You're Invited: FREE Lunchtime Workshop on Thurs, Aug 4 - Alexandria Quality of Life Initiative

Join us on Thursday, August 4 for our third lunchtime program.  This month’s topic is GIS and data visualization.  Lunch is provided and there is no charge to attend.  Seats are limited.  Read on for details about the workshop and how to rsvp!

Alexandria Quality of Life Initiative

Lunchtime Workshop Series

Cosponsored by

ACT for Alexandria ■ City of Alexandria ■ Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria

■ Virginia Tech Center for Public Administration and Policy

The Alexandria Quality of Life (AQOL) Lunchtime Workshop Series bring people together around the key questions and challenges involved in further enhancing our great community.  How do we measure Alexandria’s Quality of Life?  How can agencies, nonprofits, businesses and community groups use this data to make our community an even better place to live, work and play?

In a conversational setting, we’ll discuss best practices and key insights about using community indicators to make meaningful community change, including ‘lessons learned’ from colleagues and peers.

Join us for a stimulating discussion!  The workshops are free and open to the public; FREE LUNCH* is provided for the July program courtesy of Virginia Tech.  For more information, contact Beth Offenbacker, Ph.D., Virginia Tech Center for Public Administration and Policy at boffen@vt.edu or 703 623 4811. *Funding provided by Virginia Tech’s Institute for Society, Culture and Environment (ISCE)

Data Visualization: Using GIS Tools to Create Meaning and Guide Change

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Noon -1pm

The AQOLI project focuses on using a range of data sources to support informed decision making and action by public, private, nonprofit and community groups in Alexandria.  But sometimes the use of data can be overwhelming in understanding its meaning.  Many indicators projects around the country use data visualization tools – like GIS systems (Geographic Information Systems) – to make it easier to view and interpret complex community data. Join us on August 4 for an exciting discussion about the role of visualization in creating meaning and guiding community change.  Among the subjects we’ll explore include: -         What is GIS and how it is being used today in the City for visualizing data -         The applicability of GIS to data analysis -         Participatory GIS: an example of how to use GIS in conjunction with stakeholders to collect and display data -         The value of GIS data visualization for analyzing short- and long-term data trends Speakers include: □       Steven Chozick, GIS Division Chief, Department of Planning and Zoning, City of Alexandria □       Seth Peery, Senior GIS Architect/Enterprise GIS, Virginia Tech Geospatial Information Sciences

NOTE NEW LOCATION THIS MONTH:  Virginia Tech's Center for Public Administration and Policy, 1021 Prince Street, Alexandria, Va. 22314

Street parking nearby and also accessible via Alexandria’s DASH bus service

No charge to attend.  Seating is limited; please RSVP by Wednesday, August 3 at http://tinyurl.com/43o282r