PR -- The Association for Geographic  Information (AGI)
has used feedback from last year’s hugely successful 2007  conference to
shape the formation and content of this year’s event, which will  take place from
the 23rd to 25th September 2008 at the Holiday Inn, Stratford  Upon Avon. Over
90% of attendees polled at the 2007 conference expressed a  preference for
the newly introduced format of the UK’s largest combined annual  conference and
exhibition targeted at the geographic information community. The  event, which
has been the flagship event of the geographic information industry  for more
than ten years, attracted record numbers of practitioners, academics  and
policy makers with a world-class conference programme featuring  organisations
such as ESRI, Google, Pitney Bowes MapInfo and Ordnance  Survey. “The feedback we received from those who attended last  year’s event was
extremely positive and we have used these views to shape the  format and content
of this years event,” said Chris Holcroft, Director and CEO  of the AGI. “The
conference theme ‘Shaping a Changing World’ includes topical  issues such as
climate change, globalisation, data security, mobile technology,  3D
visualisations, legislative & policy drivers, business models and ROI,  all of which
are grounded in or central to the use of geographic information and  there will
be a packed programme of informative and stimulating presentations,  hands on
workshops, lively debate and networking opportunities.”   

GeoCommunity ’08: Shaping a Changing World, (www.agi2008.com) has  already
attracted support from high profile speakers including Sean Phelan,  founder of
MultiMap one of the world’s leading providers of online mapping and  location
based services which was acquired in 2007 by Microsoft. “There will be  the
usual mix of presentations including thought leaders from the UK and  overseas
together with practitioners and policy makers from the UK and Europe,” 
continued Holcroft. “However the Call for Papers is still open and we would  actively
encourage submissions from anyone with an involvement or interest in 
geographic information.” 

By securing sole occupancy of the  venue The AGI has made a significant
contribution to the development of the  event. “We are committed to providing
affordable delegate rates combined with  first class facilities for both conference
attendees and sponsor organisations,”  concluded Holcroft. “Those who can
book early will ensure onsite accommodation  with savings of up to 30%. Bookings
are already being taken. I would also  encourage organisations that are
interested in participating in the showcase  exhibition to contact us as soon a
possible to prevent disappointment. Even  though the event is some months away we
have sold over 50% of the available  space. ”