Exhibit at the 74^th Annual Surveyors' Institute!

2023 Invitation to Exhibit at the WSLS Annual Surveyors Institute

As we did in 2021 and 2022, we will be doing booth reservations online only. Booth reservation applications can be found on the WSLS.org/Store. 

We recommend that you make your personal room reservations as early as possible.  Rooms are only available at the reduced rate until December 24, 2022 or the resort is sold out. Please reserve your room as soon as possible. UWSP Continuing Education, the Conference Planning Team, and WSLS do not have control over Kalahari policies or room rates once the room block expires or fills to capacity. 

KALAHARI CONVENTION CENTER SHIPPING DETAILS

For questions or comments, please contact Bob Beilfuss at 262-250-8003 or flashthunder506easy@gmail.com.

1) Subdivision of Fractional Sections 

Presenters: Ken Roy, Professional Land Surveyor, BLM Indian Land Surveyor, (BILS), Eastern States Office Bureau of Land Management, Bloomington, Min.

                    Travis Hand, Professional Land Surveyor, Eastern States Bureau of Land Management, Hayward, Wis.

                    Dave Ratford, Chief Cadastral Surveyor and Deputy State Director for Geospatial Services, Eastern States Office Bureau of Land Management, Alexandria, Vir.

The methods for the subdivision of section can either seem simple or quite muddied when dealing with fractional, elongated, and anomalous sections. We will present examples and scenarios defining weighted mean bearings, fixed vs. not fixed, parenthetical distances, and elongated/shorten sections along with the history and laws behind those methods. 

Presenter Biographies

2) It’s No Longer Needed; Can I Just Plat or Map Over It?

Presenter: Renee Powers, Professional Land Surveyor, Supervisor, Plat Review, Department of Administration, State of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.

When plats/CSMs, lots, roads, easements, or other public dedications are no longer needed, what steps are required to get rid of them so new development can occur.

Presenter Biographies

3) Deeds Interpretation/Control

Presenter: John Matonich, Professional Land Surveyor, Retired President and CEO of Rowe Professional Services Company, Flint, Mich.

In a retracement, the surveyor is frequently confronted with problems of resolving conflicts of evidence discovered when required to place a deed description on the ground. This session will address key issues with regard to Deed Interpretation and Control.  Included will be the order of importance of conflicting title elements as well as important principles of Boundary Control.

Presenter Biographies

4) Land Surveying as a Business and Mentoring

Presenter: Devon Vanden Heuvel, PLS, BS, MS, Civil Engineering Technology Instructor, Madison College, Madison, Wis.

Becoming your own boss can be very rewarding but it doesn’t come without stress.  When it comes to starting or operating a Land Surveying business you first need to understand the cost of doing business. This session is for the Surveying entrepreneur that is considering opening a business, new to business ownership, or the individual performing project management.  We will discuss what the typical startup costs are, the importance of identifying your market niche, and the importance of developing a business plan.  In addition, we will venture into the responsibilities of Professional Land Surveyors as mentors to the upcoming young surveyors.

Presenter Biographies

5) UAS Lidar for the Survey Professional

Presenter: Matt Vinopal, CP, CMS-Lidar, GISP Lidar Supervisor, Senior Professional-Geospatial Services, Ayres Associates, Madison, Wis.

This presentation will highlight a variety of applications for UAS Lidar for surveying and mapping as well as remote sensing professionals. Participants will learn to distinguish between photogrammetry and lidar, and the inherent limitations of a photogrammetry only approach to projects. Background on UAS lidar technology, best practices in data acquisition and limitations of the technology will be covered. In addition, the presenter will step through several UAS projects which utilized lidar highlighting the deliverables and expected accuracies for each of these projects.

Presenter Biographies

6) WSLS Young Surveyors' Network Meeting

Presenters: Jeanette Harley, PLS, TruMark Land Surveying, LLC, President, Wisconsin Young Surveyors' Network, Neillsville, Wis.

                     Connor Christopherson, PLS, Project Surveyor, Coleman Engineering Company, Green Bay, Wis.

