August 9, 2010 (Des Plaines, IL) - URISA is pleased to announce Stan Meiburg as the opening keynote speaker at GIS-Pro 2010 in Orlando. Stan Meiburg is the Acting Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 in Atlanta, Georgia. In his keynote address, “From Environmental Information to Environmental Action: Challenges in Using GIS for Environmental Protection,” Mr. Meiburg will discuss the barriers to the use of GIS applications in setting environmental policy and producing environmental improvement. These barriers include integrating technical tools, data quality, laws and regulations, unclear policy objectives, and political will. They can be overcome with patient, persistent, professional leadership and collaborative efforts, but they pose significant challenges which go beyond simply refining GIS applications.

Danielle Ayan, GISP, GIS-Pro 2010 Conference Chair offers that “U.S. EPA Region 4 has experienced tremendous activity over the past several years, including the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and other pollution challenges, mountaintop mining, climate change and green living, to name a few. While these activities are not necessarily unique to EPA Region 4, it is impressive how EPA Region 4, under Mr. Meiburg’s direction, is leveraging the geospatial approach for managing and addressing them.”

Mr. Meiburg will deliver his keynote address on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at GIS-Pro 2010: URISA’s 48th Annual Conference for GIS Professionals in Orlando. For more information, visit www.gis-pro.org.