June 2010 | What's the buzz?
Peter Gaska named “2010 eXtreme Analyst of the Year” at this year’s
BAE Systems GXP International User Conference and Professional Exchange
Conference exceeds expectations
Once again, BAE Systems’ annual GXP International User Conference and Professional Exchange was a big success. Nearly 300 participants — a record that exceeded expectations — attended the conference, held this past April at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines in San Diego. Attendees were impressed by the wealth of knowledge presented and found it beneficial to network with other users, while having technical staff available for questions. Information was exchanged throughout the workshops and product specialists encouraged attendees to offer input to improve software capabilities. Unclassified and classified briefings focused on use of in-field GXP products and real-world scenarios from users on the front lines.
During his keynote address, Kevin West, Deputy Director for ISR Enterprise Programs for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence at the Pentagon, discussed the importance of connecting users — including various government agencies, coalition partners, and individuals on the front lines — with real-time information sharing.
Another hot topic at the conference was the increase in video processing capabilities. Already an integral part of the geospatial-intelligence landscape, video data continues to become more widely available. GXP product specialists demonstrated current and upcoming video analysis capabilities, and conference attendees shared real-world workflow scenarios that helped BAE Systems better understand customer requirements for future product enhancements.
Debut of the ‘XA Cup’
At this year’s conference, the GXP team sought to find the most eXtreme Analyst (XA) of 2010. One lucky analyst walked away with product knowledge, insight, and the stunning silver “XA Cup” trophy. The XA Cup, new to the conference this year, is an exciting, interactive tournament that tests eXtreme Analysis skills. Contenders fired up their XA skills as they vied for the title of “2010 eXtreme Analyst of the Year” and bragging rights until the 2011 conference. Team GXP challenged competitors with a short quiz, trivia questions, and an online scavenger hunt. Those extreme enough to make it to the final round were given one final chance to show off their skills in the closing session. The finalists, Pete Gaska and Candida Allen, went head-to-head in the intense final game-show round. Audience members cheered on their favorite contenders as Pete and Candida competed against each other by answering questions, some humorous, posed by Team GXP, lending the audience comic relief from the extreme experience that is the XA Cup!
To win the title of 2010 eXtreme Analyst of the Year, finalists answered questions about XA processes, XA terminology and acronyms, and GXP history. The audience also joined in the fun as each finalist was given the option to use one lifeline to poll audience members during the final round of questions. The competition was exciting and entertaining, and in the end, Pete Gaska was named the 2010 eXtreme Analyst of the Year. The competition was stiff, but Pete pulled through and walked away the reigning champion. So from all of us on Team GXP, congratulations, Pete!
All in all, the 2010 conference offered knowledge, the ability to build relationships, exchange invaluable information — and plenty of amusement, proving that learning and fun can coexist. This year will be hard to top, but we hope that next year is even better. And more important, we hope to see you at the 2011 BAE Systems GXP International User Conference and Professional Exchange.
