Tentative Agenda
27th Annual New York State GIS Conference

NYS Geocortex User Group Meeting

Set aside a morning and join fellow Geocortex users, administrators, partners and others for interactive discussion and presentations around Geocortex technology. More information and sign-up details are available by CLICKING HERE.

Smart Phone App Development Workshop - SUNY-ESF Campus FULL
Ever want to know how to develop some of those great smartphone applications everyone’s using?  Come to this workshop, and get a sense for how it’s done. This workshop will provide a general overview of the tools, skills, and registration requirements needed to get smartphone apps published. We’ll discuss the three primary platforms - iOS, Android, and Blackberry, and compare and contrast their various pros and cons. With the explosion of geo-intelligent devices in everyone’s hands, the ability to exploit these tools for customized geocentric information, inventories, and applications is boundless. Whether you’re a developer, or someone who just wants a better understanding of what’s inside that little black box, come learn how you can be part of this tremendous wave.

• Michael Lake, WillowTree Apps

LiDAR Workshop - SUNY-ESF Campus FULL
LiDAR (light detection and ranging) and other acquisition technologies are developing rapidly. The demand for high-quality elevation data has also increased significantly. This workshop will discuss the needs for high-resolution elevation data including an introduction to Lidar data, and examples of Lidar data applications. The participant will have hands-on experience implementing LIDAR data into GIS projects.

• Dave Tewksbury, Hamilton College

ArcGIS and AutoCAD Civil / Map 3D Workshop - O'Brien & Gere FULL
Interoperability Between ArcGIS and AutoCAD Civil 3D / Map 3D (Part 1)
This workshop will demonstrate numerous methods in which users can Leverage GIS Data in CAD and vice versa. Topics include import export, Connecting to and utilizing Feature Sources on the CAD side, and using CAD dwg information on the GIS side. Special attention is made to real world Design and GIS project scenario’s where collaboration between GIS and CAD teams is critical. The intent of this session is to give the participant a clear view of bringing the two worlds together as seamlessly as possible. Classroom machines will be set up for participants to explore on their own.

• Chuck Pietra, O'Brien & Gere
• Joe Segretto, O'Brien & Gere

ArcGIS Tips and Tricks: Increase Efficiency with Optimized Maps (Part 2)
There are many different techniques that can be used to increase the performance of your maps in ArcGIS. Making small changes to the properties of your layers and data frames can have a dramatic effect on performance. Learn techniques to optimize your maps to create a better platform for geographic analysis, and increase your editing productivity.

• Joe Segretto, O'Brien & Gere

Open Source GIS Workshop - SUNY-ESF Campus seats still available
Do you ever feel like innovation in map production and online mapping tools is happening at a rate you can’t keep up with?  Would you like to start learning how to use open source and online technologies but you don't know where to begin? This hands-on workshop will provide the basic skills needed to utilize emerging geospatial tools for creating, analyzing, and publishing geospatial data. We will cover technologies such as MapWindows, Quantum GIS, TileMill and Google Fusion Tables, and other emerging open source technologies. Space is limited so register early and prepare to jump start your geospatial retraining! Attendees must bring their own laptop.

• Dr. John Van Hoesen, Green Mountain College

Dealing with Data: Sources, Structures, and Solutions Seminar - SUNY-ESF Campus seats still available
This four-hour seminar will address the challenges associated with the need to acquire and use geospatial data. The seminar presenters will include representatives from some of the federal and state agencies that distribute data within New York State. Datasets considered will cover a variety of application areas including water, air, soil, elevation, administrative, environmental, and imagery sources. The first part of the seminar will consider the process of obtaining data, will identify what is unique about particular datasets, and will identify some of the challenges and pitfalls associated with using the data including the preprocessing needed to convert tabular data into a spatial form and dealing with projections and datums. The second part of the seminar will demonstrate a variety of applications that highlight the traps, issues and limitations with performing analysis and producing map output.

• Dr. Joe Francis, Cornell University
• Douglas Freehafer, USGS
• Dr. Eric Greenfield, US Forest Service
• Frank Winters, NYS Office of Cyber Security

Keynote Presentation: The Rise of Crowdsourcing

Jeff Howe, Author, Crowdsourcing

Special Spatial Spotlights

LiDAR: What's the Point?

Did you ever wonder what LiDAR is used for? Experienced LiDAR users will tell their tales and woes of what to expect from this high gear technology. Can LiDAR surfaces be improved? What can you expect from the data? Can you integrate LiDAR with other data layers? Three presenters will give you information about their particular projects; perhaps giving you ideas about how to incorporate LiDAR into your daily GIS projects. At the end of the presentations, the panel will entertain questions and discussions about the role of LiDAR today and in the future. This could be your next step into the 3-D world of tomorrow.

• Ron Frederiks, NYS Department of Transportation
• Karen Kwasnowski, GroundPoint Technologies
• Charles Mondello, Pictometry

Get Your Head in the Cloud

Did you ever wonder what’s in the Cloud?  Here is your chance to learn about some different GIS Cloud computing applications that are available to you.  Cloud computing is an efficient way to utilize GIS services without the initial costs for hardware and software in many cases.  Also, it will free you from having to maintain servers and other equipment.   It can also give you more flexibility by allowing you to be more mobile by allowing you access to GIS functionality online.  During this session, presenters from the geospatial community will give their perspectives on the benefits of using the Cloud to publish and share your spatial data.

• Mike Evanoff, Google Earth Enterprise
• Tyson Schallipp, Google Earth Enterprise
• Joseph D. Fargnoli, The RITRE Corporation
• James Higgins, Esri
• Learon Dalby, The Sanborn Map Company

Crisis Response

This session will delve into the use of GIS in emergency response in New York and in neighboring states. The session will start with 45 minutes of presentations by expert panelists that used GIS to respond to the recent flooding in New York and Vermont from Hurricane Irene as well as the response to the other incidents. Panelists will be asked to talk about applications developed, the use of “crowd sourced” data and their recommendations for the most effective use of GIS in meeting the needs of their emergency management communities.

• Glen Aichinger, National Grid
• Dave Brotzman, Vermont Center for Geographic Information
• Dave MacEwan, NYS Department of Transportation
• Jim McConnell, NYC Office of Emergency Management
• Dan O'Brien, NYS Office of Emergency Management
• Mike Praeger, NYS Office of Cyber Security

Think Spatially, Act Locally

Do you want to see how geospatial technology is being used or could be used by local governments?  This is your lucky day!  You will have a chance to see what others are doing with GIS and how it could be replicated possibly within your own organization.    Having the ability to understand different geospatial technologies and how they work together can be the difference in making an informative decision and increasing your efficiencies.

• Kate Burns, YouTown Mobile App
• Butch Conover, City of Rome
• Tyson Edwards, YouTown Mobile App
• Steve Signell, SUNY-ESF Adirondack Ecological Center

Keynote Presentation: The Results of Crowdsourcing

Jeff Howe, Author, Crowdsourcing