterprise capability that supports nearly every aspect of county operations.

The message resonated with leaders in attendance from across the world. Enterprise GIS is not simply a technology. It is an organizational asset that transforms how governments understand, plan, and serve their communities.

A Legacy Built Over 30 Years

The recognition from Esri is more than an award. It reflects the collective dedication of countless GIS professionals, county leaders, analysts, developers, data stewards, and partners who have advanced GIS at King County and the KCGIS Center over the past 30-plus years.

From pioneering early spatial data standards to building a fully integrated enterprise GIS platform, the KCGIS Center has consistently pushed the boundaries of what GIS can do for public service. Today, GIS is embedded in emergency response, transportation planning, environmental stewardship, public health, property assessment, wastewater treatment and many other essential functions. The impact is broad, measurable, and deeply felt across King County departments and the community.

An 18‑year analysis of GIS return on investment at King County, completed in 2010, documented a conservative ROI of $775 million. Predictive forecasting indicates that the County’s total ROI reached approximately $3 billion by 2025.

Looking Ahead

While 2025 is a year of celebration, it is also a reminder of the responsibility and opportunity ahead. As technology evolves and the needs of the region grow more complex, the King County GIS Center remains committed to innovation, collaboration, and service excellence.

These awards honor our past, and they energize our future.

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