Calling all young surveyors to join us for updates on the Young Surveyors Network! This meeting is for those who are new to the institute, students of surveying, survey technicians or new to obtaining their license. Supporting Members are also encouraged to attend. 

Presenter Biographies

7) Past, Present and Future of E-recording

Presenters: Cheryl Berken, Brown County Register of Deeds, Green Bay, WI

                     Sharon Martin, CPM, Washington County Register of Deeds, West Bend, WI

During this session, Register of Deeds will examine how e-recording got started, legislation that accelerated e-recording, and what current trends are.  Finally, what does the future of e-recording look like and steps to make it a reality.

Presenter Biographies

8) Boundary Issues and Surveyors in Court

Presenter: David Chrouser, Professional Land Surveyor, Retired, Green Bay, Wis.

This session will focus on a 5 year boundary dispute and expert witness testimony. At issue were existing property pins that did not match previous survey maps. Riparian rights that affected dock placements. And two neighbors that carry a great dislike for each other.

Presenter Biographies

9) Expert Witness & Litigation

Presenter: Knud E. Hermansen, Ph.D., J.D., P.L.S., PE, Esq., Hobe Sound, Fla. 

The practice of a profession often requires a practitioner be prepared to effectively communicate an opinion in court. The practitioner must be prepared to present their opinion and analysis in a clear, understandable, and concise manner. This session will focus on the duties, use, credibility, assistance, and presentation techniques employed by expert witnesses. Please note that Dr. Hermansen will be presenting virtually. Session attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Presenter Biographies

10) Ethics and the Surveyor's Role

Presenter: John Matonich, Professional Land Surveyor, Retired President and CEO of Rowe Professional Services Company, Flint, Mich.

As professionals, surveyors are held to a higher standard and are expected to follow a code of ethical conduct and operation. This presentation will examine the elements of this code and how they fit in the surveyor’s conduct. It will also examine real ethical case situations and discuss why they were or weren’t violations of an ethical code.

Presenter Biographies

11) Vendor Session: The Civil 3D Database

Presenter: Russ Nicloy 

In this session we will look at how the Civil 3D survey database as a way to insert point and linework data into project design files. We will discuss methods for typical edits to data that is stored in the survey database and use of special data search tools.

12) Vendor Session: Feature Codes and Line Work Across the Board

Presenters: Steve Grady, Seiler Geospatial, Franklin, Wis. 

                     Mark Schnesk, Seiler Geospatial, Franklin, Wis.

Feature line connectivity is a great tool to increase a surveyors productivity in the field, and speed up office data processing in Civil 3D and Trimble Business Center. Trimble Access has been improved to show custom line types and blocks. We will show how to export the feature definition manager and line code set from Civil 3D and do additional customizing using Trimble Feature Definition Manager to create a feature code list for the field.  We will show how to load the feature library, do field collection and then import the data into Civil 3D or Trimble Business Center.

13) The Difference Between a Survey and a Map

Presenter: Preston Dowell, PLS, Deputy County Surveyor, St. Louis County, Minn.

What is the difference between a survey and a map? Which one is based on current measurements? Which one is more accurate? Why is there a difference and what ramifications does it have to the end user? We will explore the differences between surveys and tax parcel maps and dispel some common misconceptions of the accuracies of online maps.

Presenter Biographies

14) LiDAR vs. Photogrammetry and WISCORS Network Updates

Presenters: Cormac McInnis, P.L.S., Survey Coordinator, Northeast Region, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Green Bay, Wis.

                     Jacob Rockweiler, P.E., WISCORS Network Manager, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Madison, Wis.

                     Elliot Smith, WISCORS Network Administrator, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Madison, WI

LiDAR vs. Photogrammetry information and WISCORS Network updates will be presented.

Presenter Biographies

15) Buried Treasure

Presenter: Joseph D. Fenicle, BS, PLS, Owner of Angular By Nature, LLC., Assistant Professor of Practice, University of Akron, Hudson, Ohio 

Ground Penetrating Radar holds promise as a practical land surveying tool.  A study of GPR and its application to land surveying including case studies along with an introduction to the Curb Box Charger.

