Credit: (NASA Earth Observatory)
Billions of people will see London through many different filters and lenses during the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. None of those views will look quite like this one from the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite.
The image above shows London and the southern half of Great Britain as it appeared on the night of March 27, 2012. While most of the events in the 2012 Olympics will be held in the greater London area, several other cities and towns will host events, including: canoeing at Lee Valley White Water Center; sailing in Portland Harbour; rowing and canoeing at Eton Dorney; and cycling and mountain bike events at Hadleigh Farm. For more information,
www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov
Items of Interest
USGIF Opens Nomination Period for Annual Awards Program
Virtual-Strategy Magazine
The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) is accepting nominations for its annual awards program. The USGIF Awards Program recognizes the exceptional work of the geospatial intelligence
For more information, www.virtual-strategy.com.
Hinds CC to train students to fly unmanned aerial vehicles
Mississippi Business Journal
Hinds Community College says in August it will begin training students interested in piloting unmanned aerial vehicles. The two-year school said in a news release that it is offering the courses because there's an expected increase in demand in the civilian market for the aircraft. One source says that over the next 10 years UAV spending worldwide could top $94 billion. For more information, www.msbusiness.com
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Teachers learn to use GPS in the classroom
Laurel Outlook
Teachers across Montana can learn about GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) at a free workshop set for Friday, Aug. 10, at Montana State University in Bozeman. Teachers who are selected for the program will
For more information,
www.laureloutlook.com
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Mississippi Ranked Fifth-fastest Growing State for Overall Gross Exports by U.S. Chamber of Commerce Study
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released its third edition of the study Enterprising States: Policies that Produce in June. The study looks at what states are doing to grow the economy by investing in the future and creating jobs, specifically in the areas of exports and international trade, entrepreneurship and innovation, taxes and regulation, talent cultivation – or the "talent pipeline" – and infrastructure, given the impact these policy areas can have on job growth and economic prosperity.
The study ranked Mississippi among the top-10-performing export states, as determined by export intensity, growth in export intensity, changes in each state's share of total national exports and growth in overall gross exports since 2002. Mississippi ranked as the fifth-fastest growing state for overall gross exports and for growth in exports as a share of gross state product.
To read more on the study or to download Enterprising States: Policies that Produce, visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website www.uschamber.com.
Did you know the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation is accepting nominations for its annual awards program? The USGIF Awards Program recognizes the exceptional work or achievement in the field of geospatial intelligence. This covers the government, military, industry and sectors and also academic and research endeavors. Anyone involved with the geospatial intelligence community may apply or nominate someone or a team for an award. Applications can be downloaded from the GEOINT 2012 Symposium website. The deadline for awards nominations is 5 p.m. EST Friday, August 17. For more information,
defensesystems.com
EIGS IN THE NEWS
Mentor-Protégé program Builds Partnerships
Pathfinder
CSC paired with NVision, a small, disadvantaged business program participant and women-owned company, to provide guidance and direction under the program.
"We recognize the tremendous effort put forth by NVision over the years and the knowledge they bring to bear," said Bong Gumahad, vice president of CSC's national intelligence operations. "They continually exemplified the dedication and professionalism we seek in all protégé companies and we are excited about our future endeavors as a team."
NVision is a subcontractor on NGA's Global Geospatial Intelligence contract, providing geographic information services that support warfighter needs. Specifically, NVision provides the warfighter feature extraction for mapping systems (mapping intelligence) and two-dimensional and 3-D image extraction that helps warfighters maneuver in theater.
"Our work to support NGA's challenging mission has pushed us to be innovative with the technology we create and use as well as how we manage and run our business," said NVision President Socorro Harvey. "We look forward to a continued relationship with both NGA and our mentor CSC." For more information,
www1.nga.mil/MediaRoom
GeoEye, DigitalGlobe agree to $900 million merger
Washington Post
Herndon-based GeoEye plans to combine with competitor DigitalGlobe in a deal worth $900 million, the firms said Monday, following the federal government's move to reduce funding for their most lucrative contract. Both companies capture photos and other
For more information,
www.washingtonpost.com
Up to $300 million cyber job awarded
Rome Sentinel
According to www.infosecurity-magazine.com, the companies winning the contract were AIS, Global InfoTek of Virginia, Radiance Technologies of Alabama,
For more information,
www.romesentinel.com
Baker Appoints Christopher Gesing National Director of NEPA
MarketWatch
Michael Baker Jr., Inc., a unit of Michael Baker Corporation (nyse mkt:BKR), has appointed Christopher G. Gesing to national director of NEPA Services for Rail and Transit (R&T). In this position, Gesing will provide leadership in all aspects of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and environmental services for Baker's R&T practice nationwide.
