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</b></div>Dear FOSS4G 2014 Selection Committee,<p></p></b><br><div class="gmail_quote"><br><span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">After two years abroad, it is time for FOSS4G to rock in North America again. Please accept this letter as indication of our intent to submit a bid to host the FOSS4G 2014 Conference in Washington D.C. in September 2014. We believe FOSS4G 2014 held in Washington D.C. can be one of the best FOSS4G conferences yet. This conference will provide great content to welcome practitioners, entrepreneurs, and outreach while maintaining the strong developer program FOSS4G is known for. We anticipate the program adding an exciting new area exploring where GIS and Enterprise IT converge.</span></p>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:10pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Venue</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The </span><a href="http://www.dcconvention.com/" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Walter E. Washington Convention Center</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> is located in the heart of Washington D.C. near numerous government offices, tourist attractions and hotels. Easily accessible accommodation options are diverse ranging from $20 USD/night for hostels and up with many well known hotel brands available nearby. The venue has the capacity to comfortably host FOSS4G, scaling between 500 and 42K attendees. </span><a href="http://www.dcconvention.com/Attachments/Convention-Center/Floorplans-Apr2011.aspx" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Floor plan options</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> allow an integrated plenary for up to 1458 people. It is a modern, sleek, and highly energy efficient facility. Public transit is directly connected to the facility and is clean, affordable, safe, and efficient. Washington is served by three major airports affording exceptional access to international travelers. This venue was the site of the successful FOSS4G North America event in 2012.</span></p>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:10pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Dates</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">We propose to host the conference September 22nd to 26th, 2014. In the unlikely event of conflict for those dates, the event will be held September 29th to October 3rd.</span></p>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:10pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Conference Chair </span></h1><ul style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Eddie Pickle (OpenGeo), Washington D.C., United States</span></p>
</li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Eddie Pickle is President and CEO of OpenGeo, a world leader in commercial open source geospatial software. Since joining OpenGeo in 2009 he has led the company to rapid revenue growth, and in early 2013 directed its successful spin-off into a private company from incubator parent, OpenPlans. Prior to joining OpenGeo, Eddie was a founder of OGC web services pioneer, IONIC Enterprise, and served as its Chief Operating Officer until its purchase by Hexagon in 2007. Eddie holds an M.A. in Geography from UCLA, specializing in demography, and has a broad range of solutions expertise in location technology software and analytics. </span></p>
<br><span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Eddie led the teams that organized the successful FOSS4G North America 2012 and FedGeo Day 2013 events, which were both held in Washington D.C.</span></p>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:10pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Experience</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">FOSS4G is a large and important annual event for the community. We are fortunate to have a very experienced chair and a team with much depth. The committee is supported by full-time staff who specialize in event planning.</span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Members of the team organized the successful FOSS4G North America 2012 and recent "FedGeoDay 2013" (275 attendees) events in Washington D.C. </span></p>
</li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The logistics for this conference will be organized by the Eclipse Foundation’s expert conference organizing team who run two similar-sized EclipseCon conferences annually.</span></p>
</li></ul><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(255,0,0);vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:10pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Conference Committee</span></h1>
<ul style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Dave McIlhagga (CEO of MapSherpa and IMIA Board member, Chair of FOSS4G predecessor - OSGIS 2004), Ottawa, Canada</span></p>
</li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Andrew Ross (Director, Eclipse Foundation), Ottawa, Canada</span></p>
</li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Philip Bogden (Senior Scientist, Radiant Blue), Washington D.C., United States</span></p>
</li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Denise Mackenzie (Executive Director of Marketing & Communications, OGC), Melbourne, Australia</span></p>
</li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Kate Chapman (Acting Executive Director of the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team), Washington D.C., United States</span></p>
</li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Eric Gundersen (CEO, MapBox), Washington D.C., United States</span></p>
</li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Xavier Lopez (Director, Spatial and Graph products, Oracle and LocationTech co-chair), Boston, United States</span></p>
</li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Thierry Badard (CTO @ Spatialytics, Professor @ Laval University, co-chair of the ICA commission on open source geospatial technologies and OSGeo Quebec Steering committee member), Quebec City, Canada</span></p>
</li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Dr. Fraser Taylor, (Distinguished Research Professor & Director of the Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre, Carleton University), Ottawa, Canada</span></p>
</li></ul><br><span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The diversity of experience and energy of the organising committee will deliver a stimulating and enjoyable program. Most of us have worked on successful events previously, and have attended and/or presented at several previous FOSS4G conferences.</span></p>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:10pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Financing</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This bid does not require financial backing from OSGeo. Based upon the strength of the organizing committee, constituent organizations, and factoring experience from FOSS4G 2011 (Denver), FOSS4G NA 2012 (Washington D.C.) and this year’s FOSS4G (Nottingham), it anticipates a positive financial return to OSGeo while keeping fees as low as possible.</span></p>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:10pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Tourism</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Washington D.C. boasts countless historical monuments, galleries, and museums including the prestigious Smithsonian Institution. There are many other governmental buildings including Capitol Hill, the White House, Library of Congress, and more. There are sights to see and activities for all tastes in addition to the great conference.</span></p>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:10pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Supporting Organizations</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This bid has support from the following organizations and groups: OpenGeo, The Eclipse Foundation, LocationTech, Oracle, OGC, MapBox, MapSherpa, OSGeo Quebec chapter, OSGeo Ottawa chapter, IBM, Actuate, Azavea, GCRC at Carleton University, AvidGeo, RadiantBlue Technologies, George Mason University Center of Excellence in GIS, Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI), and more.</span></p>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:10pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">In Summary</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">FOSS4G 2014 will welcome developers, practitioners, academics, and entrepreneurs from around the world. Washington D.C. is one of the best possible places in the world to host FOSS4G 2014. It features a vibrant local community, a strong base of innovative entrepreneurs, academics exploring the frontiers of our industry, unique access to many governmental agencies, and simplified travel for international participants. The team in D.C. has proven they can run a great event. With a diverse, experienced, and energetic team, we believe FOSS4G 2014 in Washington D.C. will be remembered as one of the best.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(255,0,0);vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="Arial"><span style="line-height:11.333333015441895px;white-space:pre-wrap"><br>
</span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="Arial"><span style="line-height:11.333333015441895px;white-space:pre-wrap">Sincerely,</span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<font face="Arial"><span style="line-height:11.333333015441895px;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="Arial"><span style="line-height:11.333333015441895px;white-space:pre-wrap"><br>
</span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="Arial"><span style="line-height:11.333333015441895px;white-space:pre-wrap">Eddie Pickle</span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<br>J. Edward Pickle</p><div>Chief Executive Officer</div><div><b>OpenGeo</b></div><div><a href="http://opengeo.org/" target="_blank">http://opengeo.org</a></div><div><a href="mailto:epickle@opengeo.org" target="_blank">epickle@opengeo.org</a></div>
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