Developers, software architects, and decision makers interested in building GIS applications are invited to the first Esri Developer Summit. The event will be held March 17–18, 2006, at the Convention Center in Palm Springs, California. Experienced and new developers alike—including those who have yet to enhance their solutions by adding a GIS component—will gain an understanding of the value of spatially enabling their applications.

Regardless of the types of applications developed or the industry to which they are applied, there is a growing expectation for on-demand access to spatial data. Mapping and location-aware technologies are becoming the new interface for visualizing information. By examining relationships, connections, and patterns in data, questions that have been difficult to explain are answered and solutions to problems never imagined possible are made evident. Attending the Developer Summit will help prepare developers to build their next great GIS solution leveraging the Esri developer platform.

Breakout sessions covering desktop, embeddable, and server technologies will be offered to help developers learn firsthand how to leverage GIS technology into software development projects. Additional sessions will discuss patterns and best practices for integrating GIS with other technologies, such as enterprise resource planning, document management, and other services-oriented architectures. Sessions will be available for both intermediate and advanced developers.

The Developer Summit will provide a look into the future of the Esri developer platform and the GIS industry as a whole. Attendees will benefit from interacting with Esri industry managers and developers, networking with other GIS software developers from around the world, and learning how to plan for the ArcGIS 9.2 release.

Another key focus will be the Community Center, which has been designed for greater collaboration among summit attendees. Tech Talk areas will be designated for question and answer sessions where attendees can spend focused time asking questions of Esri experts following sessions or anytime a group wants to gather to map out ideas. Birds-of-a-Feather forums offer an opportunity for attendees to meet and network with other attendees with similar interests and with Esri staff. The summit will conclude with an evening social, providing a relaxed setting to discuss development ideas; network with Esri Business Partners who will be attending the Annual Esri Worldwide Business Partner Conference, March 18–21, in Palm Springs; and meet Esri industry, regional office, and development staff members.

For more information, visit www.esri.com/devsummit.