Presenter Biographies

16) Recent Law Changes that Affect Surveyors and WSLS’s Role in Policy Making 

Presenter: Bob Welch, PLS, The Welch Group, Inc., Madison, Wis.

Welch will discuss recent changes to Wi statutes and regulations that affect surveyors and their client. He will also discuss how WSLS gets involved to make policies better. And how individual surveyors can get involved and make a difference.

Presenter Biographies

17) Vendor Session: 30 Billion Scan Points…Now What Do You Do? 

Presenter: Holly Urbain, Survey/GNSS, Sales/Training, Seiler Geospatial, Franklin, Wis.

Trimble Business Center (TBC) can work with point cloud data from many sources including terrestrial scanners and drones. In the session we will show TBC and how it can perform point cloud region separation to make data easier to use and demonstrate automated point extraction from a scanned point cloud data including GIS attributes. We will demonstrate simple to advanced automated line extraction tools to create feature coded linework. We will include creating surfaces and objects as well as the export options available from TBC. 

18) Vendor Session: Modernizing your Field Experience with Android Operating System

Presenter: Matt Lehman, Turning Point Systems Group 

Android-based data collectors can be less expensive and offer more flexibility to meet your specific needs in the field. With field software for Surveyors becoming more propriety, the Geomax Xpad Android Data Collection software allows you to transfer the software directly to your mobile device, making Xpad a stand-alone product that doesn’t need any hardware support. Matt Lehman, Geomax Business Development Manager, will introduce you to Geomax Xpad. Matt has been working in the GeoSpatial industry since 1992 and joined Geomax in 2019.  He has provided training to hundreds of people in the Surveying, Construction, Forestry and GIS industries.

Get set for the 15th annual big event, Wednesday evening, January 25, 2023, in conjunction with the Annual Surveyors’ Institute. Bucky’s Challenge is a trivia contest covering such topics as surveying (of course!), math, sports, television, movies, history, geography and whatever else comes to mind. Join up to 24 teams of three to eight people, representing firms, vendors, local chapters, alumni from our technical colleges, county surveyors and other groups that can find a sponsor. To learn more about “Bucky’s Challenge,” contact contest chairman Kevin Slottke at (414) 643-4161, kslottke@thesigmagroup.com, or visit WSLS.org.

19) Ethics and Professional Courtesy

Presenter: Knud E. Hermansen, Ph.D., J.D., P.L.S., PE, Esq., Hobe Sound, Fla. 

Ethics and Professional Courtesy will discuss common and accepted ethical principles for surveyors. The seminar will focus on the application of ethics in practice, resolving ethical conflicts, and the interaction of ethics and professional courtesy. The objectives of the seminar will be to gain a basic understanding of practical application of ethics; recognize ethical dilemmas and their resolution; learn value based ethical analysis; and compare generally accepted ethical principles with mandated ethics. Please note that Dr. Hermansen will be presenting virtually. Session attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Presenter Biographies

20) Existent, Obliterated and Lost PLSS Corners 

Presenters: Kenneth Roy, Professional Land Surveyor, BLM Indian Land Surveyor, (BILS), Eastern States Office Bureau of Land Management, Bloomington, Min.

                     Travis Hand, Professional Land Surveyor, Eastern States Bureau of Land Management, Hayward, Wis.

                     F. David Radford, Chief Cadastral Surveyor and Deputy State Director for Geospatial Services, Eastern States Office Bureau of Land Management, Alexandria, Vir.

The understanding of the definition of the three classifications of Public Land Surveys corners is a critical aspect in the performance in any boundary survey. It provides a means of communication in the evaluation of PLSS corners utilized during any survey. We will discuss the three types of PLSS corners in depth and situations and things to consider when evaluating corner positions. We will also discuss methods for the restoration of lost corners which can also an excellent tool for the refinement of search positions during the iterative process of a corner evaluation.

Presenter Biographies

21) Wisconsin Roads

Presenter: Edgar Harvey, Jr., RLS/PE, Ed Harvey's Land Office, LLC, Waldo, WI

This session will provide attendees with information about laying out of roads throughout Wisconsin’s history, where to locate those records and how to retracement them. 

