EIGS To Exhibit at Premier OCEANS ‘09 Conference
EIGS and several of its member companies are looking forward to attending and exhibiting at the upcoming OCEANS Conference being held this year in Biloxi, MS, October 26-29, 2009 at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center. EIGS member companies Michael Baker, Jr., EMC, NVision Solutions, and Diamond Data Systems will be exhibiting with EIGS (Booth#238). Additionally, we encourage you to look for member companies 3001, Inc. (Booth #113) and QinetiQ North America (Booth #318). The OCEANS Conferences is the premier conference for the Marine Technology Society (MTS) and Institute of Electrical and the Electronic Engineers’ Oceanic Engineering Society (IEEE).
The OCEANS conference has been held annually in the U.S. jointly by the IEEE and the MTS since 1988, specializing in the fields of Marine Technology, Ocean Sciences and Oceanic Engineering. The IEEE decided to start offering the OCEANS conference not only in the USA every year, but also in Europe and Asia in alternate years. With past OCEANS’ conferences having been held thought the world, Quebec; Kobe, Japan; Singapore; Boston and Washington just to name a few, this year’s conference will feature the traditional topics presented at all OCEANS conferences, as well as topics of local interest selected by the organizing committee.
Laurie Jugan, OCEANS09 co-chair organizing committee states, “Although OCEANS '09 is advertised as a premier event for marine science professionals, there are other industries that directly support any marine industry. Of special note in our area, remote sensing and GIS are key to much of the work performed at Stennis and in the surrounding area. Key research and operational data generated in our area is often integrated into a GIS to help convey messages to decision makers. In these cases, data is just data unless it is associated with a location - and GIS does that for the marine industry. As for remote sensing, our area supports key initiatives both in government and the commercial sector that employ remote sensing data to solve traditional and emerging issues. These are tools that help the marine industry get their message across in a visual, and often more understandable, manner.”
OCEANS ’09 Biloxi will be hosted by two honorary chairmen. From industry, Charles Zang of Science Applications International Corporation will serve as the Honorary Co-Chair. From the government, Rear Admiral David Titley of the Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command will serve as Co-Chair. With these prominent organizations leading the way, OCEANS ’09 promises to be a conference to remember. The Biloxi venue is located within driving distance of numerous Federal and state agencies, large marine technology companies, innovative small businesses, and business development organizations.
For the professional, the traditional OCEANS topics have been augmented with four topics of local interest: Coastal Restoration, Ocean Observing Systems, Operational Oceanography, and Lessons Learned from Gulf of Mexico Storms. The plenary session, as well as keynote speakers in each local topic area, will present new directions for marine science and technology on national and local levels.
New programs and events have been added to enhance the attendees’ experience. For students in the marine field, OCEANS ’09 created a new patron opportunity to allow more posters in the conference competition. The “Sponsor-A-Student” patron opportunity allows organizations to donate $2,500 and bring a student selected to participate in the Student Poster Competition to the conference. Traditionally, a grant from the Office of Naval Research covers expenses for between 20 and 25 students; the OCEANS ’09 goal is to increase that number to at least 30. Interested organizations can obtain information on “Sponsor-A-Student and other patron opportunities at www.oceans09mtsieeebiloxi.org.
Another new program for OCEANS ’09 is a High School Outreach Program. Students from area schools will be treated to an e-mission created by NASA’s Challenger Centers. The selected e-mission, Operation Montserrat, features an erupting volcano and a category 3 hurricane plaguing the small Caribbean island. Students use simulated satellite data to create information that is used to evacuate all island residents to safety. During the second half of the day, student will help create an artificial reef that will be deployed in the Gulf of Mexico and named after the conference. As such, the reef will be marked on navigation charts and students will be able to fish the reef in the future.
The Career Fair, also new to OCEANS this year, will allow for any exhibitor at the OCEANS ’09 conference to have a second table-top booth at the Career Fair at no cost. The idea is to attract as many companies, local agencies, and other entities interested in expanding their employee base of marine technology professionals. Available and/or upcoming positions will be posted. Individuals seeking employment with these organizations will be able to submit resumes. MTS will match job postings with potential candidates and point candidates to organizational booths at the Fair. Additional space will be available for private interviews. The Fair will be held the Monday prior to the conference (October 26) at the host hotel, the Beau Rivage.
