WGL-ASPRS Indiana "Spotlight Series" Event Recap

The Western Great Lakes region of the ASPRS (WGL-ASPRS)sponsored a “Spotlight Series” event in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 23^rd at the Rathskeller restaurant in downtown Indianapolis. WGL-ASPRS Indiana State Director Frank Taylor, CP, Program Manager in the Indianapolis office of Continental Mapping Consultants organized the event. 

Meeting topics included Indiana State licensure status, state-of-the art discussion on aerial digital camera sensors and applications, and organizational briefs of the participating members. The group was small, the agenda loose, and the atmosphere informal  – which was viewed as a positive by those attending. Representatives from state government, large and small geospatial companies attended. We even had one representative from the Eastern Great lakes region – making this a Joint conference! The attendees agreed to  meet again next year in a similar setting.

About the WGL-ASPRS Spotlight Series

The Western Great lakes region of the ASPRS covers a large geographic area: Minnesota, Wisconsin, the UP of Michigan, northern Illinois and Northern Indiana. The large area has made it difficult to attract members to events. The twin Cities area has traditionally had the largest concentration of members, and therefore the most active participation in events – which for the most part have taken place in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. 

The Spotlight Series was developed to host smaller events throughout the region, to gain participation from our members who rarely or never attend our events. These meetings will rotate through the region on a quarterly basis, and provide networking, education, and outreach themes. 

Upcoming Spotlight Series events are planned for Madison, WI on October 14, 2011, and May 2011 in Eau Claire, WI. Other events in Illinois and the UP will follow next year. Additionally, our annual dinner is planned for February 2, 2012 at the Machine Shed restaurant in Lake Elmo, MN. Information for all of these events will be posted as soon as it is available.

New graduate program at Michigan Tech: M.Sc. in Integrated Geospatial Technology

Congrats to the faculty and staff and Michigan Technological University on the establishment of a new degree in Integrated Geospatial Technology.  Check out their Website: http://www.tech.mtu.edu/MS_IGT/index.html

The Master's Degree in Integrated Geospatial Technology is designed for students from a variety of backgrounds for careers in surveying, photogrammetry, remote sensing, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), terrestrial laser scanning industries, and for allied areas that require knowledge and understanding of the acquisition, processing, and analysis of spatially referenced data.

Golf Event a Roaring Success!

Golfers and fellow hackers,

On behalf of all of us with the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) - Western Great Lakes Region, THANKS to all of you who were able to attend and help make this year's annual MN/WI Area golf outing another success. It’s always fun to meet and catch up with old and new acquaintances alike. The usual great accommodations, food, company and cooperation from mother-nature, made for another enjoyable and relaxing afternoon at the ‘ol links. Our overall attendance was up from last year, and we sure hope to see you all again next year. Our goal every year is to continue to grow the event, so please share next year’s invite with your friends and colleagues.

It goes without saying that the excitement and overall success of this event would be minimal at best if it weren’t for the generosity of our Corporate Sponsors. With the current economic conditions we’re all aware of, it becomes increasingly difficult for our Sponsors to make commitments of any sort. We truly appreciate and want to give special THANKS to the following Corporate Sponsors for everything you do for us:

AEROMETRIC, INC. - Welcome bags and prize donations
MARTINEZ CORP. - Cash donation
AYRES ASSOC. - Prize donations
CONTINENTAL MAPPING – Cash donation
ESRI – Prize donations
MASTER GRAPHICS - Prize donations
SURVEY SERVICES, INC. - Cash and prize donations
BRIAN HUBERTY - Cash and prize donations
KILKARNEY HILLS GOLF – Event coordination and accommodations

THANKS also to the following for assisting me with this year’s event:
Dave Gorg, Pete Jenkins, Dave Hart and Brian Huberty

Congratulations to:
Team Survey Services – 2011 Champions
Team AeroMetric and Team DOT Good Life – 2011 Runner-up’s

Mark your calendars for next year - tentatively set up again at Kilkarney Hills - Sept. 7, 2012 (the usual Friday following Labor Day)

Hope to see you all there again next year!

THANKS AGAIN,

Miles Strain