WSLS Surveyors' Institute
January 21 - 23, 2026
Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Business and Leadership, Natural Resources
​​77th Annual Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors' Institute

Event Logo

​​January 21-23, 2026 
Kalahari Resort and Convention Center
Wisconsin Dells, Wis. 

WSLS Sponsor Logos.PNG

2026 Details


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 Annual WSLS Institute is an educational and professional networking event designed for surveyors and other professionals working in the surveying industry. 

Institute Agenda​ ​

Speaker Information​

​Registration Information ​

​​​Register Now Button

Registration R​​eso​urce Guide​ 

Printable schedule with descriptions,​ times, presenters and more!​

If you are paying by check, please fill out the mail-in regs​itration form​

Registration closes January 11, 2026 at Midnight.​

Conference Information 

Institute Fees



WSLS Member
​Non-Member
WSLS Member Student
​Non-Member Student
​Full Institute (Early bird registration ends January 5, 2026)
​$375
​$640
​$150
​$180
​Full Institute (On or after January 6​, 2026)
​$445
​$710
​$150
​$180
​Day 1 (Wednesday, January 21, 2026)
​$200
​$335

​Day 2 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)
​$200
​$335

​Day 3 (Friday, January 23, 2026​)
​$160
​$235
​Banquet​
​$50
​$50

Exhibitor Opportunities

 Exhibit at the 77​th Annual Surveyors' Institute!

2026​ Exhibitor Guide​ 

As we have done the past few years​, we will be doing booth reservations online only. Booth reservation applications can be found on the WS​​LS.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 20, 2025 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.

Past Presidents

​​

2025 Ryan Duckart

2024 Jim Sehloff

2023 Josh Prentice

2022 Bryan Meyer

2021 Ed Harvey, Jr.

2020 Kevin Boyer

2019 Terry Van Ho ut

2018 Robert Beilfuss

2017 Larry Miller

2016 Emily Pierce

2015 Jeffrey DeMuth

2014 Sean Walsh

2013 John Baudhuin

2012 Allen Schneider

2011 Bruce Bowden

2010 James Rein

2009 James Wallen

2008 John Casucci

2007 Lisa Van Horn

2006 Joseph Gruber

2005 Chester Nowaczyk

2004 Robert Harris

2003 Terrance Genske

2002 Terrance Pisarek

2001 Daniel Birrenkott

2000 Lee Villeneuve

1999 William Jung

1998 Burt Naumann

1997 Howard Licht

1996 David Chrouser

1995 Matthew Janiak

1994 Francis Thousand

1993 Michael Romportl

1992 Dennis Mickesh

1991 Donald LaCount

1990 John Margitan

1989 Michael Roach

1988 David Schmalz

1987 Norman Hanson

1986 Robert  Luebben

1985 Leslie Van Horn

1984 Arden Sandsnes

1983 Donald Rhode

1982 Frederic Zietlow

1981 David Mau

1980 Rodney Ripley

1979 Donald Paulson

1978 Gerald Inman

1977 Herman Hovelsrud

1976 Robert  Johanning

1975 Anthony Kiedrowski

1974 Hugh Lee

1973 John Nielsen

19​​72 William Rohde​​​​​​

‭(Hidden)‬ 5:00-5:45 p.m. | Foundation Social Hour and Raffle

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.

‭(Hidden)‬ 6-8 p.m. | Banquet and Scholarship Award Ceremony

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 2025 President will pass the gavel to the new 2026 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 22, 2026. On-site banquet tickets are limited, so be sure to purchase your ticket for spouses and/or guests in advance!

WSLS Membership

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.

​Whova: Conference App

Join us on Whova!

Whova

The following is just a sample of what you will be able to access through Whova:

  • Session Handouts
  • Session Evaluations
  • Institute Agenda
  • Session Room Locations
  • Presenter Bios
  • Networking Opportunities
  • Exhibitor Information
Get Whova Now


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

Lodging | Available Now

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 20, 2025 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 20, 2025, please contact The UWSP Conference Planning Team at uwspce-conf@uwsp.edu
Room Reservations
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

‭(Hidden)‬ ​Professional Development Hours (PDHs)

The 77th Annual Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors' Institute has been approved for 16.2 Professional Development Hours (PDHs). 

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. On the final day of the Institute, you will be sent an email with a link to complete the PDH form. The form will remain open for 30 days following the last day of the Institute. After the 30-day time period, you will no longer be able to receive PDHs from this Institute. There will be no exceptions. PDH certificates will be sent to you via email the week of February 23-27, 2026. Copies will be retained by UW-Stevens Point and WSLS.​

​Miscellaneous 

COVID Policy

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​.

Special Dietary Requests

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. 

​​ ​

​2026 Cancellation Policy


The full Institute fee includes program materials, program souvenir, certificate of participation, refreshments, two luncheons, and the banquet. The registration fee is completely refundable through Friday, January 9, 2026. Cancellations made between January 10 and January 14, 2026 will be charged a $50/per registrant administrative fee. No refunds granted on or after, January 15, 2026. Substitutions may be made at any time, but no-shows will be responsible for the full registration fee. On-site registrants will not be guaranteed meals, conference materials and/or complimentary items. Please contact UWSP Continuing Education if you have not received confirmation of your registration at uwspce-conf@uwsp.eduEmail uwspce-conf@uwsp.edu​ to notify us of a cancellation.

Contact Information


Call UW-Stevens Point Continuing Education at 715-346-3838 for assistance with registration.

Email UW-Stevens Point Conferences at uwspce-conf@uwsp.edu if you need assistance with registration and/or with questions about conference content.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least four weeks in advance.  Please contact UW-Stevens Point Continuing Education at uwspce-conf@uwsp.edu.