Finally, OCEANS ’09 will feature the Educators’ Professional Development Program, which will bring local teachers to Stennis Space Center to inform them about local issues in the Gulf of Mexico and train them in the use of tools they can use in the classroom. Teachers will receive Continuing Education Credits for their participation and may even win an ROV-in-a-bag to bring back to their classroom. The ROVs’ are one of the in-classroom tools to be demonstrated during the program, as will online tools created by the American Meteorological Society. Finally, teachers will tour the Center for Higher Learning Visualization Center and experience 3D models of a storm inundation model and the new Infinity Science and Technology Center opening in 2010. The Educators’ Professional Development Program will be held on Saturday, October 24th, 8 am until 4 pm.
Admission to The Exhibition Hall is free, however registration is required. Full conference registration includes access to all technical presentations and exhibition hall, all conference events, a conference bag, and proceedings CD. Single day packages and student rates are available. Early bird registration runs through August 31, 2009. Information on patron opportunities, registration, exhibiting, and conference events can be found by visiting www.oceans09mtsieeebiloxi.org or contacting info@oceans09mtsieeebiloxi.org.
In last month’s Sensor, we asked you who you primarily collaborated with on geospatial projects and products. Here’s what you had to say-
Did you know that Sears invested $4 million dollars on building a GIS system? This system saved them over $43 million dollars a year as a result of automating their trucks for delivery.
[ Visit the website. ]
Opening the world of GIS to Kids
Later this month, kids all across the nation and the globe will be heading back to school. The following are a list of resources available designed with kids in mind to open their imaginations to the world of GIS.
http://www.gis4kids.com
http://www.kidzmap.com
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com
Congressional Report on GIS
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) published a report in June entitled “Geospatial Information and Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Current Issues and Future Challenges” that provides an overview and discussion on GIS, and, in particular, how the federal geospatial entities such as the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) play a role in the coordination of spatial data at the various federal, state and local agency levels. Prepared for members of Congress, the report provides a primer on GIS with examples of the use of GIS, an overview of the NSDI and FGDC, and analysis of why data sharing among the various government levels in important. The report concludes with a discussion on the establishment of a national GIS.
View the pdf report
National Geologic Map Database — Data Portal
Developed by the Association of American State Geologists (AASG) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the National Geologic Map Database (NGMD) is a data portal designed to provide a mapped overview of geologic spatial data and to provide a pointer to users on the source data. For more information, visit their website.
SOURCE: National Geologic Map Database
Readers Choose Most Influential Geospatial Person
Directions Magazine recently conducted a poll of their readers, asking who they believe are, and will be, the most influential people in the geospatial industry over the next five years. The choices were compiled from a list of nominees selected by their readers and editors.
GITA Gulf South Chapter Revitalization
Scott Trapolino, Delta State University GIS Recruiter and Lauralee Gann, GIS Technician with Mendrop~Wages, LLC have volunteered to lead an effort to revitalize the Geospatial Information and Technology Association (GITA) Gulf South chapter.
The first step in this process is to assess the level of interest on the part of geospatial professionals in supporting the local chapter
of GITA in the Gulf South area. There are lots of opportunities to take part in this chapter reorganization process and you are
encouraged to voice your level of interest and support by answering these questions and sending comments to Lauralee Gann at
lgann@mendropwages.com:
- Would you participate in chapter events within the greater Mississippi and Louisiana area?
- If not located in or around the city, would you travel to Jackson or Vicksburg, MS for those events?
- Would you be interested in taking on a leadership role in the chapter and possibly participating on other GITA committees in an effort to further the objectives of GITA to promote the use of geospatial technology as it relates to infrastructure?
- If none of these options are of interest, would it be helpful for you to participate in a webinar or conference call to learn more about the direction GITA is going and the value a local chapter brings?
The House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources of the U.S. House of Representatives with jurisdiction over the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and its management of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) held an oversight hearing on "Federal Geospatial Data Management,” on July 23, 2009. The following is an excerpt of the opening statement delivered by Chairman Jim Costa:
"This is the first time that I have had the opportunity to chair a hearing on this important topic, and, to the best of my knowledge, the first Congressional hearing directly on geospatial issues since 2004. While five years might not seem like a huge gap, when it comes to technology it is a lifetime. Five years ago, GoogleMaps and GoogleEarth did not exist, nor did iPhones. Today, Americans take it as a given that they should be able to get instantaneous driving directions across a city, state, or the entire country, or, if they have a GPS-enabled device, they should be able to find out the location of the nearest restaurant or gas station. Most people probably could not explain what “geospatial” means, but they know what it does, and it has become an increasing part of our everyday lives"
To read more statements, visit http://goandtrack.com/statements-from-oversight-hearing-on-federal-geospatial-data-management-7.html
"SMALL BUSINESS CERTIFICATIONS" Workshop
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW: This workshop will answer the following questions: What does it mean to be “certified”? Do I qualify? Why do I need to be certified?
