A few snippets from the annual conference and technology exhibition in Nashville.

More than 1,450 attendees kicked up their heels in the spirited city of Nashville, Tenn., from April 16-21 for the 2004 American Congress on Surveying and Mapping Conference and Technology Exhibition co-hosted by the Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors. The host venue offered visitors a boot scootin', knee-slappin', finger-lickin' good time, as well as learning and networking opportunities. More than 70 exhibitors displayed the latest and greatest (and the older, still significant and valuable) technology and instrumentation. Continuing education credits continued to draw attendees to workshops and technology labs. And numerous individuals found themselves in the spotlight as award winners. Here's a snapshot.

NSPS Surveying Excellence Award

Theodore D. Kemna, LS, of Plymouth, Minn., was honored with the NSPS Surveying Excellence Award, proudly sponsored by POB magazine. Kemna has been active in his state's surveying society since 1985 and was honored as its Surveyor of the Year last January. This is but one of several state awards he has received. Kemna has been the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors president, legislative chair, joint professional committee chair and acted on numerous MSPS committees. Kemna also researched and compiled the 365-page MSPS 50th anniversary history book. He is currently semi-retired from Schoell and Madson where he worked for 36 years. Sincere congratulations and thanks go to Mr. Kemna from the staff of POB.

Student Surveying Competition

The third annual student surveying competition was held during the conference. The University of Akron team, "The Rough Riders," winners of the last two years' contests, once again won this year's surveying competition. The group has also been invited to be re-enactors at some of the notable Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Signature events spanning the Lewis & Clark Trail until 2006.

Surveying Sports Competition

"Let 'er out and do 'er up." That was the direction University of Akron, Ohio, student Joel Metzger gave to the Survey Chain Throwing contestants at the annual Surveying Sports Competition held on April 20 at the ACSM-TAPS Conference. Continuing its annual sponsorship, POB magazine supported the seventh annual game of chain throwing and coordinated a first place prize with Allen Precision Equipment of a $300 gift certificate. Honors went to Ferris State University student Paul Heintz of Gladwin, Mich., who won out over the other contestants with a time of 46 seconds, which is the same recorded time as last year's winner. Runners-up Marvin Myers of Ferris State University and Marian Clark, PhD, of East Tennessee State University, clocked in at 49 and 51 seconds, respectively. Both received a POB hat and T-shirt.

To view various session papers presented at the conference, and to view the 2004 scholarship recipients, click to www.acsm.net.