Wendy Nelson's blog

So pleased to introduce an improved URISA publication, THE GIS PROFESSIONAL!

This replaces URISA News, which has been a mainstay of URISA for decades. Hopefully, the publication will prove to be a valuable benefit of membership while offering members ample opportunity to contribute articles and content, a great way to earn GISCI Contributions to the Profession points...

The latest issue of THE SUMMIT, the comprehensive newsletter from the Washington State Chapter of URISA, has just been posted. Take some time to learn about the chapter and their many activities: http://www.waurisa.org/thesummit/

Have you heard about the new name of URISA's Annual Conference? Pleased to announce GIS-Pro 2010: URISA's 48th Annual Conference for GIS Professionals.

The Board, Conference Committee, and URISA staff are pretty excited about the new name. It is much more descriptive and helps with other branding efforts. Much more information to come in the months ahead. In the meantime, check out the GIS-Pro details and start making plans to participate and attend.

http://www.urisa.org/conferences/aboutgis-pro

Through my connections with the Caribbean GIS Community, I've found out that Haiti's GIS Centre was devastated and some staff members did not survive. Our thoughts and prayers are with our Haitian friends.

I readily admit that nominating your system for an Exemplary Systems in Government Award takes some thought and effort. Before you dismiss the idea, consider the benefits of participating. This year, we asked recent winners to let us know what effect the recognition had on their professional lives. Check out some of their responses and consider it for 2010.

URISA and the National Emergency Number Association are accepting abstract submissions for the 2010 URISA/NENA Addressing Conference. The conference—for GIS professionals, addressing coordinators, 9-1-1 and emergency response specialists —will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, August 16-18, 2010.

URISA Grants a One Year Complimentary Membership to All New GISPs

Congrats to URISA's Oregon & SW Washington Chapter on the launch of their new website!

Check it out: www.orurisa.org

Just another example of URISA volunteers contributing to their profession!

Already in this short new year, URISA committees have been working on everything from workshop development and publications to awards and conference planning.

Their continued commitment amazes me. There are probably 200 members who actively participate in URISA committees and hundreds more who actively participate as leaders at the chapter level.

URISA is very lucky...

Really excited about the debut of 'The GIS Professional' this month. URISA News, our longtime newsletter, has undergone a facelift for the new year and will now be known as '"THE GIS PROFESSIONAL".

We have a couple of new volunteer editors to cover trends, hot technology topics and case studies. And we'll be moving to an electronic format for members who wish to receive the publication electronically.

Very exciting change on the way!