The conference featured demos by leading survey technology companies, including Maritime Robotics, which used an autonomous mapping platform to map a shipwreck 1 km away in Grand Traverse Bay.
Hosted by Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) and organized by NMC, NOAA, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the Great Lakes Observing System, the conference gathered around 200 professionals in Traverse City, Michigan to learn about the latest mapping efforts, new technologies, and continue to work towards mapping the remaining 85% of the Great Lakes at high-density.
A few highlights:
- NOAA efforts were prominently featured this year. NOAA’s Rear Admiral Benjamin Evans presented a keynote on the Office of Coast Survey’s ongoing efforts in the Great Lakes, including sending the NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson to map here for the first time in decades.
- Denis Hains, from H2i, presented on the global hydrospatial movement and how it relates to Lakebed 2030.
- From GLOS, Tim Kearns presented on the current state of Lakebed 2030 and on GLOS efforts to bolster the initiative.
- Students from NMC’s Marine Technology program attended talks and demos and networked with potential employers.
