2005 IGIC Conference

Conference Wrap-up

As another season of road construction draws to a conclusion, so too did the 7th Biennial GIS Conference presented by IGIC.  While we did experience a few speed bumps along the way, all in all the conference can be called a success.

IGIC  would like to extend a "Thank You" to all who participated and helped to make the 7th Biennial Conference a success!  No conference of this size would be complete without the assistance of our exhibitors and sponsors . 

Keynote Address
Our keynote address was given by Tony Spicci from the Missouri Department of Conservation and President-Elect of NSGIC.  If there is one theme that was taken away from the keynote it was the concept of partnerships.

Program
The Conference program featured 65 presentations falling into 10 different tracks.  Squeezing the presentations into 7 concurrent sessions over the span of 3 days was a challenge.  Program content was excellent and and varied.  Program presenters, workshop presenters, panel discussion participants are all volunteers.  Remember that for future IGIC Conferences.  IGIC Conferences can only be as successful as the volunteers who come forward to help make this conference a success.  In the weeks following the conference, we will be posting as many of the presentations offered at the Conference in the IGIC Resource Guide for use by the Iowa GIS Community.

Registration
This year's conference saw nearly 250 participants representing all corners of the State and many from out of State.  All IGIC sectors were represented as well as a sizeable crop of students from Universities and Colleges from around the State of Iowa.  Attendance at the workshops was up nearly 50% over 2003 figures.

If you are interested in a digital copy of the list of registered attendees, please email the Conference Chair with that request and arrangements can be made.

Reception
And don't think that the Conference was all work.  IGICians took some time to unwind and kick back in a more relaxed environment at the well-attended and well-received evening reception at Reiman Gardens.  The opening night of the conference held the vendor reception where conference attendees had the opportunity to to meet one-on-one with our excellent roster of exhibitors and sponsors . 

Recognition
Our Wednesday luncheon was both entertaining, informative, and productive as members were treated to a presentation on "The Geography of Taste" by Rich Pirog of the Leopold Center as well a synopsis of recent IGIC activities.  Also at the luncheon, IGIC took some time out to recognize the people who have helped to make IGIC what is today.  Awards were presented to Patrick Brown (Achievement & Contribution in GIS); Barb Berquam (Project Energizer); and Micah Cutler (Networking Award).  Also recognized was Alan Jensen for his five years of service and dedication to the principles and ideals of IGIC.

Poster and map awards were presented to Adam Kiel (Best Poster Displaying a Project or Process); Micah Cutler (Best Map); and Inya Onwu (Best Student Poster).  A big thank you to all of those who participated in the Poster Gallery.

Photos
Take a few moments and browse some of the photos that were taken at the Conference to get a better feel of what went on.

Evaluation
For those of  you who have not had the opportunity to complete your conference evaluation, you can download the form, complete it and return it to the Conference Committee Chairperson.  Please be honest in your assessment and let us know what we can do to improve future IGIC Conferences. Thank you.

The Future
Mark your calendars now!  The next Iowa GIS Conference will be held in April 2007 along the banks of the Missouri River in Sioux City.  See you there!