Surveying is one of the world’s oldest professions, and it has a rich history in the United States. Three American Presidents (Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln) were land surveyors in their lifetimes, as were Benjamin Banneker, Daniel Boone, and Alice Fletcher.
The profession continues today with organizations like the National Society of Professional Surveyors and its state affiliates and local chapters providing educational opportunities, networking, and advocacy. Most of these groups hold annual events to bring together surveyors from around the industry to listen to speakers and mingle with like-minded people.
Here is a brief list of upcoming events for 2019 and early 2020. We hope you have the time to attend.
Salt Lake City Rendezvous 2019
The Surveyors Historical Society is an international association that explores, teaches, and preserves surveyor accomplishments. Each year the society hosts a rendezvous in a different part of the United States. No membership is required to attend.This year, the Rendezvous is in Salt Lake City, Utah from September 18-21, 2019. It’s co-sponsored by the Utah Council of Land Surveyors.
The theme is the “Surveys and Surveyors of Utah Territory.” This year, the Rendezvous is commemorating the 150th anniversary of some well-known events in the world of surveying.
- 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike in Promontory, Utah.
- 150th anniversary of the establishment of the latitude and longitude stations in Salt Lake City by the USC&G Survey.
- 150th Anniversary of the partial retracement and resurvey North, South, East, an West of the Salt Lake Meridian, Utah’s principle meridian.
- 150th anniversary of the 1869 descent of the Green and Colorado Rivers through Utah by John Wesley Powell.
- 150th anniversary of the Wheeler Survey in the Great Basin, one of the “Four Great Surveys of the West.”
1869 was a busy year in the Utah Territory.
They also plan possible tours of interesting landmarks and museums including the Utah State Railroad Museum, the Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake Temple, and the Bingham Canyon Open Pit Copper Mine.
Texas Society of Professional Surveyors Tyler Junior College Surveying and Mapping Camp
The TJS Surveying and Mapping Camp is an annual camp sponsored by the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors for high schoolers interested in learning more about the profession and practice.
It will be held this year on Sunday, June 9, 2019, at the main campus of Tyler Junior College. The event is open to high school students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year. There is no charge for participation. You can register here.
Tyler Junior College has the oldest surveying school in Texas, offering the Surveying and Geomatics Technology Program. The program provides the basics in surveying and part of the formal training required for a professional license. Students can earn an Associate’s Degree or a certificate in surveying and geomatics technology.
Texas Society of Professional Surveyors 14th Annual Hook, Line & Sinker Fishing Tournament
To be held June 22, 2019, at the Redfish Bay & Boathouse in Aransas Pass, Texas, the Texas chapter is holding a fishing tournament to benefit scholarship funds. The amateur tournament is open to anyone with guided and unguided divisions. The Entry Fee is $350 per team of up to four anglers, and your registration must be postmarked by May 31, 2019.
Texas Society of Professional Surveyors 68th Annual Convention and Tech Expo
The 68th Annual Convention and Tech Expo is held in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, from October 5-8, 2019. Horseshoe Bay is about 55 miles northwest of Austin on Lake Lyndon B. Johnson in Burnet County, TX.
Along with the exhibitors and educational opportunities, the expo features an annual golf tournament at Slick Rock Golf Course, a yearly skeet shoot at Copperhead Creek, and a Luncheon and Wine Tasting at Slick Rock Grill. And, of course, there is the awards dinner.
The speakers cover everything from surveying technology to marketing. One interesting talk is called “Adverse Possession Like You’ve Never Seen It” given by Kristopher Kline.
Women Surveyors Summit
Also sponsored by the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors, the first-ever Women Surveyors Summit is being held August 23-24, 2019 at the Residence Inn in downtown Austin. They are offering a tour of the Texas General Land Office and the State Capitol. Also, educational presentations focus on women in the profession.
Alabama Society of Professional Land Surveyors 2019 Summer Conference
The Alabama chapter of the NSPS is planning its summer conference at the new lodge in Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, Alabama, from July 1-2. If you register by June 3 you can get an early bird discount.
Presentations span everything from health and safety to expert witness testimony.
Colorado Society of Professional Surveyors Rocky Mountain Surveyors Summit
This year’s summit has already come and gone, but you can look forward to the gathering next year, February 26-28, 2020 at the Marriott Denver West.
In 2019, the group combined all of its front range conferences into a single event. The speaker at that event was Byron E. Johnson, PLS. Nothing yet about next year’s plans.
National Surveyors Week
Every March, the National Society of Professional Surveyors sponsors National Surveyors Week in an effort to attract young people to the profession. In an open letter by Frank Lenik, PLS, the main goals of the program are:
- Public awareness of the profession through education
- Public awareness of the profession through media
- Public awareness of the profession through public service
Each year the society provides posters and ideas of activities to show everyone what a surveyor does and to make the profession attractive to the younger generation.
The NSPS provides information and assistance in conducting a merit badge event for Boy Scouts. It also suggests ways to organize a geocaching or benchmark hunt. They encourage local chapters to visit local civic clubs, teachers and school counselors, and professional organizations of realtors, attorneys, title agents, and bankers
The group is also active in advocacy with the federal, state, and local government to keep the profession of the surveyor in the minds of the leaders of the country.
These are but a few of the events open to professional surveyors over the next 12 months. Check your state and local chapters for events near you and to keep up with the news about the profession of land surveying.
