22nd Esri International User Conference--To Celebrate a Strong GIS Community!

The Changing Face of GIS

As we all struggle to recover from the terrible events of September 11 and remember the sacrifices of so many people that day, we must also face the future. We at Esri want to acknowledge the tremendous efforts and dedication of the hundreds of people in New York and Washington, D.C., who stepped forward to lend their hands in the recovery efforts. Many of them were Esri users as well as our own staff. GIS has played a very important role in supporting the recovery process, and as we look forward to the year 2002 and the 22nd Annual Esri International User Conference, the topics of homeland security, disaster management, and emergency services will be important themes on our agenda. We will make special efforts to acknowledge the valuable work of the many users who deal with these issues and concerns in their jobs every day, giving them the opportunity to show GIS in the real-life role of saving lives and protecting property. The events of September 11 have brought some of their daily activities to the forefront of our attention, and the User Conference will give them an opportunity to share their experiences, insights, and newfound knowledge.

Sharing Real-World Experience

Sharing real-world experience is what the User Conference is all about. Analysts and consultants, trailblazers and newcomers, students and teachers, and planners and visionaries apply spatial thinking to everyday endeavors and share a wealth of practical information, offer ideas for creative problem solving, and help each other achieve GIS goals. Many users prepare and display maps, demonstrate user applications, and present papers that offer everything from how they solved specific problems to big-picture concepts. This is and always will be a "users" conference where you, our users, are the reasons why we do what we do, and why we spend the year preparing and organizing the agenda and activities to support you in the important work you do with GIS to make a real difference in the world. GIS is alive and well in our world, and we at Esri appreciate your continued support of what we do for you. The User Conference gives us a chance to give something back to you. Already, more than 900 of you have submitted abstracts for paper presentations.

While the 2002 User Conference will include many of the programs and activities that have proven so popular over the years--the technical workshops, Exhibit Pavilion, user paper presentations, and much more--expect an emphasis on the role of GIS in sustainable development and disaster management as well as homeland security. New software, faster machines, and the Internet have all worked to bring GIS people from around the world together to solve common problems.

Preconference Seminars

Get warmed up for the User Conference! More than 2,000 people are expected to attend more than 30 preconference seminars on practical subjects the weekend prior to conference week, Saturday and Sunday, July 6-7, 2002. You may choose from several half-day or full-day workshops on specific technical topics and areas of interest. Registration for these seminars is separate from User Conference registration and requires additional action. Sign up for one or more seminars by visiting our Web site at www.esri.com/uc. The registration deadline is May 10, 2002.

Esri Education User Conference 2002

Educators from around the world will gather July 5-7, 2002, for the Second Annual Esri Education User Conference (EdUC). Last summer more than 400 K-12 teachers, college and university instructors, school administrators, librarians, and museum professionals from more than 20 countries shared their experiences of using GIS in the classroom for research, public access, and planning and administration. For 2002, even more attendees are expected to participate in nearly 200 presentations, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops. Dr. Michael Goodchild of the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA) is scheduled to present the opening keynote address. This year's event also includes a special track focused on the upcoming bicentennial of the Lewis & Clark expedition and the geospatial education and research activities associated with this important commemoration. Gerard Baker, superintendent of the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery II Project with the National Park Service, will provide the closing address. For more information, visit www.esri.com/educ or e-mail educ2002@esri.com.

User Paper Presentations, Technical Workshops, Map Gallery, Exhibit Pavilion, and Esri Showcase