KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Robert Garraty, Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
PLENARY SPEAKER
Thomas L. Mesenbourg, Jr. is the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Census Bureau. He has day-to-day responsibility for directing all of the Census Bureau's diverse programs as well as its administrative functions. Previously, Mr. Mesenbourg served as Associate Director for Economic Programs. In 2004, he was the recipient of a Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Senior Executives, the government's highest award for career executives. He joined the Census Bureau in 1972.
Community Impacts of Marcellus Shale Development: A Research Update
The development of a large natural gas held within a deep geologic formation, called the Marcellus Shale, is likely to have significant and long-term consequences for Pennsylvania, especially for the commonwealth’s rural communities. This session will summarize research currently being conducted related to community and economic impacts of Marcellus Shale by Penn State researchers. The session will describe current activity levels and locations, impacts described by community members, perceptions and attitudes of residents, and controversies and debates related to Marcellus Shale development.
How to Design a Survey Instrument
This session provides you with the essentials you need to design your own survey questionnaire. Learn how to craft a solid data collection instrument by identifying your data needs, mapping key survey topics, and writing good questions and response choices. The session will enable you to develop better survey tools and to evaluate the usefulness of existing survey instruments. If you create your own surveys for evaluation, assessment, gauging public opinion, administrative data gathering, marketing, or research purposes – this session is for you. (Auden Thomas, Ph.D, and Stephanie Wehnau, Center for Survey Research)
The Status of Spatial Data Infrastructure in Pennsylvania
Brady Stroh will give an update on the status of geospatial data development in the Commonwealth, including the PAMAP imagery and lidar programs and the establishment of a state coordinating council. Completion of the 2005 through 2007 imagery and lidar is nearly complete with only a few counties still in final production. House Bill 2300, which establishes a geospatial coordinating council, has been introduced to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and is expected to pass during the fall session, after which it will be sent on to the Senate for consideration. (Brady Stroh, Center for Geospatial Information and Sustainability)
National Agricultural Statistics Service Geospatial Products
Overview of 2007 Census of Agriculture Atlas Maps, County Estimate Maps, and the Cropland Data Layer (CDL). (Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service)
Demonstration of the NEW American FactFinder
Overview of the key milestones and a demonstration of the NEW American FactFinder features and functions. (Marian E. Brady and Jackie Mommsen, U.S. Census Bureau)