got geoint?

After recovering from the whirlwind and excitement of GEOINT 2008, we were finally able to compile our thoughts, notes and photos from GEOINT 2008 and provide you with an exclusive wrap up report. But first, we would like to say Happy 5th Birthday GEOINT. Look forward to 5 more years…

In what was the largest GEOINT symposium ever (3,300 attendees and more than 150 exhibitors), USGIF hosts – what continues to be – the most relevant event for learning and networking for the geospatial intelligence tradecraft. This year’s event, held at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, certainly delivered…from great networking events to key intelligence and defense leaders discussing the future of our tradecraft during this time of transition.

Day 1 kicked off on Monday August 27th with the Allder Golf Classic at the Gaylord Springs Golf Links. Named in honor of the late William R. Allder Jr., the golf tournament generates proceeds that help fund the annual scholarships USGIF provides to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students pursuing education excellence in fields related to the geospatial intelligence tradecraft.

Monday’s entertainment was a reception at the historic Grand Ole Opry, which has been called the “home of American music” and “country’s most famous stage.”

Day 2 opened up with K. Stuart Shea, CEO and Chairman of the Board, USGIF, officially introduced Keith Masback, as the new President of USGIF. Mr. Masback then discussed the future of the Foundation – including announcing the launch of the got geoint? blog — and of the tradecraft in general, which was a great segue for Mr. Rich Haver, Corporate Vice President for Intelligence Programs, Northrop Grumman to take over as Master of Ceremonies.

Mr. Haver discussed many of the challenges facing our community in the coming months and introduced the Honorable James R. Clapper Jr., Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (USD(I)), as the first keynote speaker. General Clapper went into detail about history geospatial intelligence and how it has grown to be the functional common denominator for all of the other layers of intelligence. He also discussed future challenges and concerns for the tradecraft. For more insight into General Clapper’s keynote, please check out our exclusive Q&A with him here.

During the afternoon keynote, Charles Allen, the undersecretary for intelligence and analysis at DHS, discussed how DHS is relying more on geospatial information technology to collect and analyze intelligence for its counterterrorism and emergency response missions – reinforcing General Clapper’s assertions that geospatial intelligence is the functional common denominator. Here’s a link his actual keynote address.

The first full day of GEOINT 2008 wrapped up with a series of breakout sessions on topics such as Human Terrain and Socio-Cultural Analysis, Emerging Technologies, and Public Policy and Governance.

Day 3 began with what was an enlightening and emotional presentation by Maj. General John M. Custer who provided illuminating commentary on the state of warfare. He said that we are now in an era of persistent conflict that will not disappear. To learn more about his presentation, view our previous post.

In addition, this morning’s master of ceremonies, the Honorable Joan Dempsey, discussed overall intel budget reduction concerns. The big takeaway is that she envisions cuts will not be as resource depleting as cuts in the 1990s.

Vice Admiral Bob Murrett, director of NGA, also discussed a multitude of topics including the NGA’s new facility, as well as steps the NGA has taken at improving the integration of architectures on the ground with platform-neutral imagery. Murrett also discussed humanitarian efforts and GEOINT’s role in crises in Darfur, as well as providing support for natural disasters in Asia.

In a morning that was packed with keynotes, other speakers included Air Marshal Stuart W. Peach, U.K. Royal Air Force, CDI, MoDUK, as well as the Honorable James R. Woosley, the former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

The afternoon wrapped up with panels on National Security Implications of Environmental Change, The Warfighter’s Perspective, as well as Emerging Technologies.

An exhibit hall reception lead into the GEOWalk Corporate Hospitality Night, which proved to be a fun-filled evening of networking, cocktails and dancing at the in-house night club at the Gaylord Opryland, Fuse Nightclub. We would like that thanks BAE Systems, sponsors of the final party at Fuse, for extending the hours of the party. We were having too much fun to stop dancing at 11 p.m.

Although many people were moving slowly after the GeoWalk event, day four – the final day – proved to be just as vital as the first three days. Keynote speakers included Mr. Scott F. Large, Director of the NRO; General C. Robert “Bob” Kehler, U.S. Airforce, (see our post about his presentation here); Mr. Kevin P. Meiners, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Portfolios, Programs and Resources, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence; Mr. Alden V. Munson Jr., Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Analysis; and The Honorable J. Michael McConnell, Director of National Intelligence.

The Director of National Intelligence’s keynote presentation proved to be the most buzzed about presentation at GEOINT 2008. Many reporters from Associated Press, Washington Post, CNN and Fox News all attended to hear his views and vision for the future of the intelligence community. Read our complete coverage of his presentation here. Also, you can see the CNN and Fox News coverage of his presentation here.

Finally, GEOINT 2008 wrapped up with GEOINT 5th Anniversary Celebration and Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation. Attendees convened in the Delta Ballroom at the Gaylord Opryland to enjoy complimentary food, drinks, and entertainment to celebrate this great landmark with USGIF.
Before being entertained by country music star Phil Vassar, the Foundation gave its Lifetime Achievement Award to Evan Hineman.

This award recognizes an individual’s outstanding contribution and longstanding commitment to the geospatial intelligence community. Nominated and selected by the USGIF Board of Directors, the recipient must demonstrate a lifetime of dedication to the tradecraft and whose accomplishments serve as an example to others. Past winners have included Dr. Leo Hazlewood, Mr. William Allder Jr., The Honorable Jeffrey K. Harris, and The Honorable James R. Clapper Jr. Mr. Hineman has a history of leadership roles serving in both private industry and governmental positions that have essentially shaped and established out GEOINT tradecraft. Here’s our recent Q&A with Mr. Hineman.

For any of our readers who want to share any enlightening, interesting and funny stories from GEOINT 2008, feel free to post some comments. Thanks!

Tags: DHS, DNI, GEOINT 2008, USGIF