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.

Business Concepts for Kentucky Land Surveyors
from H. Edward Burgeron's Book: A Pocket Guide to Business for Engineers and Surveyors
Thursday, 9:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Presenter – Ben Shinabery, PLS
2 PDH

In this two-hour business session, surveyors will explore the core principles of H. Edmund Bergeron’s practical text, A Pocket Guide to Business for Engineers and Surveyors, tailored specifically for the modern Kentucky professional. Designed to bridge the gap between technical expertise and entrepreneurial success, this presentation provides a roadmap for surveyors looking to master the "business side" of their practice. Whether a new licensed surveyor or a veteran of the bluegrass properties, business topics covered in this session will cause any surveyor to think critically about their contracted work.

We will dive into the critical pillars of firm management, from effective staff leadership and client communication to the fundamental financial and legal strategies required to protect and grow a surveying business. For all new LSITs and new PLS licensees, this session offers a concentrated dose of leadership insights to help you transition from a skilled technician to a confident business leader. A free copy of the book is offered to any registrant of this session who is a KY PLS Young Surveyor under the age of 35 who is a member of KY YSN.

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 Utility Engineering Locations for Land Surveyors

Thursday, 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Presenter – Steven A. Holliger, CST
2 PDH

Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) as it relates to land surveying most deals with the location of underground utility lines or pipes and the different levels of confidence associated with that location. SUE is mainly used at the design stage of an engineering project when information is being collected for potential design conflicts. When a SUE investigation is carried out for a design project prior to construction, the land survey objective is generally to collect accurate utility information on the location and the size and material of the facility for use in all stages of the project. Project owners and design engineers may be missing information about their underground utilities or have inaccurate data. In this session, we will discuss the benefits of having accurate locations of underground utilities according to the four quality levels prescribed by ASCE Standard 38-02 as well as the safety implications if utilities are not properly located.

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

LotNet Subdivision Layout

Thursday, 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM 

Presenter - Bruce Carlson, PLS
1 PDH

LotNet is a specialized automation tool integrated into Carlson Software's suite of civil engineering and land surveying applications, such as Carlson Survey and Carlson Civil. It is designed to streamline the process of subdividing land parcels into lots, making it particularly useful for planning residential subdivisions, office parks, commercial developments, and other tract layouts. By automating the generation of lot boundaries, setbacks, building placements, and associated annotations, LotNet significantly reduces manual drafting time and minimizes errors in site design workflows.

Annotative Objects 101

Thursday, 2:20 PM - 3:10 PM 

Presenter - Douglas L. Aaberg, PLS
1 PDH

Learn the basics of creating and utilizing Annotative Objects in everyday CAD drafting. Class participants will learn how Annotative objects (text and symbols) can improve efficiency when drafting in layout viewports at multiple scales. Learn how to take advantage of Carlson tools specifically created to simplify the process of creating annotative objects out of standard blocks and text. Learn what to look out for and problems to avoid.

Optimizing Surveying Workflows Combining GNSS and Total Station Data In Carlson SurvPC and SurvNET

Thursday, 3:30 PM - 5:10 PM
Presenter - Jesse Kozlowski, PLS
2 PDH

Class participants will learn how to maximize their productivity and increase their confidence to obtain high quality and consistently repeatable results following methods and procedures designed to properly combine GNSS and Total Station data. An introduction to the most recent standards and specifications document published by NGS in 2024 known as "NOS NGS 92" will be presented. Attendees are encouraged to pattern their own workflows in accordance with the methodologies outlined in this and other NGS specs for implementation in their own daily practices. An introduction to the Precise Trig Leveling routine in SurvPC will be included in this class along with how users can validate their work while still in the field at the project site by performing a least squares adjustment of their data using SurvNet within SurvPC.

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.

Field-to-Finish Surveying with Trimble Laser Scanning

Friday, 8:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Presenter – Shane Lyons, Brett Harmon, and Sean Cleveland
4 PDH

This presentation provides a comprehensive examination of the modern field-to-finish surveying workflow, leveraging the power of Trimble's integrated laser scanning equipment and the analytical capabilities of Trimble Business Center (TBC). As the demand for high-accuracy, high-density spatial data continues to grow, surveyors must adopt efficient workflows to move from field acquisition to final deliverable seamlessly.

This session will guide attendees through a complete process, starting with the selection and operation of Trimble laser scanners in the field, through the quality control and data processing stages in TBC, and concluding with the creation of various project deliverables. The presentation will equip surveying professionals with the knowledge to maximize productivity, reduce processing time, and deliver accurate data to their clients using an end-to-end Trimble solution.

Presentation Focus Areas:

I. Data Acquisition: Trimble Laser Scanning

• Equipment Selection: Choosing the appropriate Trimble laser scanner (e.g., terrestrial, mobile, or drone-based) for different project types, including infrastructure, construction, and topographic surveys.
• Field Workflow Optimization: Best practices for scan setup, registration (including target and targetless methods), and real-time quality assurance using the Trimble field software.

II. Processing and Analysis: Trimble Business Center

• Import and Registration: Seamless data transfer from the field to TBC, including automated point cloud registration, geo-referencing, and cleaning.
• Point Cloud Feature Extraction: Techniques for efficiently extracting crucial features, such as 3D lines, surfaces, and modeling elements, from dense point cloud data.
• Survey Deliverable Preparation: Using TBC's powerful tools to create digital terrain models (DTMs), cross-sections, volumetric calculations, and other core surveying outputs.

III. Deliverables and Integration

• Quality Control and Reporting: Methods for verifying the accuracy of the point cloud and final deliverables and generating comprehensive inspection reports. 
• Integration with CAD/BIM: Exporting final data in formats compatible with common design and modeling platforms (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit).

Conclusion

The session will conclude by summarizing the key benefits of a fully integrated Trimble field-to-finish connected workflow, demonstrating how this solution increases efficiency, improves data reliability, and positions surveying firms for success in the future of spatial data acquisition.

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

An uplifting closing keynote that explores the evolving state of the land surveying profession in Kentucky and across the nation, celebrating its legacy while confronting today’s challenges and opportunities. This address hopes to inspire attendees to lead with integrity, innovation, and collaboration as they shape the future of surveying for the next generation.