IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine - March 2020 - 5

writing, we had more than 2,500 abstracts submitted to
IGARSS 2020.) In any case, we will gain in participation,
opportunities for discussion, and motivated attendance.
Our IGARSS meetings are financially and technically
very healthy, and the GRSS recognizes that being more
open is a definite benefit in the long term and compensates for any issues that may occur the first time this new
oral format is implemented.
To be more open, the GRSS is also taking a risk by introducing new regional conferences this year to support participation by members of local/regional communities who
previously did not have an avenue to share their research results and connect with other regional communities (https://
www.grss-ieee.org/conferences/regional-conferences/).
It is a risk because, whenever researchers' budgets are limited, regional conferences become more attractive, and the
flagship IGARSS may eventually receive fewer submissions.
However, regional conferences offer an advantage for members of more localized communities, who will benefit from
increased interaction and involvement in GRSS activities. In
turn, this will spread the word about what you, our members, do within your own geographical locations and topics of interest. As a matter of fact, new Chapters are being
considered or have already been implemented as a result of

additional interest in GRSS activities fostered by regional
support to local communities.
We have decided to take these risks (and others) to improve authors' experiences with GRSS publications and
GRSS-sponsored conferences. It is very important that
the reasons for these changes are shared and openly explained so that everyone is aware of them and can provide
feedback. It would be great to hear from you about any
changes. The question of what the GRSS should do to become an open community of communities in 2020 is up
for discussion. Feel free to share your thoughts on social
media or with me directly at president@grss-ieee.org.
Based on this message, my personal resolution for 2020
is that I will do my best to help the GRSS become an open
community of communities by listening to everyone and
increasing the number and diversity of opportunities for
both members and nonmembers to provide feedback. I
will make every effort to distribute information internally
to the Society and externally to other communities, both
within and outside of IEEE. I will do my best to openly interact and share, frankly reply to all questions, and discuss
all decisions that are important to our Society with all interested parties.

GRS

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MARCH 2020

IEEE GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING MAGAZINE

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IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine - March 2020

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