November 18 Events for All Ages: Virtual Geography Night, Map Your Maine, and Geospatial Technologies Leaders Discuss Careers and the Industry’s Future
Orono, Maine — The Maine Geospatial Institute (MGI) of the University of Maine System will celebrate World GIS Day on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. MGI will celebrate innovative applications and thought leadership in the field of geospatial technology by inviting the community to participate in three socially-distant ways:
- “Map Your Maine,” a state-wide collaborative online mapping project that invites participants to share their favorite photos of places in Maine (October 29 – November 17, with everyone’s results revealed on the MGI website November 18). There will be prizes! Participants may learn more and join the project on the MGI website: https://www.maine.edu/students/maine-geospatial-institute/
- A virtual Geography Trivia Night for all ages (November 18 at 7:30 p.m., check-in required at 7:15 p.m.; pre-registration required.) There will be prizes! Register on the MGI website: https://www.maine.edu/students/maine-geospatial-institute/
- “Navigating Your Geospatial Future,” a virtual discussion with Maine geospatial technologies leaders, discussing careers and the future of the industry (November 18 at 6 p.m.). Register to participate on the MGI website: https://www.maine.edu/students/maine-geospatial-institute/.
Moderated by Dr. Matthew Bampton, professor of geography for the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine, the informal discussion will feature special guests Judy Colby-George, Patrick Cunningham, and Saranya Kesavan.
Colby-George is principal at Spatial Alternatives and TJD&A: Landscape Architects & Planners in Yarmouth, Maine. She has more than thirty years of experience on a wide variety of GIS projects, specializing in using GIS for planning, public participation, and municipal, and environmental applications.
Cunningham is CEO and president of Blue Marble Geographics of Hallowell and Brunswick, Maine. He leads a team of software developers and GIS professionals creating GIS software for a worldwide customer base doing everything from surveying to mapping the path for the Mars Rover to creating virtual worlds for gaming or mobile apps for playing golf or GIS data collection.
Kesavan is currently pursuing a PhD in Spatial Information Science & Engineering, with around 11 years of experience in the GIS industry playing a variety of roles from a product engineer to a solution engineer at ESRI. Her specialties include product testing, concept modeling, user experience research, and photography.
Registration is required for November 18’s events.
Anyone under the age of 18 is encouraged to participate with the assistance of an adult.
GIS Day was first observed in 1999 by Jack Dangermond, the founder and president of ESRI, a leader in mapping software. GIS Day shows how geography and the real-world applications of mapping software are making a difference in business, government and society. It’s a chance for everyone to discover how we all use geospatial technologies, every day.
Maine’s celebration is hosted by the Maine Geospatial Institute, a collaboration of the seven campuses of the University of Maine to serve as a central resource to advance geospatial technology initiatives. MGI unites the geospatial technologies community – scientists, researchers, students, educators, industry leaders, and other key partners – to work together in recognition that economic growth, workforce development, education, and research can all be strengthened through partnership.
MGI joins hundreds of organizations worldwide in hosting gatherings to celebrate the impactful work of GIS professionals and serve to ignite the imagination of the future innovators who will further advance global progress using GIS.
For more information on how MGI is innovating through the application of GIS, visit https://www.maine.edu/students/maine-geospatial-institute/
###
About the Maine Geospatial Institute
Launched in 2018, MGI is a University of Maine System central resource to advance geospatial technology initiatives among the System’s seven campuses statewide, with faculty and subject matter experts representing programs and projects in disciplines including but not limited to natural resource management, historic preservation, rural health, climate resilience and more. MGI Project Centers facilitate collaborations among scientists, researchers, students, educators, industry leaders and other key partners, and also provide the framework for educational support through workshops and webinars.
Visit us at https://www.maine.edu/students/maine-geospatial-institute/
About the University of Maine System
Established in 1968, the University of Maine System is the state’s largest educational enterprise. It has an annual enrollment of nearly 30,000 students and positively impacts the lives of hundreds of thousands of Mainers each year through its educational and cultural offerings as well as outreach and public service to individuals, businesses, organizations and policymakers. The System has an estimated $1.5 billion total statewide economy impact each year, a return of $7.50 for every dollar of State appropriation. Two-thirds of its alumni—approximately 120,000 people—live in Maine. The University of Maine System is accessible with seven universities—some with multiple campuses—located across the state, as well as a law school, an additional 31 course sites, and Cooperative Extension. Learn more at https://www.maine.edu.
About Blue Marble Geographics
Based in Hallowell and Brunswick, Maine, Blue Marble Geographics is a GIS and geodetic software company that provides cutting-edge yet accessible products designed for both novice and experienced geospatial professionals. For nearly three decades, the company’s products have been used and trusted by organizations around the globe – including government agencies, universities, and Fortune 500 companies.. For more information, visit https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/
About Spatial Alternatives
Based in Yarmouth, Maine, Spatial Alternatives is a leader in GIS technology applications serving clients – including municipalities – in community planning, public participation, environmental assessment and management, and dispute resolution. For more information, visit http://www.spatialalternatives.com
About ESRI
ESRI is a market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping. Founded in 1969, Esri software is deployed in more than 350,000 organizations including 90 of the Fortune 100 companies, all 50 state governments, more than half of all counties (large and small), and 87 of the Forbes Top 100 Colleges in the U.S., as well as all 15 Executive Departments of the U.S. Government and dozens of independent agencies. For more information, visit esri.com.