Presenter Biographies

22) Aerial Mapping Targeting & Validation

Presenters: Richard Kleinmann, PLS, Geospatial Transportation Leader, Ayres and Associates

                   Shawn Meyer, PLS, Bureau Survey Coordinator, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Central Office, Surveying and Mapping Section

Learn the “why” behind manned imagery and lidar aerial targeting survey requirements including WisDOT projects and USGS 3DEP lidar program missions.  We will also discuss what makes “map check” points and “validation” points suitable for their intended purpose and targeting survey metadata.

Presenter Biographies

23) Vendor Session: TBA

24) Vendor Session: TBA

25) Samuel Stinson Gannett and the WI/MN State Line

Presenter: Joseph D. Fenicle, BS, PLS, Owner of Angular By Nature, LLC., Assistant Professor of Practice, University of Akron, Hudson, Ohio 

The surveyor of the Wisconsin/Minnesota State line and so many other State Lines will be examined.

Presenter Biographies

26) Datums: The Foundation of Geospatial Data

Presenter: Jacob Heck, PhD, Great Lakes Regional Geodetic Advisor, National Geodetic Survey, NOAA

When it comes to geospatial data, it is important to use a common reference so data collected at different times by different people can be compared. Think about it as the zero line on a graph. Changing that zero line changes the values. A set of coordinates does not tell much without including what those coordinates are referenced to. A datum or reference frame enables data to be compared. I'll cover the basics of datums and reference frames, including how they are determined and how they connect at the national and global levels.

Presenter Biographies

27) FEMA Related Surveys

Presenter: Ronald Jacobson, BS, PLS, Survey Manager, Coleman Engineering Company, Ironwood, Mich.

Session will discuss surveys related to Elevation Certificates, Elevation Forms, Conditional Letters of Map Amendment, and Flood Studies. FIRM Maps and Documents required for submitting these forms will also be discussed. Surveys required for Risk Mapping to create FIRM Maps will be discussed.    

Presenter Biographies

28) Survey Research: Then and Now

Presenters: Kevin Slottke, Professional Land Surveyor, The Sigma Group, Milwaukee, Wis. 

                    Terry Van Hout, Professional Land Surveyor, Survey Manager, Westwood Professional Services, Appleton, Wis.

A discussion on how research was done historically and how technology has changed methods and sources. What to look for and where to look!

Presenter Biographies

29) Vendor Session: Drone Technology Use Case Review & Best Practices for Achieving Desired Deliverables 

Presenter: Travis LaMoine 

                   Andrew Robb

Join the Seiler GeoDrone team for an update on Drone tech: aircraft, new payloads and data processing options, with emphasis on the “where, when & how” to apply the best sensor for particular outcomes (LiDAR, Photogram, Thermal).  A review of these options in conjunction with Surveying field practices will include GCP strategies, RTK vs. PPK options, and more.

30) Vendor Session: Managing Underground Assets with ESRI and RFID 

Presenter: Mike Klonsinski, Berntsen International, Inc. 

Identifying and managing underground utility assets is a challenge. We have difficulty identifying a particular underground asset (e.g. valves, splices) or point (e.g. utility conflict), managing workflows associated with that asset, and sharing that asset information across the organization or multiple organizations. An optimal solution combines the mapping power of GIS with reliable in-field assets marking verification 

This session is targeted for individuals involved with u​tility location and identification such as Right-of-way managers, utility locators, field operations managers, and those involved with better GID to field operations. 

Berntsen President Mike Klonsinski will share how RFID technology marks utility assets, triggers, connectivity to ESRI's ArcGIS system, and enables sharing of asset data by multiple departments or organizations. 

31) The Ins and Outs of Access Easements

Presenter: Jessica J. Shrestha, JD, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., Madison, Wis.

In this session we will cover the many ways access easements are created (written grant, CSM, prescription, etc.), interpretation of access easements and recent changes to the law including private road maintenance and the potential expiration of access easements by operation of law.  We will also discuss potential easement terms and best practices.  Questions encouraged!

