URISA and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) are pleased to announce the feature speakers at the 2011 URISA/NENA Addressing Conference taking place next month in New Orleans (August 15-18, 2011 at the Marriott New Orleans). Michelle Thompson, PhD from the University of New Orleans will open the conference and Steven Johnson, representing OpenStreetMap US, will close the conference.

Don’t miss the only annual conference where GIS professionals, addressing coordinators, 9-1-1 and emergency response specialists come together for education and networking.

Three preconference workshops will be presented on August 15:

• Transition to Next Generation 9-1-1
• Addresses: Key to GIS Success
• Introduction to 9-1-1 Database

The conference is organized into these program tracks:

• Integrating Addresses Across the Enterprise
• Looking Ahead: Next Generation 9-1-1 Standards and Practices
• It's All About Data: Address Data Quality and Exchange

…with important sessions including:

• The Address Standard in Action: The FGDC has approved the United States Thoroughfare, Landmark and Postal Address Data Standard. So what's in it and what does it mean for you? This session will offer insights.
• Preparing YOUR Data for NG9-1-1: Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) depends on aggregating local GIS data into a single virtual databases to be used for civic address location validation and routing the 9-1-1 call to the proper Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). GIS becomes the core database for NG9-1-1, and the addressing and location data it contains must be accurate, current, and maintained.
• Addressing at the State Level: Challenges in Aggregation and Standards:Addressing has always been a local matter. But recent developments have caused the states and even federal governments to become interested in acquiring and managing address data. The Broadband projects, collection of ad-valorem vehicle taxes, and state-level emergency management initiatives require statewide address data.

An Ignite (Lightning Talk) session and reception and a joint NSGIC/URISA/NENA roundtable on NG9-1-1 will also be featured. Register early (especially for preconference workshops/courses) as classroom size is limited for each. The discounted room rate at the Marriott New Orleans is available through July 29. Book your room right away.

For complete conference details, visit http://www.urisa.org/addressing/2011neworleans