In January 2007, GIS Development Private Limited, an India-based geospatial communication company, honored Jack Dangermond, president of Esri, with its Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented during the opening ceremonies of the 10th Map World Forum in Hyderabad, India. The Map World Forum is hosted and organized by GIS Development.

On receiving this award, Dangermond stated, "This is a great honor that really says much about the combined efforts of so many dedicated people working today in the GIS industry around the world."

Marking the 10th anniversary of the Map India series, GIS Development identified significant contributions made by outstanding professionals, organizations, and agencies in the advancement of GIS as a public commodity. GIS Development's panel of honorary advisors selected Dangermond for the Lifetime Achievement Award because of his significant work in developing GIS software. Applications include the use of GIS software tools, the dissemination of GIS into diverse industries and science fields, and the use of GIS to better manage the earth's resources.

"Our world is changing, presenting many challenges," stated Dangermond during the award ceremony. "GIS professionals, working together, will author and share the knowledge that will make a difference. It is my strong belief that this kind of collaboration will help us bring peace and prosperity and a more sustainable world."

The Map World Forum attracts professionals and government officials working in the remote-sensing, cartography, surveying, and information technology fields, in addition to science disciplines.

Map World Forum event topics this year included emerging business models for the geospatial industry, measuring the return on investment for GIS projects, the use of lidar technology, and GIS as a public utility. Dangermond was also a keynote speaker at this year's conference. His talk focused on the topic of shared geographic information.

Eng. Hussain Lootah, director general of the Dubai municipality, United Arab Emirates, addressed the Map World Forum as a keynote speaker.

More Information

GIS Development organizes events in countries across Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. It also publishes magazines, such as GIS Development Asia and GIS Development Middle East, and journals, as well as e-magazines and e-newsletters. For more information, contact Deepak Kamanakere Basavarajappa, subeditor, GIS Development Private Limited (e-mail: deepak.kb@gisdevelopment.net, Web: www.gisdevelopment.net).