Presenter Biographies

32) The Center(s) of Section 

Presenter: Joseph D. Fenicle, BS, PLS, Owner of Angular By Nature, LLC., Assistant Professor of Practice, University of Akron, Hudson, Ohio 

A discussion on the highly controversial Center of Section with Case Law, Case Studies and Interviews.

Presenter Biographies

33) There Has to be a Better Way!

Presenters: Matt O'Rourke, Vice President-LandTech Surveying, Oconomowoc, Wis.

                     Rich Leaver, Owner-Leaver Land Surveying, Beaver Dam, Wis.

An overview of the Swiss Cadastre and how it could be used as a model to improve our land information systems in WI. We will examine ways that we should be implementing our current technology to bolster replatting and our land information systems. The presenters will provide current examples of the differences between our land information systems and the Swiss system. 

Presenter Biographies

34) Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors Annual Meeting

This session focuses on the WSLS accomplishments of the past year and looks forward to 2023. 

Presenter Biographies

35) Vendor Session: TBA

36) Vendor Session: TBA

This entertaining event offers attendees a chance to bid on great items including cash prizes and many others. Items will be available for viewing throughout the Institute in the Foundation Booth. A cash bar will be available.

Join us for an evening of celebration, where we will honor exceptional surveyors. The Banquet and Awards will recognize new licenses, Map/Plat contest winners, Trig-Star winners, and other Annual Awards. Scholarship recipients will be recognized and the 2022 President will pass the gavel to the new 2023 President. Tickets are required for entry and are included in the cost of the Full Institute. Banquet tickets will be collected at the door at the start of the Banquet on January 26, 2023. On-site banquet tickets are limited, so be sure to purchase your ticket for spouses and/or guests in advance!

37) Condominiums 101: So You’ve Been Asked To Do a Condo Plat

Presenter: Jim Wallen, Professional Land Surveyors, Retired, Green Bay, Wis.

This session will be geared towards surveyors with limited experience dealing with condo plats. We will cover basic terms, concepts and discuss situations where a condominium may be a good fit for a project. We will also review frequently made errors and how to sync up your plat with the declaration. 

Presenter Biographies

38) "Following the Footsteps" Of a Different Kind

Presenters: Thomas J. Hebert, Paleontologist, Founder, & Director, Earth Sciences Foundation, Inc. 

                     Ladd Nelson, Director, Midwest Sales, Carlson Software, Bellevue, Iowa

Land Surveyors recover field evidence by "following the footsteps" left by their predecessors based on available field notes and field evidence. Paleontologists are now beginning to follow the footsteps of the land surveying community and its technology solutions in their quest to find their own "monuments" and develop a deeper and clearer picture of our earth sciences.

Presenter Biographies

39) What Should I Do? I Can’t Believe I Did Anything Wrong!

Presenter: Steven Sorenson, JD, vonBriesen & Roper S.C., Neenah, WI

This program will take a realistic approach at the Ethics related to surveying. The program will take real life examples of actions or statements many believe are fine and dissect them to determine why those actions are likely a violation of the rules of ethics. We will also look at what should someone do who believes that a violation has occurred. Where does one turn when the regulators come calling or the client files a complaint. This real life examination of ethics should provide a valuable lesson for all attending. 

Presenter Biographies

40) The Quandary of Section 15: Just Over a Square Mile of Clues

Presenter: Dean Roth, PLS, County Surveyor, Eau Claire County, Eau Claire, Wis.

Drawing the lines of Section 15, Town 26 North, Range 7 West was easy in 1849. It was a square measuring 80 chains (one chain = 66 feet) on each side and the Center was drawn as a simple intersection of the East-West and North-South Quarter lines. There were eight corners set with this original survey; one at each corner of the square and one halfway in between each of those. Wood posts were set at all the corners and development occurred. // A Center 1/4 corner was established not long after the original eight. // A retracement survey in the 1980’s treated one corner as “Lost” and reestablished it using mathematics. Current survey staff found the correct location for the corner ~120 feet away from the 1980’s position. This represents one of the largest corrections needed on a monumented position in Eau Claire County. It also makes for a fascinating case study of how the surveyor, landowner (past and present) and GIS professional can retrace the history of land boundaries, improvements and law to determine the correct place to set the monuments and draw the line.

