The 2008 ESRI Federal User Conference will be held February 20–22, 2008, in Washington, D.C., at the Washington Convention Center. The FedUC is the largest geospatial conference dedicated to federal professionals and is designed to show how ESRI’s geographic information system  technology is used to solve problems and improve government operations nationwide.

 

More than 1,800 Professionals Expected to Gather in Washington, D.C. to Discuss Geospatial Technology

 

Redlands, California"•The 2008 ESRI Federal User Conference (FedUC) will be held February 20–22, 2008, in Washington, D.C. at the Washington Convention Center. The FedUC is the largest geospatial conference dedicated to federal professionals and is designed to show how ESRI’s geographic information system (GIS) technology is used to solve problems and improve government operations nationwide.

Attendees will be updated on GIS software advances, peruse state-of-the-art solutions that support geospatial lines of business, and discuss industry-specific challenges with colleagues and ESRI staff. Visiting professionals will hear from others who are successfully using GIS to support agency missions as well as see demonstrations of how GIS can be used to share information, reduce costs, increase productivity, and enhance decision making.

“You will leave FedUC with ideas you can put to work immediately in your agency,” says Christopher Thomas, government industry  solutions manager, ESRI. “If you’re in federal, state, or local government-a decision maker or an end user-the resources and opportunities at FedUC abound for you. It’s a place to get educated, collaborate, and start or further your GIS projects.”

The Plenary Session will launch the conference when ESRI President Jack Dangermond speaks about the future of GIS in government and presents examples of organizations using the technology to make a difference for the country. The opening session will also include keynote presentations by Dirk Kempthorne, secretary of the Department of the Interior, and James Cason, associate deputy secretary of the Department of the Interior. Kempthorne will share how GIS is making it possible for policymakers, scientists, and the public to do more, and Cason will discuss how to lead the charge of implementing the enterprise GIS vision.

 FedUC attendees will learn how the geographic approach allows them to

·         Base decisions on reliable, more complete information

·         Clearly identify issues in mission-critical situations and respond intelligently

·         See the bigger picture, visualizing patterns and trends

·         Share information with colleagues, other organizations, and the public

More than 80 exhibitors at the GIS Solutions EXPO, and information-rich displays in the Map Gallery, will showcase the latest GIS technology and applications. During technical workshops, ESRI staff will explain current technologies and offer tips and tricks on using ArcGIS software. Paper sessions will give participants deeper insight into topics ranging from global affairs to health care. Other highlights this year will include user group meetings and the addition of several new sessions geared toward managers. To find out more about the 2008 FedUC, visit www.esri.com/feduc.

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