Seize the Opportunity to Sharpen and Showcase GIS Skills at the 2009 Esri International User Conference
By Caitlyn Mitchell, Esri Writer
 Thousands of people from around the world converge on the San Diego Convention Center every summer for the Esri International User Conference. |
With almost 300 technical sessions and 600 paper sessions on the agenda, Esri software users will get a wealth of opportunities to become much more knowledgeable about GIS at the 2009 Esri International User Conference (Esri UC).
"(It's) a must-see for GIS professionals who want to know anything and everything about their career field," Donovan Powers, a GIS administrator for the State of Ohio, said about his Esri UC experience.
The Esri UC will be held July 13-17 and, as in previous years, the week at the San Diego Convention Center promises to be action packed. Register today.
Besides attending technical sessions and user presentations, attendees can watch dozens of software demonstrations, ask questions at the product islands, and talk with Esri technical staff and business partners about geospatial technology solutions. A hands-on Learning Center will be set up, where people can take Esri software for a 'test drive.' Attendees also can visit the Defense, Federal, and Public Safety showcases, where companies and government agencies show how they put GIS into action. Register today.
 Youths demonstrate their GIS projects during the Plenary Session. |
Attendees will start the week at the inspiring Plenary Session, where they will hear Esri President Jack Dangermond talk about Esri's vision for GIS and the next two software releases, ArcGIS 9.3.1 and ArcGIS 9.4. They will watch demonstrations of the latest advances in GIS and listen to compelling speakers. Young people who have learned to use GIS will talk about their inspiring projects.
Users will show peers how they use GIS by submitting screenshots, videos, and photographs that illustrate their work. The images and videos may be shown during the plenary. Learn more about the submission process.
Attendees will meet with Esri staff and others who work in the GIS community during the special interest, regional, and user group meetings and within the Exhibit Pavilion and Esri Showcase areas.
The Esri Map Gallery will encompass a remarkable collection of work from the Esri community and include an elaborate special display area. Users are highly encouraged to showcase their maps, too. Please submit your work by June 8, 2009.
Attendees may also participate in the many social activities including a 5K run and a golf tournament. Friends and family members are welcome to experience the conference during Family Night and the ever-popular Thursday night party on July 16.
 At the Esri UC, attendees get to see the latest geospatial technology in action. |
"The conference is a remarkable place for the GIS community to gather and share their work," said Dangermond. "Attendees will gain a wealth of knowledge that will help them more effectively leverage their organization's GIS investments."
The rich learning environment, coupled with the beautiful San Diego location, makes attending the Esri UC an ideal experience for anyone who works in the GIS community.
Esri also will host a series of instructional pre-conference seminars from July 11-12, including Creating Effective Web Maps, Planning and Managing a GIS, and Concepts of Geographic Analysis using ArcGIS Desktop.
Concurrent events will include the Esri Education User Conference (EdUC), the Esri Homeland Security GIS Summit (HSSummit), the Esri Survey & Engineering Summit (SEG Summit), and the Esri Business GIS Summit.
