REGISTRATION UNDERWAY FOR SOUTHERN MISS,
NASA GEOSPATIAL CONFERENCE

OCEAN SPRINGS - Early registration deadline is nearing on a University of Southern Mississippi and NASA conference that will offer the latest on cutting-edge geographical information technologies to the Gulf Coast.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Geospatial Conference will be held Oct. 22-24 at the Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi. The event is designed for professionals who deal with coastal and environmental issues and who are Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana resource managers, economic developers, planners or researchers.

The Southern Miss Gulf Coast Geospatial Center and NASA are bringing in national leaders in the geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing field for workshops, panel discussions, training sessions and demonstrations. Other sponsors are The Nature Conservancy and the Mississippi Association for Spatial Technologies.

"Participants will learn how to apply GIS and remote sensing technologies in their professional lives, specifically focusing on problem-solving and coastal management concerns," Ed Pinero, Southern MissGCGC associate director, said. "From beginning to advanced users, there will be sessions for everyone. Participants will experience how other managers and researchers apply these technologies successfully."

Included in sessions are GIS topics, specific strategies for incorporating geospatial technologies into research designed to support coastal management, and innovative geospatial-based undergraduate and graduate programs.

Participants may also register for Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) software training.

Early registration deadline is July 1 with a cost of $125. Late registration is $150. Included in the registration are a luncheon with keynote address by Steve Kopp, a leader in developing software for the GIS field; concurrent sessions; exhibitors; poster sessions; and two receptions.

Registration forms and more information are available from www.usm.edu/gcgc, or by contacting GCGC@usm.edu, (228) 818-8856 or FAX (228) 818-8848.

-30-