Below are the sessions at the 2008 KAM Conference. These are subject to change:

Orion Update
  Presented by: Melissa G. Crane, PKM, RMA, Appraiser II, GIS & Cadastral Specialist - KDOR/PVD & Charlie Sowell, CAMA Manager
  KDOR/PVD County Appraisers are in various stages of migrating from KSCAMA to the Orion CAMA Product. This session will provide a look into the latest issues as Orion relates to GIS, cadastral mapping and land records maintenance in the Appraisers Office

Proper Documents & Legal Descriptions
  Presented by: Mike Rausch, Licenced Abstractor & Title Agent - Security Title
  This session will discuss different types of Deeds, Mortgages, and other liens. It will also include some information about Trusts and Transfer on Death documents. In addition, Mike will cover legal descriptions and mapping descriptions; when one or the other is appropriate to use. Time will be left at the end of the session for audience questions and discussion.

Working with ArcGIS Server and Geoprocessing
  Presented by: Tim Hensley, Technical Designer - ESRI
  This session will explore how Geoprocessing services and tasks can be served to the Internet through ArcGIS Server. Geoprocessing is comprised of many standard methods for manipulating geographic data. It typically entails taking one or more input datasets, performing an operation on the data, and returning the result of the operation as output data. ArcGIS Server makes it possible to publish powerful Geoprocessing tasks to the World Wide Web. These tasks can then be consumed in either lightweight web applications, or in more sophisticated clients such as ArcGIS Desktop. This session will directly address what it takes to work with Geoprocessing in ArcGIS Server. Topics will include authoring Geoprocessing resources, publishing Geoprocessing services to ArcGIS Server, and consuming the services in a variety of clients.

Cartographic Perception: What Makes a Good Map?
  Presented by: Lee Allen, GIS & Mapping Coordinator - Shawnee County Appraiser's Office
  This session will address the issue of perception and maps, and why maps mean different things to different people. It will also describe the elements of a good map, give examples of what not to do, and describe common issues overlooked when creating maps. The major type of maps addressed will be those that are used in decision making processes.

Developing GIS contract specification
  Presented by: Sherry Massey, GIS Coordinator - Dickinson County & Bruce Hardesty, Project Sales Manager - R&S Digital Services
  We will discuss common pitfalls and areas of miscommunication which can cause problems between clients and vendors, and present some tips for working successfully with GIS contractors. From the client's perspective we will discusses issues such as quality control/quality assurance and how to assure you get what you've asked for.

Digital Technology in Photogrammetry
  Presented by: Mike Flynn, Operations Manager - MJ Harden
  Satellite imagery, digital aerial imagery and LiDAR point clouds continue to provide the foundations for most mapping in the geospatial industry today. This presentation outlines some of the tools, technology and services that are being used in modern photogrammetry firms.

Kansas Height Modernization
  Presented by: Ingrid Landgraf, Geospatial Liaison for Kansas - USGS
  Height Modernization is a program in NOAA's National Geodetic Survey (NGS) that uses Global Positioning system (GPS) and other new technologies to increase the accuracy of elevation measurements that comprise the vertical portion of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). This system provides the foundation for positioning and navigation activities in the United States. It is the reference base for latitude, longitude, height (elevation), and distance between points on the Earth's surface. NOAA provides competitive grant funding to the States to help support the implementation of height modernization. The Kansas Height Modernization Team will present the plan for height modernization in Kansas.

Local Government Information System (LGIS)
  Presented by: Curt Moore, Senior GIS Specialist & Travis Rozean, General Manager - Infinitec
  This class will cover the steps needed to implement a successful GIS for your local government and show how the system integrates Appraisal data. The class will give you a better understanding about Server-Side GIS, what to consider when using Appraisal data, and how the New Cama system will affect your GIS.

Mobile GIS - Tips and Tricks of Field Data Collection
  Presented by: Meghan Anderson, GIS Analyst & Caleb Hopkins, GIS Analyst - Watershed Concepts
  This session will be an overview of how mobile GIS is used in field data collection. It will cover the basics of mobile GIS, the realities of collecting mobile data and some tips and tricks of field data collection, with a discussion of best practices.

GIS Implementation - Small jurisdiction/budget
  Presented by: Chris Chappell, GIS Coordinator - Jasper County, Missouri
  Just starting out with your GIS endeavors? Or just considering the possibilities of a GIS implementation? Perhaps you are a small entity where funding is tight, attitudes are traditional and personnel are limited. Well if there's a will there's a way! This presentation will cover a variety of topics including; GIS implementation, data conversion, acquiring services, selling the product (or convincing those who don't really care about technology to keep it in the budget), and continuing your GIS efforts for the long haul. If you are just starting out, bring your questions. I'll bring 13 years of experience, both good and bad, that might just answer your questions.