Gesing has over 30 years of transportation industry planning, engineering and environmental compliance experience and is known nationally for leading large, complex NEPA studies. Projects under his direction have been recognized as landmark efforts in environmental streamlining and models by which other projects should be developed. Gesing is currently leading the engineering, environmental studies, and preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement to upgrade the New Orleans Rail Gateway (NORG) and infrastructure in Louisiana. For more information,
www.marketwatch.com
Global Perspectives
Australian utility companies told GIS adoption will be vital
Surveyequipment.com
Geospatial surveying and positioning equipment will be crucial to developing the Australian utilities structure, according to a leading expert from geospatial information services (GIS) software company, Esri. For more information,
www.surveyequipment.com
Palike turns a new leaf, to use GIS to map trees
Deccan Herald
Having faced constant criticism for felling trees, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has now decided to explore the idea of 'tree mapping' using the Geographic Information System (GIS) system that has been mapping the properties in the City
For more information,
www.deccanherald.com
GIS Training Opportunity for Latin America Applicants
UN-SPIDER
The Societal Impacts Committee of the GSDI Association will provide a free training opportunity for up to three candidates from Latin America to attend the ICLPST (International Center for Land Policy Studies and Training) training Seminar on
For more information,
www.un-spider.org
EIGS Perspective (Full text)
Can you give our readers a little bit of history concerning the EIGS Annual Meeting?
Harvey: For as long as I can remember
and I've been involved with Mississippi's geospatial cluster way back into the days when it initially started as the Mississippi Space Commerce Initiative
so for more than 15 years now, Mississippi's geospatial companies have gathered to gain knowledge, increase collaborative opportunities, voice their opinions, and participate in what is always a very dynamic meeting. MBA feels it is very important to continue to provide this well-established and very successful benefit to EIGS members.
The Sensor: Give us an idea of what attendees can expect to gain from this year's Annual Meeting?
Harvey: First of all, we've got a stellar line up of guest speakers from the local, state, and national stage including: Skip Scaggs, Director of Global Investment & Retention Division Director for the Mississippi Development Authority; Fred Sullivan from Congressman Steven Palazzo's office; and Michael Liu from DUTKO Grayling, a multidisciplinary, global government affairs, public relations and management consulting firm will be on hand to discuss legislative trends impacting the industry
In addition, the Small Business Administration will be on hand to discuss the Small Jobs Act legislation that you can leverage in teaming agreements with big business. We will also be unveiling a new market study commissioned specifically for EIGS members. Last, but certainly not least, attendees will be given the opportunity to frame the role of EIGS to better meet their needs and expectations. We will utilize wireless keypad technology so that they can register their views and opinions on everything from marketing the industry cluster to branding/rebranding. Finally, the business mixer or social immediately following the meeting offers an opportunity to collaborate with fellow EIGS members in a casual environment without the demands and stresses of the day-to-day routine.
The Sensor: What else can attendees expect?
Harvey: We planned the EIGS Annual Meeting in conjunction with the Annual MBA Golf Tournament, the Magnolia Corporate Cup 2012, at the Bridges Golf Course in Bay St. Louis. The Magnolia Corporate Cup features both team and individual events and includes a skills challenge beginning at 10a.m. and an 18-hole golf tournament following a lunch provided by the Hollywood Casino. A networking event will take place on Saturday at 6p.m. for all registered golfers and a guest. The reception will take place at The Bridges Clubhouse and will kick off with the awarding of tournament prizes followed by entertainment, drinks and hors d'oeuvres.
The Sensor: Why do you think this kind of event is important to companies in the growing EIGS cluster?
Harvey: Beyond the invaluable insider tips and business information that are disseminated at this meeting, it is hard to put a value on the dynamic interactions that take place among the attendees that have led to major collaborations and projects. You simply cannot overestimate the importance of collegial gatherings such as these. Another benefit for this gathering is to share business concerns and exchange technical ideas and innovations. From an organizational aspect, this event is one of the most critical for EIGS since it provides the members with a venue to voice their opinions and provide input for the future of the program. It is one of the most effective ways to ensure that EIGS continues to be responsive to the needs of its members.
The EIGS Annual Meeting will be held Friday, August 3, 2012 at the Imperial Palace in Biloxi, MS. If you would like additional information or would like to register to attend, please visit:
www.magnolia-ba.biz