"Many geospatial technologies will be impacted by three and four dimensional geographic information systems (3D GIS). Some technologies like global positioning systems (GNSS), remote sensing and laser based technologies will enjoy a thrust forward as new forms of data capture, management, analysis and representation are supported through thinking about applications in 3D. Visualisation will be significantly impacted because 3D and 4D analysis will propell new representations into the limelight. We are truly entering a new phase of exploration and discovery in the geospatial sector. " - Jeff Thurston, editor, Europe, ME and Africa - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The 2009 ESRI International User Conference took place in San Diego, Calif., from July 13-17. This year's event attracted more than 12,000 people this year, with the theme, "GIS: Designing Our Future". Sustainability was again a strong theme in the plenary session as well as throughout the conference program.

The annual Geoinformatics Forum Salzburg (GI Forum 2009) was held at University Salzburg in Austria  July 7 - 10. About 1000 people attended the English speaking event which is combined with the Deutsche language AGIT 2009 event. GI Forum is a GIScience focused event with a strong educational component and AGIT is oriented around applications involving new discovery, research and education involving geoinformatic related technologies.

The concept of the GeoWeb has been gaining ground for some time, but the full vision is only just beginning to be addressed. V1 editor Matt Ball spoke with Ron Lake, founder and president of Galdos Systems, and creator of the GeoWeb Conference, about the current status of the GeoWeb, and priorities for current development efforts.

Satellite imagery continues to grow in importance as a primary source of intelligence for decision making across many industries. V1 Magazine editor Jeff Thurston interviewed Rob Lees, Managing Director for Spot Image Australia (left) and  Hugues Pavie, Managing Director for Spot Image in China (right) in Toulouse, France recently. Both regions are experiencing considerable growth in their respective markets and account for significant levels of overall Spot Image revenue.