Presenter Biographies

41) Fundamentals of Surveying and the Principles and Practices of Land Surveying Exam Review - Part I

Presenter: Mark Kamin, Professional Land Surveyor (Wisconsin & Indiana), Civil Engineering Technology-Surveying Instructor, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, Wis.

This session will focus on the Fundamentals of Land Surveying and the Principles and Practices of Land Surveying Exam. This land surveying refresher will focus on the things you need to know about the exams, including exam format, study material, and how to apply.

Presenter Biographies

42) Vendor Session: TBA

43) Dealing With Coordinate “Drift” on a Multi-Year Corridor Project

Presenters: Richard Kleinmann, PLS, Geospatial Transportation Leader, Ayres and Associates

                     Howard Veregin, PhD, Wisconsin State Cartographer

                     Jacob Heck, PhD, Great Lakes Regional Geodetic Advisor, National Geodetic Survey, NOAA

We will be discussing the “Passive Control for a Multi-year Corridor Project” Use Case from the NGS “Blueprint for the Modernized NSRS - Part 3.”  This is a hypothetical project scenario examining the desire to keep the project referenced to the control values expressed in the initial project reference epoch and how the “drift” of the passive control will be dealt with over 10 years.   How much drift can be tolerated?  We hope this presentation encourages surveyors to start considering, in greater detail, how they will accommodate “drift” over time on long duration projects and further discuss the ramifications of this issue with other disciplines and organizations involved in these types of projects.  We will also provide a short update on WSRS2022 Task Force Activity.

Presenter Biographies

44) Surveying the Past: Land Surveys, Archaeology, and Burial Sites

Presenter: Amy L. Rosebrough, PhD, staff archaeologist, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society

The presenter will provide an overview of the important role that Wisconsin’s land surveyors have played in the documentation and preservation of the ancient past, and how current land surveyor can continue this remarkable legacy.  An overview of the archaeology of Wisconsin will be presented, along with information regarding the types of archaeological sites that surveyors may encounter and the laws that guide preservation. 

Presenter Biographies

45) Now What Are the Courts and Legislatures Up To? 

Presenter: Steven Sorenson, JD, vonBriesen & Roper S.C., Neenah, WI

This session will examine the latest Court decisions in Wisconsin and in Federal Courts that effect the duties and responsibilities of a surveyor. We will look at the practical applications of some of the new shoreland and water rights cases. A close look at several new boundary cases will be examined along with a discussion of the role that surveyors played in this cases. Finally, we will look into our crystal ball and predict where the government going with land information regulation. 

Presenter Biographies

46) Wisconsin County Surveyors Association (WCSA) Annual Membership Meeting

This session provides a unique learning opportunity on a wide variety of land surveying topics. While this session serves as the annual membership meeting for the Wisconsin County Surveyors Association, all WSLS members are invited to join in on the discussions and ask questions on the various topics. Representatives from the State Cartographers Office, National Geodetic Survey and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be in attendance to deliver reports and answer questions. The “Friend of Wisconsin Land Surveying Award” will be presented along with recognition of WCSA members accomplishments.

Presenter Biographies

47) Fundamentals of Surveying and the Principles and Practices of Land Surveying Exam Review - Part II

Presenter: Mark Kamin

This session will continue the conversation from Part I focusing on the Fundamentals of Land Surveying and the Principles and Practices of Land Surveying Exam. This land surveying refresher will focus on the things you need to know about the exams, including exam format, study material, and how to apply. 

Presenter Biographies

48) Vendor Session: TBA

The Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for our members. Becoming a member of the WSLS will help to keep you up-to-date on issues, laws and regulations that affect the profession of land surveying. Join us in our endeavors of promoting the land surveying profession, improving legislative awareness and enhancing professionalism. We encourage our members to get involved, provide input and be an active participant. 

