PLSO Oregon Surveyor

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Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon |
By Aimee McAuliffe, PLSO Exec. Secretary
Are You Up to the Challenge?
From the PLSO Office
Continues on the bottom of page 4
T he 2017 Annual Conference will be here before we
know it! Set for January 18–20 at the Sheraton Portland
Airport Hotel, this year promises to be informative and fun.
The host hotel is conveniently located near the airport for
those that would like to fly in and pick up the free shuttle
from the airport (Alaska Airlines is running around $200
right now from both Klamath Falls and Walla Walla).
Our members have told us that the Annual Conference
is an important reason why they join. You appreciate the
opportunity to earn PDH’s and network within your profes-
sional community. We appreciate your participation and
support in creating a community that can rely on each
other and help grow the future of our profession through
your attendance and participation in the Education &
Outreach Auction.
As we look to the future, PLSO and its members are on
a precipice together. Technology is constantly changing,
career paths are diverging, and social culture is adapting
to both. As the twenty-first century continues, PLSO’s goal
is to be sure that our programs meet your professional
needs. A central theme of this year’s Annual Conference is
“Challenge of Change” in recognition of our current profes-
sional environment and what we need to do for tangible
benefits. Change is constant, but you are surveyors! You
“got” this.
As per usual, the conference will open Wednesday
morning and offer a wide range of continuing education
programs, including David Doyle. This year’s first lunch
keynote speaker is Curt Sumner, Executive Director of the
National Society of Professional Surveyors. Mr. Sumner
works hard on the front lines for land surveyors and will be
able to address national trends and issues. Oregon Young
Surveyors Network will host an Open House Meet Up at
Buffalo Wild Wings following the Vendor Reception as well.
Thursday is a full day featuring such speakers as Michael
Pallamary, PLS, and Dr. Richard Elgin. Be sure to attend
the Annual Meeting and Awards luncheon to see who is
being honored for Surveyor of the Year before capping off
the night with our most important event of the year – the
Education & Outreach Auction. Last year, PLSO raised over
$12,000 for scholarship and outreach programs and we’re
hoping we can beat it in 2017! Friday wraps up with another
opportunity to earn PDH’s, including Royce Hill on Donation
Land Claims. This is not an event you want to miss! For a
quick look at the entire seminar schedule or to read session
descriptions and speaker bios, be sure to go online to
A few practical pointers:
• Register for the conference before December 30. Early
birds are rewarded with reduced registration pricing.
Your early registration helps us gauge our numbers in
a timely fashion, secure sufficient
rooms, enable hotel staff to serve
us better, and ensure a smoother
running and more enjoyable
conference for all.
• If you’re planning on making life
easier by staying at the conference, be sure to book
your room early! To receive the discounted rate, call
Elizabeth Long in Sheraton’s local Group Reservations
at 503.335.2857 and mention PLSO. Single/Double
Rate: $129; Triple: $149; Quad: $169. If there are issues
getting the discounted rate or a room in general, don’t
just let it slide. Contact me at .
• Not sure which seminars you want to attend? Print out
the seminar grid before visiting the seminar descriptions
page. Circle the classes that you want to attend on
the grid as you find out what each session is about.
You will find the seminar information at
• If you would like to get to the Oregon Young Surveyors
gathering, make sure you RSVP for their Open House
Meet Up. Go to
• PLSO likes to respect and acknowledge our members
that have passed away. If you know any members that
have passed, please let me know at execdirector@
so that I may make sure they are included.
• Participate in the 2017 Map Contest and win a
free registration to the 2018 Conference. For more
information, go to
• Do you have a student that is interested in surveying?
Sign them up for the Conference Student Program,
coordinated by Jason Martin. Email PLSO for details, or
support student outreach by sponsoring a student when
you register to attend the conference.
• If you are interested in helping build the future of
our profession, please consider donating a new item to
the Silent Auction. Email me at execdirector@
or download a form at
Education-&-Outreach-Auction.
This great event is only possible due to hard work by an
amazing team. Special recognition goes to Conference
Committee Volunteers: Jered McGrath (chair), Shaun Fidler,
Chris Glantz, Ray Griffin, Gary Johnston, Jason Martin,
and Scott Reaves. We are also thankful for the specialized
assistance provided by Tim Kent and Paul Landau.
Gentlemen, thank you for all your hard work and donated
time.