AGI2007: Building a GeoCommunity, the UK’s largest dedicated event for the geographic information community, closed its doors amidst wide ranging praise and pledges of support for next year’s event. The conference, which has been at the centrepiece of the geographic information (GI) community for over 10 years, was for the first time fully residential and the event organisers, The Association for Geographic Information (AGI), had already announced record delegate registrations with the event a complete sell out and a waiting list for places. AGI2007: Building a GeoCommunity took place from the 19-20th September in Stratford Upon Avon.
‘In the run up to AGI2007: Building a GeoCommunity I was frequently asked ‘what is a GeoCommunity?” said Chris Holcroft, Director and CEO of the AGI. ‘I think I can at last provide a definitive answer. Our GeoCommunity comprised 500 GI enthused delegates representing nearly 200 organisations together with 21 sponsor organisations. When you put into the mix 4 plenary presentations, which were extremely ably led by the Conference Chairman Steven Feldman, 44 specially selected papers, 8 hands on workshop sessions, 2 big debates, 3 special interest group meetings and 2 advisory / launch sessions you get what can only be described as a flourishing GeoCommunity.’
Ed Parsons, Geospatial Technologist for Google commented in his well visited blog archive ‘AGI2007: Building a GeoCommunity was real opportunity for the industry to meet and discuss issues and developments, and to help develop a sense of community’ while other feedback included ‘A definite improvement on the format of previous years’ and ‘It’s been very interesting, the organisers clearly worked hard to get a varied agenda’. Jeff Thurston, globetrotting Editor of Vector1Media added, ‘The move to Stratford-Upon-Avon was a welcome move. This conference can be deemed as nothing less than a resounding success. In fact, this is one of the best conferences I have attended this year having a sense of buzz and vibe!’
AGI2007: Building a GeoCommunity was designed to bring together practitioners, academics, policy makers and suppliers with thought leaders from the UK and overseas. The conference featured plenary sessions from senior executives of Google, Pitney Bowes MapInfo, Ordnance Survey and ESRI together with a packed programme of information and stimulation presentations including the winner of Best Paper ‘Show me the money – making the CEO listen’ by Andy Coote and Keith Wishart of ESRI (UK). Papers authored by James Proctor of the Environment Agency, Andy Elliot of East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Craig Moulding of Calderdale District Council were awarded Highly Commended by the panel of judges.
The AGI2007: Building a GeoCommunity conference programme was complemented with a wide selection of hands on workshops co-ordinated by Training 4 GIS, the training and consultancy division of The GeoInformation Group, lively debate sessions and networking opportunities. The event also featured an Industry Showcase sponsored by leading players, notably platinum sponsors ESRI (UK), Ordnance Survey and Pitney Bowes MapInfo.
Source: Association for Geographic Information