Archives
02/05
The consensus of those I talked to about the 2009 Indiana GIS Conference is that it was an overwhelming success! I heard high marks for the presentations, the hands-on workshops, the location (Bloomington), the facility, the keynote speech, and the food. I also heard one or two unofficial comments that the watering holes were exceptional.
Of Special Note: We had a total of 310 attendees this year, down a little from the near record attendance in 2008. I chalk that up to economics much more than location. The proximity to Indiana University facilitated several off-site workshops that took advantage of IU’s connected classrooms. My prediction is that attendees will want to see a higher ratio of hand-on versus lecture style presentations for future conferences.
A new award was unveiled at this year’s conference. This award is presented by the Indiana Geographic Information Council (IGIC) to an individual or organization for exemplary service, dedication, and accomplishment in coordinating Indiana GIS through dissemination of data and data products, education and outreach, adoption of standards, building partnerships, and advancing the IndianaMap.
The award is named in honor of Indiana State Senator David C. Ford (1949-2008). Senator Ford was from Hartford City, IN and represented District 19 as a four-term lawmaker who served as Assistant Majority Floor Leader and chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology. IGIC owes a debt of gratitude to Senator Ford for his vision and understanding of the potential the IndianaMap holds for Indiana, and for co-sponsoring legislation passed in 2007 to institutionalize its support. "I will always think that my role in GIS has been one of my proudest contributions to Indiana." - Sen. David Ford personal correspondence, February 22, 2008.
During the conference awards program, the first ever David C. Ford Special Achievement Award was presented to past IGIC Executive Director Jill Saligoe-Simmel.
Our conference keynote speaker was Dr. Craig Stewart, Associate Dean of Research Technologies at IU. He heads up the group that makes our aerial photography available for download at University Information Technology Services (UITS). Dr. Stewart presented a quick history of GIS and underlined the importance of being able to ask “where” questions. He also made a compelling argument that because we have made some very good decisions about GIS in Indiana, we are very well positioned to effectively put to good use any dollars that might come from the economic stimulus package (or anywhere else).
After Dr. Stewart's presentation, the David C. Ford Special Achievement Award was presented to University Information Technology Services at Indiana University. UITS became the first organization to receive this award.
Of Special Note: We had a total of 310 attendees this year, down a little from the near record attendance in 2008. I chalk that up to economics much more than location. The proximity to Indiana University facilitated several off-site workshops that took advantage of IU’s connected classrooms. My prediction is that attendees will want to see a higher ratio of hand-on versus lecture style presentations for future conferences.
A new award was unveiled at this year’s conference. This award is presented by the Indiana Geographic Information Council (IGIC) to an individual or organization for exemplary service, dedication, and accomplishment in coordinating Indiana GIS through dissemination of data and data products, education and outreach, adoption of standards, building partnerships, and advancing the IndianaMap.
The award is named in honor of Indiana State Senator David C. Ford (1949-2008). Senator Ford was from Hartford City, IN and represented District 19 as a four-term lawmaker who served as Assistant Majority Floor Leader and chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology. IGIC owes a debt of gratitude to Senator Ford for his vision and understanding of the potential the IndianaMap holds for Indiana, and for co-sponsoring legislation passed in 2007 to institutionalize its support. "I will always think that my role in GIS has been one of my proudest contributions to Indiana." - Sen. David Ford personal correspondence, February 22, 2008.
During the conference awards program, the first ever David C. Ford Special Achievement Award was presented to past IGIC Executive Director Jill Saligoe-Simmel.
Our conference keynote speaker was Dr. Craig Stewart, Associate Dean of Research Technologies at IU. He heads up the group that makes our aerial photography available for download at University Information Technology Services (UITS). Dr. Stewart presented a quick history of GIS and underlined the importance of being able to ask “where” questions. He also made a compelling argument that because we have made some very good decisions about GIS in Indiana, we are very well positioned to effectively put to good use any dollars that might come from the economic stimulus package (or anywhere else).
After Dr. Stewart's presentation, the David C. Ford Special Achievement Award was presented to University Information Technology Services at Indiana University. UITS became the first organization to receive this award.