Keynote Speakers

Halls F, G, and H
Monday	During the Plenary Session 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Hernando de Soto

Economist, Author, and President, Institute for Liberty
and Democracy (ILD)

Designs for Poverty: Formalizing Landownership

Hernando De Soto will share how geographic information system (GIS) technology is being used to formalize landownership—an approach he feels is helping the poor take a crucial first step away from poverty. Read full bio.

Willie Smits

Biologist, Chairman, Masarang Foundation, and
Founder, Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS)

Designs for the Environment: Rebuilding Forests

Willie Smits will share his inspirational passion for rebuilding forest habitat and orangutan populations. He will talk about a project underway in eastern Borneo that is positively impacting communities by creating a better future for local people, trees, and the orangutan. Read full bio.

Timothy Trainor

Chief, Geography Division, United States Census Bureau

Collecting Quality Data About the Nation’s People and Economy

Timothy Trainor will discuss the enormity of the Census Bureau’s data collection process. Learn how GIS is being used as a critical tool throughout the bureau to prepare for and execute census surveys in the office and the field. Read full bio.