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Annual Gathering Affirms Solid Future for GIS
ESRI's 1999 User Conference Tops the Charts Redlands, California-With more than 9,000 attendees, ESRI's 1999 International User Conference, held July 26-30, broke another attendance record making it the largest geographic information system (GIS) gathering ever. For the third year, San Diego played host to the annual conference, which attracted representatives from ninety-one countries and more than twenty industry sectors. This year's conference theme, "Sharing Geographic Knowledge," emphasized how widespread GIS has become. "GIS is going everywhere," said Jack Dangermond, ESRI's founder and president. "In fact, GIS will become the link between you as an individual and the world," he said. With further development on the Internet, Dangermond foresees that GIS will be the key mechanism for citizens to take an active role in local government as we continue along the information superhighway to a true societal GIS. Preconference seminars, sessions by ESRI development staff, user presentations, the Business Solutions Fair, and the GIS Solutions EXPO were among the many events scheduled for conference attendees. Unveiling the Future ArcInfo 8, ESRI's next generation of professional GIS software, made its debut at the opening session of the conference. Detailed presentations and demonstrations were given on many ArcInfo 8 features including its new object-oriented architecture, new user interface, geoprocessing server, ArcObjects, and the applications ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and ArcToolbox. Easy-to-use, fast, modern, and powerful, ArcInfo 8 makes sophisticated GIS even more accessible. While the depth of functionality of ArcInfo is extraordinary, new user interfaces and wizards make it easy by presenting GIS professionals with what they need when they need it. The conference also spotlighted other cutting-edge developments. Top-level ESRI executives gave presentations on several ESRI GIS software packages including PC ARC/INFO 4, ArcFM 8, ArcView GIS 3.2, MapObjects 2, ArcIMS 3, Atlas GIS 4.0a, and Maplex 3.3, a product of ESRI (UK) Limited. GIS for Oceans Dr. Sylvia Earle, internationally known marine biologist and author, delivered the keynote address at the conference plenary session. A passionate advocate for oceanographic studies, Earle expressed her deep concern regarding the accelerated pollution and overfishing of our oceans and her belief that GIS technology can play a major role in remediation efforts. "The ocean is the cornerstone of earth's life support system. For the first time in this pivotal period of history, we are beginning to realize how very little we actually know of the oceans. GIS provides a new approach to integrating information, which will enable us to have the opportunity to understand the oceans in entirely new ways," Earle said. GIS Achievers Recognized The annual user conference gives ESRI the opportunity to honor individuals and organizations for their exceptional work in GIS. At the opening session of the conference, Jack Dangermond presented the Lifetime Achievement in GIS award to Dr. Waldo Tobler. Tobler has spent more than thirty-five years teaching and researching analytical cartography and mathematical and computer modeling of dynamic geographic relations. ESRI's Special Achievement in GIS awards go to GIS sites that have made the most impact in society. This year, 122 ESRI software users stood out from more than 200,000 organizations worldwide. They were honored at a special ceremony during the conference. A regular feature of the conference, the Map Gallery celebrates the GIS achievements of the ESRI user community. More than 500 dynamically beautiful maps were entered in this year's event. A special exhibit at the gallery featured Internet and multimedia presentations. There were also many recreational activities for the conference goers including golf and tennis tournaments, the 5K Fun Run/Walk, and the GIS Kids Camp. "A Taste of India" wrapped up the week's events with an evening of fun, music, and lots of food- Indian style. For more than thirty years, ESRI has been the leading developer of geographic information system (GIS) software with more than 220,000 clients worldwide. ESRI also provides consulting, implementation, and technical support services. In addition to its headquarters in California, ESRI has regional offices throughout the United States, international distributors in more than ninety countries, and more than 900 resellers and developers. ESRI's goal is to provide users with comprehensive tools to help them quickly and efficiently manage and use geographic information to make a real difference in the world around them. ESRI can be found on the Web at www.esri.com. ESRI, PC ARC/INFO, ArcView, MapObjects, and the ESRI globe logo are trademarks of Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., registered in the United States and certain other countries; registration is pending in the European Community. GIS by ESRI, ArcInfo, ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcToolbox, ArcObjects, ArcFM, ArcIMS, and Atlas GIS are trademarks and www.esri.com and @esri.com are service marks of Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. Other companies and products mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners. http://www.esri.com |
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