The Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) Board of Directors recently approved a new URISA Caribbean chapter, and the association's Fourth Caribbean GIS Conference is scheduled for August 25�29, 2008, on Grand Cayman.

The URISA Board of Directors fully supports the continuation of this conference and is excited about the Fourth URISA Caribbean GIS Conference. Alan Jones, director of the Cayman Islands Lands and Survey Department, is the 2008 conference chair, and the Cayman government is very enthusiastic about hosting the event.

One of the developments that emerged after the first conference in Jamaica was the need for a strong network of Caribbean GIS professionals to share ideas, concerns, and breakthroughs. A group of members in the region recently organized to form the first Caribbean URISA chapter (www.urisa.org/caribbeanchapter).

The main objectives of the chapter are to

• Be a GIS knowledge network across the Caribbean.
• Provide a wealth of professional services for its members.
• Assist in the development of innovative professionals prepared for the future of GIS.
• Promote the use of GIS and facilitate the expansion of GIS use within the region.
• Influence government policy on the effective and efficient use of GIS in the region.

More Information

Visit the URISA Web site for conference updates and details at www.urisa.org.