Organized in 1952, the Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors (WSLS) is a statewide volunteer organization committed to the advancement of the surveying profession.  The WSLS supports professional land surveyors licensed to practice in Wisconsin, as well as those seeking licensure and Certified Survey Technicians.

The WSLS consists of nine chapters throughout Wisconsin.  Each chapter works diligently within its region, organizing and participating in community and educational events, networking, helping the public access licensed surveyors, and as an advocate in legislation and issues affecting the surveying profession.

For more information about WSLS, click here. To join or renew your WSLS membership, click here.

Join us on Whova!

More information will be coming soon, but if you would like a sneak peek, watch the Whova How-To Guide! More information on how to download Whova will be available soon and will be emailed to conference attendees.

Whova User Guide with Sound

Whova User Guide without Sound with Captions

A block of rooms is available at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center. Reservations should be made online to avoid excessive wait times and resort fees. Rooms are only available at the reduced rate until December 24, 2022 or the resort is sold out. Please reserve your room as soon as possible. If you are unable to book a room at the block rate before December 24, 2022, please contact Susan Barrett at sbarrett@uwsp.edu. 

Are you booking a group of rooms and would like them to be close to one another? Please add a note in the "request" section as you complete your online reservation. These notes are reviewed by Kalahari staff members. 

If you call to make a room reservation, please expect long wait times. The room block is under "WSLS UWSP."

UWSP Continuing Education, the Conference Planning Team, and WSLS do not have control over Kalahari policies or room rates once the room block expires or fills to capacity. A one-night deposit is required at the time of reservation.  

Important Information from the Kalahari
Per their policy, the Kalahari does not accept completed Credit Card Letter of Authorization forms, Tax Exemption forms, nor Purchase Orders at hotel check-in. They have a dedicated team that pre-approves these forms to ensure validity prior to check-in.  These forms should be submitted no later than 7 days prior to check-in via email or fax 608-254-6116.

The Kalahari highly suggests attendees submit these forms at least two weeks in advance of check-in so their team can process them in a timely manner. Failure to follow this procedure may result in full room and tax charges to your personal card, since their Front Desk will not accept these forms at check-in. The Kalahari General Policy Page explains their policies in full detail. 

Kalahari FAQ
Additional Information about Staying at the Kalahari

State-Rate Lodging 

A room block will be available at the Clarion Hotel & Suites/Wintergreen Conference Center to accommodate those registrants employed by government agencies who are required to stay at state-rate hotels.  These rooms will be held until January 10, 2023.  Room rates are $90 per night for single occupancy.  To receive this rate, you must provide the appropriate documentation for rate eligibility, including tax exempt documentation.


Reservations can also be made by calling Wintergreen at 800-648-4765. Press "1" to reserve and reference the "WSLS Institute" room block.  

PDHs are endorsed by the Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors. PDHs are earned in the workshops that you attend during the Institute, not on the workshops indicated when you registered. It is the individual’s responsibility to report PDHs earned to their appropriate credential or licensing board. You will receive your official PDH form via email after the Institute. Copies will be retained by UW-Stevens Point and WSLS.

Do you want to become a Certified Surveying Technician? Here's your opportunity!

The WSLS/CST Committee is offering a special testing opportunity on Friday, January 27, 2023, starting at 8:30 a.m. Tests will be given for CST Levels 1, 2, and 3. You must apply for the testing. Application and detailed information on the program can be obtained by clicking here. Applications and fees must be returned to the Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors by January 13, 2023, at: Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors, 16 N. Carroll Street, Suite 600, Madison, WI 53403. 

KALAHARI COVID POLICY

At this point, to attend the Institute, WSLS does not have an official mandate on masking or attendee vaccination status/proof of negative test. The situation remains very fluid and, as such, if protocols should change, we will be certain to inform all conference registrants.

Please direct questions or concerns to uwspce-conf@uwsp.edu.

UWSP Continuing Education works hard to communicate all special meal requests and allergies to the conference venue. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we cannot guarantee all special dietary needs can be met. If you have dietary needs (i.e., kosher, low salt, low carb, keto, etc.), you may wish to make alternative meal arrangements.

Conference fees cannot be adjusted due to special dietary needs.