38 days, 19 hours, and 11 minutes until it’s go time for the annual conference as I type this! Registration opened last week, and admittedly, it was a bit of a fiasco. These last several years, we’ve become accustomed to the onslaught for the exhibit hall and sponsorships. What was a surprise this year was the rush for resort rooms. It’s true, we missed out on about 75 rooms due to renovations, and it’s possible some of those rooms may be available prior to our event. Any unfortunate soul who has been through home renovations surely can sympathize. Delays, headaches and hurdles come with the territory. My experience says it’s the same for tech projects and for those of us caught up in facility builds.

The room problem was not ideal, of course, but I’m not aggravated with La Cantera by any means. Being the glass half full man child I am, I see the positive. TAGITM’s popularity has surged past our wildest dreams in recent years. When I first volunteered to serve on the education committee in 2017, I don’t think anyone would have dreamed TAGITM would become what it is today. The org was always popular, but it has really exploded in recent years. Credit to all y’all for getting the word out! It truly is YOUR org, and I hope everyone is proud of what has transpired. It was 2018 when we had our 40th anniversary at La Cantera, and I can recall being enthralled by how nice the resort was. I couldn’t believe we had the juice to hold a wildly successful event there. It was a risk to even try! Fast forward to today and we’re going to pack that gorgeous resort with all kinds of TAGITM awesomeness in April!

By Lana Spiess, 2025 TAGITM Annual Conference Chair

We’re just a few weeks away from the 2025 TAGITM Annual Conference, happening April 22-25 in San Antonio! Get ready for an exciting week of learning, networking, and fun with your fellow IT professionals. Don’t Stop Believin’ IT! Keep Your Tech Dreams Alive!

What’s in Store?

Beyond the insightful keynotes, hands-on training, and cutting-edge tech discussions, we’ve got some incredible experiences lined up:

 Golf Tournament & Networking Fun – Kick off the conference with some friendly competition benefitting the Beth Ann Unger Education Foundation.

💡 Tech-Packed Sessions – From AI and cybersecurity to cloud solutions and GIS innovations, discover the latest trends shaping government IT.

🎤 The Spazmatics & ‘80s Theme Night – Dust off your leg warmers and neon gear because Wednesday night will be totally rad! Enjoy a high-energy performance from The Spazmatics, the ultimate ‘80s cover band!

🍸 Networking & Social Hours – Connect with peers and vendors at the various Happy Hours, Women in Technology Breakfast, Team Building,  Exhibitor Receptions, Sponsor Speed Networking, and more!

🔎 Exhibitor Showcase – Explore cutting-edge solutions designed to support your IT needs.

🚀 And So Much More!

We can’t wait to see you in a few weeks!

By Neil Rose, GISP

On February 27, 2025, TAGITM hosted its inaugural GIS Summit in Lewisville, Texas—an event that not only sold out but also had standing-room-only attendance. This milestone marks a significant advancement in integrating GIS into the broader IT landscape that TAGITM supports.

This in-person summit held over the course of one day brought together GIS professionals, IT managers, and industry leaders to discuss governance, networking, and the evolving role of GIS in government IT. With strong representation from organizations such as the South Central Arc User Group (SCAUG), URISA/GPN, and Esri, the event provided a platform for collaboration and shared knowledge.

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Workplace stress ebbs and flows. Some days are manageable, while others feel overwhelming. Whether it’s deadlines, budget constraints, or leadership changes, stress is an inevitable part of professional life. But sometimes, relief comes from the most unexpected places—and two weeks ago, everything changed.

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