La Crosse, Wisconsin, December 4, 2015 — A first of its kind geospatial event is being announced for the Upper Midwest. Several GIS organizations from the region are coming together to plan a GIS conference that spans borders and encourages collaboration and collective learning. The Upper Midwest Geospatial Conference, UMGEOCON, will take place at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, May 25-26, 2016.
The aim of the event is to bring together mid-level, career-minded GIS professionals who are interested in broadening their GIS knowledge and community. Exploring emerging trends and technologies, as well as cooperative peer-to-peer learning will be the program focus.
With a combined current membership of greater than 2,500 GIS professionals, the organizations that have come together to create UMGEOCON are the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing – Western Great Lakes Region, Geospatial Information and Technology Association, Iowa Geographic Information Council, Minnesota GIS/LIS Consortium, SharedGeo, and Wisconsin Land Information Association. Importantly, this level of organizational collaboration supports advancement of the NSDI, related objectives of DHS, EPA, FGDC, HIFLD, NGAC, NSF, NSGIC, USGS, and other national and regional geospatial programs.
In parallel with this press release, the event planning committee today also issued a call for cutting-edge presentation and workshops. Abstracts will be accepted through January 18, 2016 and can be submitted online at the conference’s website.
Information about sponsorship and vendor opportunities will be released next week.
To find out more about the conference visit: www.umgeocon.org.
About ASPRS-WGLR:
The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing – Western Great Lakes Region (ASPRS-WGLR) is comprised of public, private, and academic professionals dedicated to the advancement of the geospatial imaging sciences. ASPRS-WGLR is one of sixteen regions nationwide and consists of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Indiana, and northern Illinois. There are currently five universities with ASPRS student chapters in the Western Great Lakes Region: Indiana State University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Minnesota, and Michigan Technological University. www.wgl.asprs.org
About GITA:
The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) is a member-led nonprofit professional education association and leading advocate for anyone using geospatial technology to help operate, maintain, and protect North America’s infrastructure. Through industry leading conferences, research initiatives, chapters, and outreach programs, GITA provides ongoing learning and engagement opportunities for its members. www.gita.org
About IGIC:
The Iowa Geographic Information Council (IGIC) is a member driven nonprofit organization that works to foster an efficient GIS environment through cooperation and coordination with public and private entities that access, collect, provide, and share data, metadata, applications and educational opportunities. www.iowagic.org
About MN GIS/LIS:
The Minnesota GIS/LIS Consortium (MN GIS/LIS) is a collaborative, volunteer-based organization with a long standing and dedicated mission to develop and support the GIS professional in Minnesota for the benefit of its state and citizens. www.mngislis.org
About SharedGeo:
SharedGeo is a nonprofit dedicated to helping government, nonprofit, education, and corporate entities use mapping technologies and share geographic data for the public good. Past and current project partners include federal, state, tribal, county and municipal entities. www.sharedgeo.org
About WLIA:
Founded in 1987, the Wisconsin Land Information Association (WLIA) is a grassroots organization representing a collection of concerned professionals working to develop, maintain, and apply a network of statewide land information systems. Its members are united by an interest in land records modernization, GIS, and related technologies, and by the need for government policies and programs that support their efficient and effective application. WLIA is a registered 501(c)(6) non-profit organization, and is open to individual, non-profit and corporate members. www.wlia.org.
