Esri News -- ArcNews Spring 2002 Issue -- Celebrate GIS Day 2002

GIS Day logo Learn more and help teach the world about GIS technology and geography during the fourth annual worldwide GIS Day, which will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 20, 2002, as part of Geography Action 2002.

During GIS Day 2002, users of GIS technology will once again open their doors to schools, Businesses, and the general public to showcase real-world applications of this extraordinary technology. GIS users will display posters, give demonstrations and lectures, and host other events that allow people to see and experience firsthand GIS technology and its extensive applications and benefits. You can register now to be part of this worldwide educational mission that will teach millions of children and adults how GIS is being utilized.

Here are a few of the many events held for GIS Day 2001 in more than 80 countries and all 50 states in the United States.

Calgary, Canada

The City of Calgary hosted its third annual GIS Day event on November 14, 2001. Members of TriServices (police, fire, and EMS), engineering and parks departments, professional organizations and educational institutions were all on hand to show how their city uses GIS to fulfill a number of Business needs. Many grade school students came to City Hall to participate.

Legon, Ghana

The Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, in collaboration with the Centre for Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Services and SAMBUS Company Ltd., celebrated with three days of activities. The theme of their celebration was "Providing Geographical Solutions to National Development Problems." The event, the first of its kind in any technology area at the University, drew more than 700 participants. A highlight of the celebration was a police-escorted student float through the City of Accra, the capital of Ghana.

Anchorage, Alaska

At the University of Alaska, Anchorage, activities included the following: the National Park Service provided hands-on demos of GPS units with digital orthophoto quadrangles along a campus trail, University of Alaska Anchorage geomatics students explained how traditional surveying equipment works, faculty demonstrated photogrammetry equipment, and the United States Geological Survey showed digital Alaska maps.

GIS Day is principally sponsored by the National Geographic Society, the Association of American Geographers, the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science, the Library of Congress, the USGS, Sun Microsystems, and Esri.

Please "join the celebration" and help educate your community about GIS technology. We can work together globally to make our world a better place.

For event registration, support, and ideas; to read stories about other successful GIS Day 2001 events; or to find a GIS Day 2002 event near you, log on to www.gisday.com or send an e-mail to gisdayinfo@gisday.com.