MAPPS Winter Conference
January 20-24, 2009
Marriott Frenchman's Reef
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
2009 Winter Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
To Register for the Conference: Click Here
Hotel Information
MAPPS group room rate for the 2009 Winter Conference at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef is $270 and only available until December 19, 2008. This group rate is available three (3) days prior and three (3) days after the conference ONLY if the hotel has availability. January is peak tourist season for St. Thomas and the Frenchman's Reef is expected to be sold out. Please make your hotel reservations early. Reserving your hotel room is NOT your MAPPS Conference Registration, you must register for the conference separately. To reserve your room click here, select the dates of your arrival and departure using the pre-set promotional code or call the Marriott Frenchman's Reef at 1-800-524-2000.
Agenda
Tuesday, January 20
6:00 PM — Early Bird Reception
Sponsored by North West Group
The conference kicks-off with a Keynote Speaker Wednesday morning, but those that arrive on Tuesday can join their MAPPS colleagues at this early bird cocktail reception as we "inaugurate" the winter meeting.
Wednesday, January 21
Continental Breakfast
All registered conference attendees are invited.
General Sessions
Sponsored by Cardinal Systems
8:00 AM — Keynote
Michael T. Jones — Chief Technology Advocate of Google and co-founder of Keyhole, Inc.
Mr. Jones will discuss Google Earth and Google's vision for the future of this program, its role in the geospatial community and the opportunities for other firms.
9:00 AM — New & Hybrid Sensors
A panel of sensor OEMs will provide insight on emerging technologies in various types of imagery and data collection. With rising fuel costs, many current sensors are single task oriented or single mission oriented. Hybrid systems can be flown at the same altitude and conditions as other sensors to save time and expense, and, of course, present new business opportunities.
Moderator:
David Ledgerwood, ACA
Panel:
Kevin Perkins, Applanix
Jim Van Rens, Riegl USA
Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft Vexcel
George Southard, Leica
Klaus Neumann, Intergraph
Erez Shor, Vision Map
Armando Guevara, M7 Visual Intelligence
11:00 AM — Backlog vs. Future Log
Growing Value in Spatial Technology Based Companies: A How-to Guide
Growing and developing a business strategy is a complex task with many "moving parts." Seeding, growing and maturing spatial technology and service companies, and identifying exit strategies, can be an exciting and rewarding process. Even early stage companies can participate in driving a global, geospatial vision if they are strategically focused and properly funded. In this presentation, Martin Sendyk, CEO of Ambercore/Terrapoint, will provide insight on how this is possible in the geospatial world which has been described as highly fragmented and often haunted by ghosts of the past!
Morning Spouse Activity – Tai Chi
Following the Keynote session all registered spouses and guests are invited to participate in an introduction to Tai Chi. The ancient art of Tai Chi uses gentle flowing movements to reduce the stress of today's busy lifestyles and improve health.
Networking Activity
Snorkeling Adventure
Sponsored by Intergraph
Enjoy an afternoon of relaxing fellowship as we experience the underwater terrain, scenery and warm waters that St. Thomas has to offer.
Snorkeling Catamarans
Dancing Dolphin Sponsored by HAS Images & Eastman Kodak Company
Heavenly Days Sponsored by 3001, Inc.
Bamboushay Sponsored by Photo Science Inc.
Thursday, January 22
General Sessions
Sponsored by GeoCue Corporation
8:00 AM — A SWOT Analysis of the Geospatial Profession
What are the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of the geospatial profession? What initiatives can be implemented by MAPPS and individual firms to maximize the growth potential of the community and the market? Kass Green, Kass Green & Associates and John Palatiello, MAPPS Executive Director will lead an interactive brain-storming session.
9:00 AM — Best Practices in Spatial Data Licensing
This session will share experiences, identify best practices, understand different business models, identify issues, and explore desirable actions on licensing of spatial data. Additionally, it will help firms in the fee for service business model better understand the licensing model, as well as discuss issues from the 2004 National Academy report, Licensing Geographic Data and Services.
Kevin Pomfret, CantorArkema, P.C.
Garth Lawrence, Intermap Technologies
Brant Howard, CompassData, Inc.
John Welter, Northwest Group
10:00 AM — Government Programs: Past, Present and Future
The NOAA Coastal Services Center awarded the Coastal Geospatial Services Contract in 2005 and NGA awarded its Global Geospatial Intelligence contracts in 2003. These contracts are multiple award, IDIQ FAR Part 36 contracts providing a variety of geospatial services. Nicholas "Miki" Schmidt of NOAA and Jeffrey Goebel of NGA will discuss lessons learned from the process and explore potential improvements. Imagery for the Nation (IFTN) is a national digital orthophoto program proposal that has been endorsed by the Secretary of the Interior. Vicki Lukas, Chief of the USGS's National Geospatial Programs, Partnerships and External Coordination, will provide an update on the program, explaining progress with its development, what IFTN will look like, when it might be launched, what issues are associated with it and how these issues are being resolved.
11:00 AM — Benchmarking the Remote Sensing Market
The ASPRS/NASA-CRSP remote sensing market forecast, begun in August of 1999, produced a 10-year market projection. How accurate was the outlook? Where is the market today compared to the report's findings? Dr. Shawana Johnson, Global Marketing Insights and Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft Vexcel Imaging, will take a current look at where the report was on and off the mark.
