Energy companies use geography to target drill sites. State and local governments use it to plan everything from tax maps and emergency evacuation plans to skateboarding parks and apartment complexes.
Even your favorite big-box retailers are in on the game these days, tracking customers to target their marketing campaigns and to create distribution networks.
This summer, geographers, government and industry leaders, and the general public can experience the far-reaching uses of geography and new technologies at the2008 West Virginia Geographic Information Systems (GIS) ConferenceJune 9-12 at the Holiday Inn Charleston House, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, in Charleston. The event,Mapping the Mountain State: Today and Tomorrow,is organized by theWest Virginia Association of Geospatial Professionals.
The conference will address geospatial issues as they relate to a broad range of topics, including homeland security, natural resources, economic development, recreation, land-use planning and energy development. It is free and open to the public all day Monday, June 9, and from 1:30-5 p.m. Tuesday, June 10. Events June 11-12 are open to registered participants.
TheWest Virginia State Geographic Information Systems Technical Center, housed in theDepartment of Geology and Geographyin theEberly College of Arts and Sciencesat WVU , will be among the conference exhibitors.
Additionally, representatives from several other WVU -affiliated entities will participate, including theAppalachian Hardwood Center, a jointly supported center of the WVU Extension ServiceandDavis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciencesat WVU ; theNatural Resource Analysis Center, a multidisciplinary research and teaching facility housed in the Davis College; and theWest Virginia Water Research Institutelocated at theNational Research Center for Coal and Energyat WVU .
Notable conference speakers include Cy Smith, Oregon GIS coordinator and president of the National States Geographic Information Council, who will present the keynote address at noon Tuesday, June 10. Smith will also moderate a free, public session at 1:30 p.m. on digital tax maps. Smith is responsible for statewide coordination of all geographic information activities in Oregons state agencies, academic institutions and regional and local governments.
Using geography to plan and make decisions is not new, but geographical work has been enhanced by GIS technology. Geographic information systems integrate computer hardware, software and data for capturing, managing, analyzing and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. If you have used Google Maps for directions or purchased a GPS device for your car, you have experienced GIS technology.
It is fitting that a discussion of the usage and future of GIS technology is taking place here in West Virginia,said Kurt Donaldson, West Virginia Association of Geospatial Professionals president and program leader in WVU s Department of Geology and Geography.
We are very proud of the diversity and ability of the West Virginia geospatial community,he said.They do great work. For example, the community has provided some of the best quality, highest resolution elevation data in the world to Google Maps. The topographical mapping of West Virginia that they have done is unparalleled in excellence.
A broad range of federal agencies will be represented at the conference, including the FBI , Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. West Virginia state agencies involved in the event include the Department of Agriculture, Army National Guard, Department of Tax and Revenue and the Division of Natural Resources, among others.
The West Virginia GIS Conference is a great networking opportunity for geographic information systems professionals, as well as anyone interested in learning more about the benefits and power of GIS technology,said Katherine Kapo, West Virginia GIS coordinator.Professionals will have the opportunity to come together to share the accomplishments, innovations and exciting opportunities related to geospatial activities in West Virginia and around the nation.
TheWest Virginia Association of Geospatial Professionalsis a nonprofit organization. Members are involved in digital cartography, geographic information systems, GPS , land information systems, remote sensing and other related geospatial technologies. They include representatives from local, state and federal agencies, educational and research institutions, the private sector and other professional organizations.
Corporate sponsors of the conference include NiSource Gas Transmission&Storage, Photo Science, BAE Systems and ESRI . For a complete list of activities or to register, go to http://www.wvagp.org/conference . Registrations will be accepted until June 9. For more information, contact Donaldson at 304-293-9467 or kurt.donaldson@mail.wvu.edu .