MAPPS holds its annual Summer Meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, July 16-20, 2005 at the Grove Park Inn. MAPPS members from across the United States and Canada will gather to focus on the future of the geospatial profession. Principals, owners, partners and senior executives in leading geospatial firms will attend educational sessions, share information, and network as well as build teams and strategic partnerships throughout the Conference.
General Sessions will focus on the future of the profession through a variety of forums. Of the many sessions, registrants will attend The Next Generation of Geospatial Professions: Training Entry-Level Workers for Geospatial Careers presented by Chad Ray of Central Piedmont Community College; Training Future Leaders: Online and Distance Learning with Pamela Lawhead, PhD, of the University of Mississippi; Replanting and Reinvesting in Ownership by Brian Burnett of Bohannan-Huston, Inc.; The Next Generation of Digital Airborne Sensors involves a panel of data producers and end-user clients offering perspectives on the future of sensors. Through the Looking Glass will outline the future of the geospatial market by market analysts.
The Conference’s informational sessions include What’s Happening in Congress that Affects MAPPS Membership with MAPPS Executive Director John Palatiello; a panel that will discuss Where are We in Licensing of Photogrammetrists including Mike Ritchie of Photo Science and MAPPS Licensing Committee Chair along with Stan Ponce of the USGS and NCEES Deputy Executive Director Jerry Carter; and How to Read and Interpret Your Financial Statements presented with a magical touch by Bob Mark of Air-Land Surveys. Finally, MAPPS members will vote for new board members and attend to other issues during their Annual Business Meeting.
The MAPPS conference is family and kid-friendly. Social events include an evening at the Biltmore Estate Winery and a candlelight tour of the Mansion, whitewater rafting, a golf scramble, and an optional trip to the reknown outdoor theater production of Unto These Hills: The Story of the Cherokee Indians.
MAPPS offers special thanks to Conference sponsors: BAE Systems, DigitalGlobe, Optech, Orbimage, Photo Science, and Vexcel.
The conference is open to both MAPPS members and non-members, with significant rate reductions for members. For information on membership and the conference, visit MAPPS at www.mapps.org.