FLURISA - Home

Welcome to FLURISA!

I would like to extend to everyone a warm welcome to our new website. We hope you will find it to be valuable asset in continuing your career in GIS. The website is just one of many ideas that the Executive Committee is pursuing over the next few months. The Executive Committee is seeking to grasp a fresh new vision for FLURISA.

As most government entities in the State of Florida are just beginning to feel the pinch of budget cuts, training and travel seem to be the first items on the hit list. FLURISA is building on past efforts to strengthen the training opportunities at regional workshops. We feel it is a priority to support and provide pertinent training to the GIS professionals of Florida. Look for the URISA courses at each of the regional workshops. We will also be attending each of the workshops with hopes of meeting you and telling you more about FLURISA.

As with any professional organization, we are only as strong as our membership. We need fresh innovative ideas. We need willing volunteers that can set aside a small amount of time each month to spread the news. We need you! I believe that FLURISA can play a major role in GIS for the State of Florida. By utilizing the structure that is already in place, we can assist in cooperation, communication and collaboration within the realm of GIS. Please join us!

URISA's 2008 ESIG™ AWARD APPLICATION DEADLINE APPROACHING

April 16, 2008 (Park Ridge, IL) – The application deadline for URISA’s prestigious Exemplary Systems in Government (ESIG) Awards is rapidly approaching. Submissions must be received by May 12, 2008 to be considered. The awards recognize exceptional achievements in the application of information technology that have improved the delivery and quality of government services. Applications may be submitted in two categories, Single Process and Enterprise Systems.

SINGLE PROCESS SYSTEMS - Systems in this category are outstanding and working examples of applying information system technology to automate a specific SINGLE process or operation involving one department or sub-unit of an agency. The system application results in extended and/or improved government services that are more efficient and/or save money.

ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS - Systems in this category are outstanding and working examples of using information systems technology in a multi-department environment as part of an integrated process. These systems exemplify effective use of technology yielding widespread improvements in the process(es) and/or service(s) involved and/or cost savings to the organization.

Applications must be submitted by May 12, 2008. Winners in each category will be recognized at URISA's 46th Annual Conference, October 7-10, 2008 in New Orleans. For more information or to review last year's winning submissions, visit http://www.urisa.org/awards/esig or call (847) 824-6300.

URISA Student Paper Competition Opens

Press InformationScott Grams

URISA Education Director

847-824-6300

F: 847-824-6363

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www.urisa.org

URISA Announces Second Annual Student Paper Competition

February 5, 2008 (Park Ridge, IL) - The Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) is sponsoring its second annual student paper competition. The objective of the competition is to challenge undergraduate and postgraduate students to demonstrate development and effective use of information systems in both their field of study and the community. The competition is open to all eligible students but particularly those interested in careers using geographic information systems, information technology, geospatial technology, planning and/or community development.

The deadline for submissions is June 9, 2008.

URISA will award students cash prizes for best student authored papers. Winners will be recognized at the URISA Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA, October 7-10, 2008.

Prizes:

First Place

$500 cash. Free conference registration and recognition at the URISA Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA, October 7-10, 2008. Paper may be published in the URISA Journal.

Second Place

$300 cash. Free conference registration. Paper may be published in the URISA Journal.

Third Place

$150 cash. Free conference registration. Paper may be published in the URISA Journal.

The following types of papers are encouraged:

1. Comprehensive literature review on a spatial technology and its application.

2. Application of spatial statistics.

3. Application of an implemented spatial technology and its demonstrable impact on a public or private sector organization.

4. Treatment and development of spatial technologies and theory.

Application areas of particular interest to URISA members include, but are not limited to, the following:

Remote sensing

Economic development

Safety or homeland security

Environmental planning and resource management Geographic information systems Infrastructure management Urban land use planning and management

The URISA Student Paper Committee reviews all papers. Winners will be notified in August 2008. Winners will be recognized during the awards ceremony at URISA 2008 in New Orleans, LA.

Only papers meeting the evaluation criteria will be considered. Further information regarding eligibility, submission criteria, prizes, and policies are available on the URISA website at

http://www.urisa.org/student_paper_competition.

URISA promotes the effective and ethical use of spatial information and information technologies for the understanding and management of urban and regional systems.

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New FLURISA Regional Directors