Officials to discuss open data, economic expansion, and the increased demand for mapping
Redlands, California—July 9, 2014—The Esri User Conference will feature Penny Pritzker, the United States Secretary of Commerce, and Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and Administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The speakers will present at 2:00 p.m. (PDT) during the opening session on Monday, July 14 at the San Diego Convention Center. The Esri UC, to be held July 14–18, will connect thousands of people from more than 90 countries unified by their use of Esri’s geographic information system (GIS) technology.
As the head of “America’s Data Agency,” Secretary Pritzker will discuss how the Department of Commerce and the Obama Administration are working to expand economic opportunity through open data. Her speech will detail the reach and impact of the Department’s existing efforts, and describe new ways Commerce is working to unleash the potential of even more open data to make government smarter, create new businesses, make existing firms more competitive, and keep citizens better informed about their own communities.
Dr. Sullivan, a distinguished scientist, renowned astronaut, and intrepid explorer, will speak about “Bringing Science to Life.” As America’s environmental intelligence agency, NOAA delivers science, information, and data to communities and businesses around the country every day, and the demand for NOAA’s data is only increasing. She will discuss the economic potential that releasing additional data could bring, and the collaboration needed to foster innovation, create new industries and job opportunities, and spur economic growth.
Secretary Pritzker is a civic and business leader with more than 25 years of experience running and creating companies in the real estate, hospitality, senior living, and financial services industries. Pritzker has served as the 38th U.S. Secretary of Commerce since June 26, 2013. She is a key member of President Obama’s economic team and is focused on providing businesses and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to grow and hire. Under Secretary Pritzker, the Department of Commerce has made unlocking the power of more of the agency’s vast amounts of data a top priority, and a key way through which the Department will help spur increased economic growth, entrepreneurial activity, and innovation.
Dr. Sullivan was confirmed by the Senate as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator on March 6, 2014. Dr. Sullivan previously held the position of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction where she played a central role in directing priority work in the areas of weather and water services, climate science and services, integrated mapping services and Earth-observing capabilities.
