The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) announced that its Geospatial Infrastructure Solutions Conference (formerly annual conference) will feature 111 sessions focused on 13 infrastructure-related tracks and the Geospatial Dimensions of Emergency Response Symposium. The event is slated for March 9-12, 2008, at the Washington State Trade & Convention Center in Seattle, Washington.

“The compilation of technical sessions and seminars runs the gamut from traditional GIS usage to cutting-edge technology, how-to’s, and the transformation of GIS from an asset management tool to strategic system and protector of worldwide infrastructure,” said Mike Cerkas, 2008 Geospatial Infrastructure Solutions Conference chair.

New this year, eleven of the sessions will focus on green GIS. GITA as an organization also made the commitment to “go green” in its conference operations by printing conference materials on recycled paper and encouraging attendees to use recycle bins at the event.

The session track topics are Business Intelligence and Data Warehouse; Data Acquisition and Maintenance; Internet and Web Services; Public Sector; Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Response; Mobile Applications; Operations Management and Damage Prevention; New Technology Directions; Enterprise Architecture and System Integration; Organizational Impacts and Project Management; Planning, Design, and Engineering; and ROI/Business Case.

The Geospatial Infrastructure Solutions Conference Committee used input from the GITA Board of Directors and the Industry Trends and Analysis Group—along with suggestions from last year’s conference attendees—in selecting the topics.

The Geospatial Dimensions of Emergency Response Symposium’s program will consist of 12 sessions and two half-day seminars. To learn more about the Symposium, visit www.gita.org/ers.

The conference, noted for its high-quality education and unbiased approach, will also include 14 half-day seminars, user discussion forums, networking socials, panel deliberations, and an extensive product and service exhibition. The GITA Board of Directors, staff, and key stakeholders changed the name of this flagship event to the Geospatial Infrastructure Solutions Conference in the summer of 2007. To register and make travel arrangements, visit www.gita.org/gis.