Who requires which certifications? How do I become certified? What is a Certificate of Responsibility and how do I get one?
This workshop will provide detailed information on the various certifications for use in pursuing federal, state, gaming, and corporate contracting opportunities.
Processes for certification will be reviewed and benefits for certification will be discussed.
Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Mississippi Development Authority, Mississippi Department of Transportation, Mississippi Board of Contractors, and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council South will be present to discuss the different certifications.
Date:
November 10, 2009
11:45 am – 12:00 pm check-in
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm workshop
Location:
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
720 Krebs Avenue
Pascagoula, MS 39568
MDA Invites Mississippi Businesses to Take Part in Business Development Mission to Chile and Peru
MDA will lead a business development mission to Chile and Peru on September 27-October 2, 2009, to provide opportunities for Mississippi businesses to expand trade and create business relationships in the two markets. According to MDA Executive Director, Gray Swoope, Chile and Peru are two dynamic and growing markets for Mississippi businesses, and Mississippi exports to Chile and Peru increased 56% and 67% respectively last year. The U.S. maintains free trade agreements with both countries. By joining the MDA delegation, Mississippi businesses can take advantage of administrative support from MDA before, during, and after the mission. The deadline to register has been extended until Friday, August 7. MDA urges any Mississippi businesses interested in expanding trade and creating business relationships in these two markets to register for this unique event. MDA will provide administrative support before, during and after the event by scheduling appointments with buyers, distributors, agents and brokers, providing a detailed mission guide and customized itineraries, logistical coordination (including local transportation assistance) and language interpretation services.
For more information, contact Rose Boxx, MDA’s Latin American Trade Specialist via email at rboxx@mississippi.org.
EIGS IN THE NEWS
DigitalGlobe Launches Crisis Event Service
GISCafe
July 15, 2009 – Longmont, Colo.– Digital Globe,a leading global provider of commercial high-resolution earth imagery products and services, today announced its Crisis Event Service, a new web service providing timely and accurate pre- and post-event satellite imagery to aid in emergency planning, response and recovery…
[Visit the website]
SIS INTRODUCES ACCURACY ANALYST
Mississippi Business Journal
July 28, 2009 - Starkville, MS- Accuracy Analyst, the first software solution to determine locational accuracy of the image data used to produce maps, is now available from Spatial Information Solutions Inc. (SIS). The user-friendly interface is resulting in productive use of the software after only 30 minutes of training. This software saves 80 percent of the time needed for traditional accuracy...
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JSU Professor Reveals Secrets of Seagrass
SunHerald.com
July 8, 2009 – Moss Point, MS– Out in Grand Bay, where the water is murky gray and calf high, a university biologist is leading a team of researchers on an underwater crawl to learn how seagrass grows. In the marsh two miles south of the dock at the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, between the Alabama state line and Pascagoula’s Chevron Refinery…
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Accuracy Analyst™ Software from SIS Answers “Is Newer Data Always Better?”
SunHerald.com
July 28, 2009 – Starkville, MS– Accuracy Analyst™ from Spatial Information Solutions, Inc. (SIS), the first software solution to determine locational accuracy of the image data used to produce maps, is generating excitement in the user community. The recent demonstration at the Mississippi Automated Resource Information System (MARIS) led one user to note that Accuracy Analyst™ will enable him to determine whether the latest and highest-resolution data available is actually the best data…For more information, …
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GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
SOUTH AFRICA: Remote sensing coming of age
IRIN, Africa
The use of remote sensing and satellite imaging looks set to become more widespread in South Africa as sustainable agriculture and natural resource management become more urgent in the face of climate change…
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Malaysia's Remote Sensing Satellite To Be Launched Next Month
People's Daily Online - Beijing,China
A Malaysian remote sensing satellite named RazakSAT has been launched from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands in the western Pacific Ocean,...
[Visit the website]
Nigeria, Russia MOU will boost space science.
NEXT - Lagos,Lagos State,Nigeria
The National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) says the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Nigeria and Russia on exploration of outer space will foster the cooperation of both countries for peaceful purposes.
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