This year’s Esri Partner Conference (EPC) and Developer & Technology Summit (DevTech Summit) in Palm Springs, California was an especially meaningful week for the Blue Raster team. From stepping onto the plenary and delivering keynote presentations to exploring the latest advancements in AI and GIS, the week offered a clear look at where the industry is heading and how we’re evolving with it.
Behind The Scenes Look & Prep
While the Esri Partner Conference typically kicks off on Sunday, this year began earlier for us. Our team arrived on Friday to rehearse for the plenary, getting the chance to step behind the curtain and experience firsthand the level of preparation that goes into one of Esri’s biggest events. From lighting checks to run-throughs with the production team, it quickly became clear how much coordination and care goes into making the plenary run smoothly.
Blue Raster Plenary Session: Empowering Engagement and the AI Frontier
During the EPC Plenary, one of our projects on Viticultural Production with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) was featured on stage by Esri co-founder and President, Jack Dangermond as part of the broader story Esri is telling about the role of GIS in modern organizations.
At the Esri Partner Conference, Blue Raster’s Empowering Engagement and the AI Frontier presentation drew on field observations to highlight how AI is rapidly reshaping expectations for geospatial solutions. While Esri provides a powerful platform, partners play a critical role in bringing domain expertise and translating that technology into real-world applications. The session reflected a growing focus on blending AI-driven innovation with human-centered design to deliver solutions that feel practical, intuitive, and grounded in real user needs.
Taking the stage was definitely a highlight. Sharing Blue Raster’s work and perspective with a large audience of fellow partners reinforced our shared belief with Esri that geographic thinking is becoming essential across industries, and that collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the community are critical to moving the field forward.
From the Partner Conference to the DevTech Summit
In the middle of a packed schedule, we set aside time to reset. As EPC wrapped and the DevTech team arrived, we came together for a group outing, starting off with a hearty breakfast at Sherman's Deli & Bakery, then taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway from the desert floor up into Mount San Jacinto State Park. Trading conference rooms for trail views was a reminder that some of the best team moments happen away from screens, and it gave us a chance to recharge before the next phase of the week.
Blue Raster's Keynote Speech: The Rise of the GIS Technologist
A major highlight was Blue Raster’s DevTech keynote by Thai Pinkney and Phil Satlof, showcasing how GIS roles are evolving. The talk traced the company’s shift from segmented roles to a team of GIS technologists, where AI integration blurs traditional boundaries. GIS professionals now design, build, and deliver integrated solutions, reflecting Esri’s vision and the move toward continuous innovation.
Following their keynote presentation, the Blue Raster team received an award for Innovative Use of ArcGIS Technology, recognizing our work in applying ArcGIS to drive ongoing innovation and meaningful impact.
Watch our keynote speech at the Esri DevSummit below:
Key Takeaways from the Partner Conference and DevTech Summit
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GIS is increasingly integrated across organizations, emphasizing enterprise-wide adoption and collaboration.
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Well-architected systems are critical for stability, scalability, and efficient workflows.
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AI is becoming a core GIS capability, with tools like the ArcGIS Pro AI Assistant and emerging support for Model Context Protocol (MCP) enabling more advanced, agent-driven workflows within ArcGIS
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Updates in ArcGIS Online, Experience Builder, and the ArcGIS API for Python expand functionality for dashboards, feature-level controls, and permission management.
Discover how Blue Raster can help your organization harness GIS and AI to transform data into actionable insights. Connect with our team today to explore solutions tailored to your needs.