--- Begin Forwarded Message ---

Date: Mon, 07 Dec 1998 13:39:02 -0500

From: Kathy Covert <[log in to unmask]>

Subject: 1999 GeoData Forum Request for Input





This message was  originally submitted by [log in to unmask] to  the MAPS-L list

at UGA.CC.UGA.EDU.  If you  simply forward it  back to the  list, using  a mail

command that generates "Resent-" fields (ask your local user support or consult

the documentation of your mail program if in doubt), it will be distributed and

the explanations you  are now reading will be removed  automatically. If on the

other hand you edit the contributions you  receive into a digest, you will have

to remove this  paragraph manually. Finally, you should be  able to contact the

author  of this  message by  using  the normal  "reply" function  of your  mail

program.



----------------- Message requiring your approval (57 lines) ------------------

To:          Listserve subscribers (apologies to subcribers to multiple lists)

From:	Kathy Covert, FGDC

RE:	Request for Input, 1999 GeoData Forum



Save the Date and Help Us with Your Suggestions!



The 1999 National GeoData Forum will be held June 7 - 9, 1999 in Washington, D.C.



The FGDC seeks your ideas and suggestions for this event, the third in a series 

including forums in 1993 and 1995. It is five years since the Executive Order that 

formally launched extensive development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure. 

Now is the time to bring together users, creators and commercial players in the 

various realms of geographic information, to listen to one another and to frame 

the future geospatial data activities. 



What do you think are the critical issues that a national forum on geodata policy 

and application should address?



A Forum Steering Committee has generated a list of issues that could be  themes 

for the 1999 Forum (see below.) They suggest the objective of the Forum is to: 

expand the audience for GIS;  deepen understanding of geospatial data users' 

needs; and showcase real examples of partnerships for sharing geospatial data.  

The Forum will be designed to be highly interactive and will balance presentations 

with group discussion and activity.



This is the first draft of possible themes. It will be narrowed down in January to 

a shorter list of  priority items.



·Financing (including data economics)

·Incentives

·Commerce / Business models

·Organization and leadership

·Marketing / Communicating

·Education & training

·Technology development (& the rate of change & the impact thereof) 

·Y2K legacy

·Data exchange policy (legal issues, including intellectual property, copyrighting) 

·International component

·Census

* National initiatives (Digital Earth, Community/Federal Information Partnerships, etc.)



Please tell us:

·	What topics do you most want the Forum to address?

·	Why are these your priorities?

·	Suggestions for presenters OR for interactive methods.



Thank you for your input. We can consider all comments received by January 8, 1999.





--- End Forwarded Message ---