MoreAurora, Colo., April 3, 2006-The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) has developed Annual Conference 29 programming for GITA Cheetahs, a group of young geospatial professionals in the 20 to 35 age range. The conference is slated for April 23-26, 2006, at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida.
Programs will include a special Cheetah session titled 10 Things I Wish I had Known, an exclusive evening social event, and two Birds of a Feather breakfast sessions.
"It's very important for young geospatial professionals to get involved in GITA early on, and we hope the extra Cheetah activities at annual conference will provide a means for them build a strong network of industry colleagues to help advance their careers," said Bob Samborski, GITA Executive Director.
During the 10 Things I Wish I had Known session, three experienced industry professionals-Pat Drinnan of FortisAlberta, John Middlestead of DTE Energy Gas MichCon, and Cynthia Salas of CenterPoint Energy-will each share a list of what they have learned throughout their careers. The session will take place Tuesday, April 25.
Young professionals can get to know each other during several hours of food, fun, and entertainment at a social on the evening of Sunday, April 25. They will also have a chance to talk informally with seasoned industry experts during Birds of a Feather breakfast sessions on Tuesday, April 25 and Wednesday, April 26. For more information on the Cheetah program, e-mail Sara Kolaja at skolaja@gita.org, or visit her at the GITA membership booth during the conference.
The conference will also feature 70 technical paper presentations, panel discussions, user forums, nine half-day seminars, networking socials, a job fair, a poster session, and a 100,000-square-foot product and services exhibition.
Online registration is now open. Registration fees start at $379. Exhibits-only passes are $25. Full details about the conference are available at the GITA Web site, located at www.gita.org, or by contacting GITA headquarters at 303-337-0513; e-mail info@gita.org.
