The American Surveyor

NOAA’s Admiral Lautenbacher to Speak at Second MAPPS Washington Policy Forum, February 9

Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.), Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator will be the featured speaker at the second convening of the MAPPS Washington Policy Forum on Thursday, February 9.

The Forum will be a luncheon at 12:00 noon on Thursday, February 9 at the City Club at Franklin Square, 1300 I St NW Washington, DC (McPherson Square Metro Station (Blue and Orange Lines).

Under Admiral Lautenbacher’s leadership, NOAA has become an important partner, policy agency and client to MAPPS member firms.  In recent years, NOAA’s National Ocean Service has launched several geospatial programs that utilize the private sector via the qualifications based selection process – both top policy objectives of MAPPS.  These programs include the hydrographic survey, bathymetric LIDAR and shoreline mapping programs, as well as the coastal remote sensing program managed by NOAA’s Coastal Services Center in Charleston, SC.  NOAA also oversees the Hydrographic Services Improvement Panel, a Federal Advisory Committee, with which MAPPS has worked closely and on which MAPPS members serve.  NOAA is also the parent of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES), which provides information, advice, and recommendations on matters relating to the U.S. satellite commercial remote sensing community. NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service is currently sponsoring a remote sensing market study in aerial and spaceborne technologies.

“There is a full agenda of issues in NOAA that are of significant importance to MAPPS member firms.  This is a timely opportunity for MAPPS members to hear from Admiral Lautenbacher and to exchange views, said MAPPS Executive Director John Palatiello.

The MAPPS Washington Policy Forum is designed to bring together MAPPS member firm personnel from Washington offices for marketing and business development; those engaged government relations; firms based in or with offices in the Washington, DC area; lobbyists and others consultants of MAPPS member firms in Washington, DC; and MAPPS member firm principals and senior executives who are otherwise in the Nation’s Capital on other business. 

The Forum provides another of MAPPS recognized networking opportunities, as well as an opportunity to hear and meet a major policy figure, and create more coordination of MAPPS member firms lobbying activities.

At the inaugural forum on December 8, 2005, Col. Brian Cullis, USAF, Special Assistant to the Deputy Under Secretary for Installations and Environment for Geospatial Information Policy and Executive Manager of the Defense Installation Spatial Data Infrastructure discussed "Geo-Enabling the DoD Business Enterprise".  His briefing highlighted the new attention being given to the role of geospatial information resources and spatial technologies in achieving the goals of the Business Modernization Management Program for the Department of Defense, including the role and structure of the Defense Installation Spatial Data Infrastructure in geo-enabling key defense business processes. 

The Forum is for MAPPS member firms only and seating is limited.  MAPPS is the only U.S. trade and professional association of private geospatial firms.  Former in 1982, MAPPS has more than 150 private sector firms from all aspects of the geospatial profession.  Its member firms are in the mapping, spatial data and geographic information systems field engaged in mapping, photogrammetry, satellite and airborne remote sensing, aerial photography, hydrography, aerial and satellite image processing, GPS and GIS data collection, integration and conversion services.   For information, including membership application and registration for the February 9 luncheon, visit the association’s website at www.mapps.org.

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