Welcome to this week's edition of the POB eNews ...

I see a lot of press releases in an average day. Some are newsworthy--announcing a new hire or promotion, perhaps, or the start of a new project. Others read more like a laundry list of general capabilities, and some aren't even relevant to our areas of coverage. (For instance, aren't you excited that there's a new brand of fruit-flavored water? I didn't think so.) Regardless of the theme, the goal of such correspondence is the same: publicity. Marketing-savvy firms understand that getting multiple mentions in various channels can boost their company's brand and image.

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The May issue is online!

This month, POB gets down to business. Our cover story, Professional Perspectives, features POB's exclusive research study on salary levels and benefits, developed in partnership with Clear Seas Research, which provides key insights into how surveying and mapping professionals are faring in today's challenging economy and what the future may hold.

Then get some tips in identifying and pursuing effective marketing strategies that can position your firm for success in Smart Marketing in a Down Economy.  Charging Ahead  will plug you into the numerous opportunities available for surveying and remote sensing technologies in the development of cleaner and alternative energy sources. Once you've landed the job, Limiting Your Liability will help you assess whether the limitation of liability clause in your contract will actually stand up in court. Our Web exclusive features include two conference recaps by Kristi Grahl and Joe Paiva: Preparing for Change on the ASPRS 2009 Annual Conference and Imaging the Future on SPAR 2009.

And don't miss out on what our expert columnists have to say. This month, we feature thought provoking and insightful columns by Milton Denny, Joe Paiva , Jeff Lucas and Wes Crawford.

Plus, you are invited to add your comments to the two product reviews featured this month: Topcon Positioning Systems' GRS-1 and MicroSurvey's FieldGenius 2008.

The 2008 Surveying & Mapping Industry Software and Equipment CLEAReports indicate fewer plans to purchase CAD and data collector software, data collector controllers, tripods, and robotic total stations in 2009.

Learn more about future purchase intentions, highly desired brands, and software/equipment trends by contacting Sima Patel at patels@clearseasresearch.com or 248.786.1626.

What marketing tool does your firm find most effective?

• Print advertisements in phone books and local newspapers
• Direct mail/marketing letters
• E-marketing through online list management services
• Web sites and online advertising
• Personal networking and referrals

Take a moment to vote at www.pobonline.com.  

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Construction Surveying and Layout is a unique instructional textbook designed for land surveyors and construction professionals. This hardback text contains over 700 pages of step-by-step information and over 1,000 detailed illustrations to help you perform construction surveys and layouts successfully. Learn solid techniques that have been proven in the field.  This book will make you a better construction surveyor and also assist you in making the next step into the office side of construction operations. 

CLICK HERE to purchase or for more details.  10% OFF - at Check Out enter COUPON CODE POB0409 (sale ends May15th).  Visit  AECstore.com to help increase your knowledge, skills and profits!  Call 248-244-1275 with any questions. 

Obituaries: William E. Strange Jr. William E. Strange Jr., 75, of Tuscawilla Hills in Charles Town, died Sunday, May 10, 2009, at the Winchester Medical Center. Mr. Strange retired after 30-plus years as a geophysicist/geodesist, and he was chief of the National Geodetic Survey. Read the tributes from RPLS.com posters.

New surveying program approved
OA Online- Odessa College trustees unanimously approved the curriculum for a new surveying program.

Harker Heights home built on wrong piece of land
News 8 Austin- Building a home is a big part of the American dream, but sometimes things don't pan out, especially what that dream home is built on the wrong piece of property.

To read the latest Surveying in the Headlines, click here.

Dewberry/Merrick Team Provides Remote Sensing LiDAR and Ground Surveying in Florida Dewberry, in association with Merrick & Company, has been retained by the St. Johns River Water Management District to provide topographic data collection and processing for the Central Florida Coordination Area Surface Elevation Dataset project.

CERTAINTY 3D Announces New Management
Ted Knaak, who has been president of Riegl USA for 17 years, has assumed the role of President and CEO of Certainty 3D.

Riegl USA Announces Organizational Changes
Ted Knaak is now Chief Technical Officer of Riegl USA. Jim van Rens having served as vice president since 1997, will become Riegl USA's new president.

Space Available At TSPS Educators' Retreat
Registration for the 3rd Annual High School Educators' Retreat for Surveying, Mapping & Geospatial Awareness June 16-18, 2009 on the campus of Lone Star College-Montgomery is still open.

2009 ESRI Survey & Engineering GIS Summit to Provide Tools for Increasing Business with GIS
The summit is the ideal venue for anyone in the surveying and engineering industries interested in or currently working with GIS.

Hemisphere GPS Climbs Ranks in Branham 300 List
With revenue growth of 35 per cent, Hemisphere GPS moved up 17 positions from last year to be ranked as 52nd among the Canadian Information Technology (IT) elite.

CLICK for more Industry News.

DeLorme Extends PN-40 GPS to ESRI Users
ESRI users will be able to view their ArcMap projects on the PN-40 GPS receiver's bright-color screen. Collected waypoints and tracks can then be presented to ArcMap in a shapefile format.

Disaster Response Sessions Provide New Business Opportunities

The just-announced seminar program for the National Disaster Reconstruction (NDR) Expo & Conference offers business-expanding options for contractors, consultants, distributors and facility service providers. The event, co-sponsored by Imago Trade Shows and BNP Media, takes place June 17-18 in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

The NDR Expo & Conference features 75 exhibitors and more than 30 sessions covering a range of disaster-related topics, including prevention, remediation, restoration, and rebuilding. Session topics include:

• FEMA's Change in Direction Under New Leadership: What This Means for Private Disaster Contractors
• How Disaster Response Professionals Can Secure Government Contracts
• Opportunities for Contractors in the Gulf Coast Rebuilding Efforts
• After the Disaster - Incompetence and Fraud: The Importance of Using Experts
• Facilitating Economic Recovery: Enhancing Insurance Cash Flow
• The Disaster Experience
• Satellite Communications Throughout the Four Stages of Emergency Management

To register or get information on the NDR Expo & Conference, visit www.ndrexpo.com, call 770-645-0046, or email jumouton@imagotradeshows.com.

Joke of the Week: Lessons My Mother Taught

1. My Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION...
   "Just wait until your father gets home."
2. My Mother taught me about RECEIVING...
   "You are going to get it when we get home!"
3. My Mother taught me to MEET A CHALLENGE...
   "What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you! Don't talk back to me!"
4. Click for more motherly advice.

Problem of the Week: Surveying Astronomy Problems: Astronomical Coordinate Systems

The spherical triangle known as the PZS triangle has sides that are segments of three great circles. Which two of those great circles intersect at the star?

A. the prime vertical and the celestial equator
B. the hour circle and the horizon
C. the equinoctial colure and the celestial equator
D. the hour circle and the vertical circle

CLICK to access the rest of this week's Fun & Games.