Morning Spouse Activity — Cooking Demonstration
Learn how to make authentic Caribbean appetizers from the Marriott Frenchmen's Reef chef. All registered spouses and guests are invited to attend.
Networking Activity
Caribbean Beach Party
Sponsored by Optech Incorporated
The Marriott Frenchmen's Reef boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Enjoy an afternoon of fun in the sun with your MAPPS colleagues with a variety of watercrafts and beach activities.
Activities
Jet Ski Sponsored by AERO-GRAPHICS
HOBIE Sail Boat Sponsored by Mapping Resource Group
Paddle Boats Sponsored by Aerial Surveys International
Kayaks Sponsored by Michael Baker Jr, Inc.
Friday, January 23
General Sessions
Sponsored by Cardinal Systems
8:00 AM — Parcels for America
The subprime mortgage crisis has heightened awareness of the need for a national parcel system in the United States. Professor Ian Williamson, University of Melbourne and former FIG Commission 7 (Cadastre and Land Management) told a recent conference the current recession gripping the US could have been avoided if the US had a better land administration system. MAPPS has called for the US Government to convene a summit of stakeholders to look at a parcel system as a means of managing the current crisis and preventing others in the future. Learn about the parcels market and where it is going, implementation of the National Academy of Sciences report on "National Land Parcel Data: A Vision for the Future", and how the current crisis might stimulate an opportunity for geospatial firms.
Susan Marlow, Smart Data Strategies, chair of MAPPS Cadastre Task Force
David Nale, eMap Int, consultant to First American First American Spatial Solutions
Don Buhler, Chief Cadastral Surveyor, Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Dr. David Cowen, Chairman, National Academy of Sciences panel on "National Land Parcel Data: A Vision for the Future"
9:00 AM — Licensure of the Geospatial Professional — A Debate
There is no consensus in the geospatial community on the issue of licensing individual practitioners. Should there be licensing at all, or if so, how and by whom? Is state licensing reasonable, is a liaise fare (no licensing) approach better, or is a national license a viable alternative? This debate is part of the process of developing a consensus in the membership and the community. It will air the issue, educate members of our community, and explore a workable solution. In this a classic Oxford-style "debate two teams will debate the proposition "State Licensing is Necessary and Desirable for Photogrammetrists and Other Geospatial Practitioners".
Moderator: G. Michael Ritchie, PE, LS, Photo Science, Inc.
Pro
Jeff Lovin, Woolpert
Pat Olson, Aero-Metric, Inc.
Pam Nobles, 3DS
Con
Richard McDonald, Geospatial Corporation
Mark Brooks, Optimal Geomatics
Craig Molander, SURDEX
11:00 AM — Public Private Partnership Memberships in MAPPS?: A Town Hall Meeting
The MAPPS Board of Directors is contemplating a proposed change in the membership structure that would permit universities, government agencies, non-profit organizations or individuals not otherwise qualified to be members of MAPPS under our current bylaws to join the association. Would this change strengthen MAPPS by facilitating partnerships between private, for-profit firms and other geospatial organizations, or would this weaken MAPPS traditional focus? The board would like to hear the members' views on the issue before considering a bylaws change for membership approval. Attend this session and voice your views. Additional material will be sent to all members prior to the conference so you can consider the issues and formulate your opinion.
MAPPS Golf Scramble
Sponsored by BAE Systems
MAPPS Poolside Banquet
Sponsored by Microsoft
Rather than a formal banquet our farewell dinner is a poolside buffet. Dress is resort causal.
Eat, drink and dance the night away.
Saturday, January 24
General Sessions
Sponsored by Riegl USA
8:00 AM — An Economic Outlook of, by, and for the Geospatial Community
In early January, MAPPS will be conducting a special economic survey of the membership. In this poll, we will ask each member firm to report on whether their revenues are increasing or declining, and whether they foresee growth or a down-turn in the geospatial market in the coming months. In this session, Dr. Steven Cox, Professor of Marketing at McColl School of Business, Queens College, in Charlotte, NC will report on the results of the survey and provide an opportunity for MAPPS member firm principals to benchmark their own experience and assessment with those of the larger MAPPS community.
9:00 AM — Why Outsiders Succeed and Insiders Fail
Have you noticed how many sea-change advancements in the geospatial market come from firms and organizations from outside this community of practice? While geospatial firms are quick adapters to technology, why are we adapters instead of innovators? Why is it that outsiders often succeed where insiders fail? And is there anything we can do to change that? This stimulating and provocative session will investigate a phenomenon that has baffled many in the community.
Eric Andelin, Aerial Data Service, Inc.
David Nale, eMap Int.
Lewis Graham, GeoCue Corp.
10:00 AM — A Legislative Agenda
A new Congress and Administration are taking office. What legislation will Congress consider? How will this impact the geospatial community? What issues can MAPPS affect? A discussion will be facilitated by MAPPS President Elect and Legislative Affairs Committee Chairman Silas Suazo (Bohannan Huston, Inc.) and MAPPS Government Affairs Manager John Byrd.
11:00 AM Adjourn
Additional 2009 Winter Conference Sponsors
MAPPS Daily Conference Newsletter
Sponsored by Aerial Data Service
MAPPS Office and Internet Café
Sponsored by Wilson & Company
MAPPS Conference Contributors
Aero-Metric, Inc.
Woolpert, Inc.
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