Kevin Mickey, Director of Geospatial Technology Education for the Polis Center, will present the opening plenary for the annual Indiana Geographic Information Council (IGIC) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Conference on Tuesday, May 10, the theme of which is “Geospatial Preparedness.”

Kevin’s presentation, “Disaster Resilience and the Role of the Geospatial Community,” addresses current trends and activities occurring nationally and at the state and regional level that are directed toward making communities more resilient to disasters.  It emphasizes how GIS data, tools, and practices are used to support that goal and how the Indiana GIS community is well-positioned not only to apply the best practices of others but also to play a leadership role in this area.

Conference sessions cover a range of geospatial topics that help forge collaboration to better share information and explore challenges and ways in which geospatial preparedness can support emergency planning, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts to help build a more resilient Indiana.

IGIC–a nonprofit membership organization of GIS users and individuals from all levels of government, private industry, and educational institutions–is recognized as the official statewide coordinating body for the Indiana GIS. Its mission is to advance the use of geospatial data and GIS software and support public safety, emergency management, and geospatial practitioners by taking the lead in providing education, policy guidance, and other location-enabled technology resources.