2009 GIS/CAMA Conference

The International Association of Assessing Officers ( IAAO) and the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association ( URISA) are pleased to announce the 13th Annual GIS/CAMA Technologies Conference, taking place February 8-11, 2009 in Charleston, SC. This year’s conference theme is “Sharing Knowledge: The Affordable Solution to Today’s Challenges.”

"This year's conference promises to bring together GIS and valuation professionals from around the world. Come share your ideas and hear from others how to tackle the challenges and solve the problems unique to the valuation community in these trying times. As you read through the presentations, take note of the emphasis given to the current economic conditions. You can't afford to miss it." - Bill Nelson, Government of the District of Columbia

The conference will open with an important keynote presentation. Former Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer, a member of the National Research Council/Mapping Sciences Committee, will offer his top-executive perspective of what we can do as Property Information professionals to help our local leaders navigate in this rapidly changing economic and political environment. His awareness of the impact of technology and his daily contact with top state and federal officials gives him a unique feel for what can make a difference. Boulder County, CO Commissioner Cindy Domenico will add her experienced perspective to the discussion, followed by a federal banking official who will assess the impact of the current economic crisis and how the assessment and GIS community can contribute to recovery.

The conference committee felt, given the current global economic climate, that a follow-up general session should take place following the keynote presentation. David Hieber and Rob Scripture from Oakland County (MI) and Nancy von Meyer, GISP, from Fairview Industries will deliver an eye-opening presentation:

Forecasting and Accountability: Parcel and Assessment Information in the Post-Bailout Era
Parcel and assessment information together form the basis for an early warning system for the economy. On a national scale, the economic fallout in the Fall of 2008 was predicted in parcel databases across the country 18 to 24 months before the realization hit Wall Street. Learn how these indicators can be recognized and evaluated.

The conference will feature sessions within from three program tracks (Professional Development & Management Strategies, Property Valuation & Modeling Techniques and Technology & Techniques). Sessions have been developed on a variety of important topics like these:

* Current Housing Recession & Value
* Fraud Leads to Foreclosures
* Seeking a Return on Your GIS Investment
* Assessor’s Office of the Future
* How to Deal with Body-Pierced, Tattooed Millennials in Flip Flops

Attendees are also encouraged to take advantage of full-day preconference workshops on February 8:

* Introduction to GIS & Assessment
* Introduction to Valuation & Spatial Analysis
* Field Automation Options for Local Government

As always, the Exhibit Hall is an important feature of the conference, where attendees will try to find ways of doing more with less. IAAO and URISA greatly appreciate the support of the organizations who have participated as exhibitors at the GIS/CAMA Conference throughout the conference’s history.

Continuing Education Credit: IAAO professional designees will earn 7 hours of recertification credit for attendance at a Preconference Workshop and 10 hours for attendance at all sessions of the regular conference program. GISCI Certification points earned for attending one workshop and this conference = .4 GISCI education points.

Complete Details: The detailed conference program, exhibit, registration and travel/hotel information is available online.