Regional Homeland Security GIS Initiatives
  Presented by: Jessica Frye, KS Homeland Security GIS Coordinator - KS Adjutant General's Dept & Eileen Battles, GIS Specialist - DASC
  DASC and the Kansas Homeland Security Office has been working with several Kansas Homeland Security regions to inventory their GIS data, software, and equipment needs. Using the Kansas GIS Inventory tool, local government GIS data is being inventoried to determine the "gaps" or needs for GIS data in each region, as well as across the state. In addition, DASC is serving as a free, off-site backup storage facility for local governments. The Kansas Homeland Security office and DASC is working with the regions to create guidelines for what data is needed and how it can be used in the event of an emergency.

What's Up at DASC?!
  Presented by: Eileen Battles, GIS Specialist & Ken Nelson, DASC Manager - DASC
  DASC has been working on several initiatives and projects, including; statewide street centerline update, statewide tax unit boundaries, statewide 2010 Census Redistricting Program, as well as backing up local government data for Kansas Homeland Security. We have also been working on a web site redesign, and improving our web based tools. Come to this session and get the details on what DASC has been up to!

International Charter on Satellite Imagery for Major Disasters
  Presented by: Ingrid Landgraf, USGS Geospatial Liaison for Kansas - USGS/NSDI Partnership Office
  DASC and the Kansas Homeland Security Office has been working with several Kansas Homeland Security regions to inventory their GIS data, software, and equipment needs. Using the Kansas GIS Inventory tool, local government GIS data is being inventoried to determine the "gaps" or needs for GIS data in each region, as well as across the state. In addition, DASC is serving as a free, off-site backup storage facility for local governments. The Kansas Homeland Security office and DASC is working with the regions to create guidelines for what data is needed and how it can be used in the event of an emergency. Also presented in this session: The International Charter represents a joint effort by international space agencies to put resources at the service of emergency response authorities responding to major natural or man-made disasters. Charter members include satellite companies from several countries that when tasked provide free imagery for emergency management purposes. This presentation will explain what you need to know and how this program is being implemented in Kansas.

Geodetic Control
  Presented by: Steve Thompson, P.E. - Civil Engineer, GIS/GPS Consultant
  Property ownership in Kansas is based on the locations of the township and section corners established throughout our state in the 1800's, as part of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS). The location for surveyed descriptions is based on proximity to the nearest section corners. However, when we want to establish Kansas State Plane Coordinates (north and east coordinates in US feet or meters) or Geographic Coordinates (latitude, longitude in degrees, minutes, and seconds) for these same section corners or property corners, we need to reference them to the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) of control points throughout the state and nation, which are typically marked with brass caps set in concrete. The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is tasked with maintaining and upgrading the national geodetic control network. Due to reduced funding and new technology, NGS can no longer afford to maintain all of those brass caps. In the future they propose accessing the geodetic control through a system of Continuously Operating GPS Reference Stations (CORS stations) operating across the state and nation. There is currently a committee working in Kansas to obtain grant funding from NGS to establish additional CORS stations. The maintenance, upgrades, and access of our geodetic network in Kansas are changing; we need to be a part of that process.

GIS & CAD: Why Can't We All Just Get Along?
  Presented by: Dan Rose, Environmental GIS Technician - City of Topeka
  Ever since the day GIS users tried to edit shapefiles and CAD users tried to analyze geospatial data, users have wanted to integrate the two technologies. GIS is a database program, and CAD is a graphics program. With CAD, it's the lines that are important, i.e. the drawing is the information. With GIS, the lines are just a representation of the data behind it. For both users, the migration to and from CAD/GIS programs can be amazingly frustrating.
The difference between CAD and GIS systems is becoming blurred with the internal attributes and database linkages enhancing CAD and GIS capabilities. Integrating the drawing and editing capabilities of CAD programs with the data analysis and management capabilities of GIS programs is, in many ways, blending the best of both worlds. We will do an unbiased exploration of both GIS and CAD and see how the two worlds are coming together.

Professional Designations
  This session will discuss some of the different mapping and GIS designations available and how to achieve them.
Susan Williams, Property Valuation Department Kansas Department of Revenue, will explain the KM, PKM, and KGISP designations which can be achieved through KAM.
Scott Perkins, Co-Manager of Operations Western Air Maps Inc, and Jason Sheeley, US Army Corp of Engineers, will present their personal experiences with and motivation for getting the GISP designation and how the program is viewed by the government and private sectors.

GeoPDF-A Simple Solution for Sharing Your Geo-Spatial Data
  Presented by: Scott Perkins, Co-Manager of Operations - Western Air Maps Inc
  This session will showcase several samples of how geo-spatial data can be easily produced and distributed to the public in a widely accepted PDF format. GeoPDF takes Adobe Reader to new levels of functionality. Some of the sample projects using this technique are The Hutchinson Impervious Run Off Project and Maps for the City Parks Board and inventory of trees in all City Parks in Mission Kansas.

The Role of GIS in Emergency Management with Lessons Learned from the 2008 Chapman Tornado
  Presented by: Sherry Massey, GIS Coordinator – Dickinson County
  Discussion of the role of GIS in emergency preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery. We will cover what responders and decision-makers might need from GIS during and after a crisis, including the use of GIS in response to the Chapman Tornado: what went right, what went wrong and what we learned from it.