CGIA 2009-2010 Board Member Election Ballot Online

CGIA has posted its 2009-2010 Board Member election ballot online at http://arcims.gis.uckac.edu/cgia/Election.aspx. Vote today!

JULY 2009 ESRI CONFERENCES & SUMMITS IN SAN DIEGO, CA

ESRI Education User Conference: Explore the Power of Spatial Thinking
July 11-14, 2009, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, San Diego, CA
Take part in this exceptional forum for collaboration between educators, administrators, researchers, librarians, and museum professionals with all levels of geographic information system (GIS) experience.

ESRI Homeland Security GIS Summit: A Framework for Mission-Critical Decision Making
July 11-14, 2009, Marriott Hotel & Marina, San Diego, CA
As mission requirements become more complex—with resources limited and public expectations high—now more than ever is the time to attend the summit and learn how to meet the mission and bridge these challenges with GIS technology.

ESRI Survey & Engineering GIS Summit: Building New Opportunities
July 11-14, 2009, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
You'll see how to enhance your core business practices and expand your capabilities with the technology that's shaping the future of geospatial data management and analysis.

ESRI Business GIS Summit: Where Business Gains the Geographic Advantage
July 12-15, 2009, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
The summit is now linked with the 2009 ESRI International User Conference (ESRI UC). This combination provides an unprecedented opportunity to learn how GIS addresses today’s business challenges. If you’re interested in business GIS as a manager, executive, or user, there’s no better event to attend.

ESRI International User Conference: GIS - Designing Our Future
July 13-17, 2009, San Diego, CA

Join ESRI users from around the globe on July 13–17, 2009, at the San Diego Convention Center in California, for the world's largest gathering of GIS professionals. Connect with the GIS community, take innovative ideas back to work, and learn new ways to leverage your GIS investments. Conference features include:

• 275+ technical workshops presented by ESRI technical staff
• 600+ user presentations on GIS challenges and successes
• Map posters and special displays by users from more than 110 countries
• 300+ business partners offering state-of-the-art solutions and services
• 100+ special interest, regional, and user group meetings for peer collaboration

All users of ESRI technology are invited to be part of this conference. For more information or to register, visit the ESRI International User Conference website.

Office of the State CIO releases California GIS Task Force report
Visualizing California: A Strategy for Enhanced Decision-Making Tools
for Public Policy Makers and the Public

Begun in mid-2008 and finalized in February 2009, the recommendations contained in this report are designed to help California develop a statewide strategy to employ GIS technology for:

• Environmental protection
• Natural resource management
• Traffic flow
• Emergency preparedness and response
• Land use planning
• Health and human services

View full report (PDF)

L.A. County Maps Existing & Potential Solar Power Systems

Los Angeles County has created a solar map of its jurisdiction so that officials and residents can now check the solar potential or government rooftops and view all solar photovoltaic installations in the area, including residential, commercial, and government buildings. The map also shows solar installations by ZIP code.

CalGIS 2009: April 6-9 in Sacramento

CGIA attended the 15th annual CalGIS conference, April 6-9, 2009 in Sacramento.  CGIA's activities included:

• CGIA Board Meeting, April 6 from 1-3 p.m.
• CGIA Awards will be given out on April 9 at the closing lunch
  Read more about the CGIA Awards

Stay tuned for a recap of CalGIS 2009!

State CIO Appoints Geospatial Information Officer to Coordinate California's Digital Mapping Efforts

To coordinate California’s digital mapping efforts, State CIO Teri Takai today announced the appointment of Michael Byrne, 39, as the first Geospatial Information Officer (GIO) for the State of California.   The new position is expected to result in the elimination of duplicative efforts and save costs as the State increases the use of Geospatial data to better serve Californians.

“Establishing this position is a critical step in implementing a statewide strategy to more efficiently use Geospatial data throughout state and local governments,” said Takai.  “There is a tremendous value in coordinating our resources so that we can share data and work toward more common systems to improve health, public safety, emergency preparedness, environmental protection and other services for the people of California. I am pleased to have Michael serve on our team in the Office of the Chief Information Officer.”

The GIO will be responsible for ensuring that the State of California receives the benefits associated with Geospatial data, specifically, increased data access and sharing; reduced duplication and costs; development of technology standards; centers of expertise; public outreach; and increased collaboration in state and local governments.

The establishment of the GIO was a chief recommendation of the GIS Task Force called for last year by Governor Schwarzenegger to develop a statewide strategy to enhance the technology for environmental protection, natural resource management, traffic flow, emergency preparedness and response, land use planning and health and human services.  The Task Force subsequently issued a report to the Governor last fall.

To more effectively oversee information technology in state government, the Governor signed SB 90 in August of 2007 to establish the Office of the State Chief Information Officer as a cabinet-level agency with statutory authority over information technology policy. The Office establishes and enforces information technology strategic plans, policies, standards and enterprise architecture, as well as approves information technology projects for all state departments.

Cal-Atlas Clearinghouse Website Launched

Sacramento - Natural Resources Agency Secretary Mike Chrisman and State Chief Information Officer Teri Takai have announced the launch of a new website (http://atlas.ca.gov) to help government agencies better coordinate their geospatial efforts and allow public access to geospatial data.  The innovative approach to technology, called the Cal-Atlas Geospatial Clearinghouse, will allow the general public to access maps, data and information that has not previously been accessible on a single site or from a single source.