In this episode of The Geoholics, we go full geospatial nerd mode with several leaders from the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) — a professional organization that’s been shaping the mapping and imaging sciences since 1934. That’s right… these folks were advancing mapping science before lidar was cool and long before anyone thought strapping cameras to drones was a good idea.

Joining the show are Dr. Balaji Ramachandran, Dr. Unal Okyay, Bill Swope, and Scott Dunham, representing the ASPRS Gulf South Region, where they’re working to grow a tight-knit geospatial community across Texas and Louisiana. From certifications to conferences to career-changing connections, this episode dives into why professional organizations still matter in an industry evolving at warp speed.

We kick things off at 30,000 feet discussing what ASPRS actually does and why surveyors, drone pilots, photogrammetrists, lidar specialists, and GIS pros should care. With nearly a century of history behind it, ASPRS has helped establish standards, promote education, and advance technologies that form the backbone of modern geospatial workflows.

The conversation also digs into ASPRS certifications — including Certified Photogrammetrist (CP) and Certified Mapping Scientist (CMS) — and how these credentials can elevate careers, validate expertise, and help professionals stand out in a rapidly growing field.

We also preview the ASPRS Gulf South Geospatial Conference, happening at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, where attendees can expect technical sessions on topics like mobile lidar for railroads, geospatial accuracy standards, photorealistic 3D visualization, and lidar data assessment — plus a panel discussion moderated by your very own Geoholics host....Mr. Kent Groh!

Beyond the tech talk, the episode highlights initiatives like the Jim Gillis Memorial Education Fund, which helps remove financial barriers for students and young professionals pursuing careers in mapping sciences — proving that investing in the next generation is just as important as pushing the technology forward.

Organizations like ASPRS play a critical role in maintaining standards, professional credibility, and ethical practice as geospatial technology becomes more accessible to everyone.

If you care about the future of geospatial technology, professional credibility, and building a stronger community in the mapping sciences, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Music by Pink Floyd!