From Scandinavia to the West Indies, GIS user communities are located far and wide. Yearly events held by Esri distributors worldwide provide users with the opportunity to explore geospatial technology together. Both GIS experts and newcomers from a variety of industries gather for ArcGIS software demonstrations and updates, briefings on current trends, and innovative solutions for their organizations and societies.

"It's about getting together," says Jack Dangermond, Esri president. "International user conferences provide a place where users can collaborate wholeheartedly and effectively, promoting thought and celebrating achievement."

22nd Annual European User Conference

More than 1,000 users visited Stockholm, Sweden, last September for the Esri European User Conference (EUC). For three days, GIS professionals learned and discussed geospatial technology in the City Conference Centre, one of Scandinavia's largest convention venues, and the Norra Latin Building. Organized by S-GROUP Sverige AB, Esri's distributor in Sweden, EUC offered a cosmopolitan setting for attendees to network and expand their GIS knowledge base.

Presentations were given by Jack Dangermond; David Maguire, Esri chief scientist; and Swedish explorer Fredrik Stang, who climbed the highest peak on each of the world's seven continents in seven months. Technical sessions were paralleled by user presentations with industry tracks ranging from transportation to health and more than 30 business partners. The gala dinner took place in the ballroom of Stockholm City Hall, where the annual Nobel Peace Prize Banquet is held.

The 2008 EUC will be combined with the 2008 Esri Middle East & North Africa User Conference in London, England, October 28–30. To learn more about the 2007 EUC experience, visit www.esri-sweden.com/euc2007. Watch for updates on the 2008 joint event in the United Kingdom by visiting www.esriuk.com/emea2008.

10th Annual Middle East & North Africa User Conference

October 2007 was the first time attendees of the Esri Middle East & North Africa User Conference (MEAUC) met in the Sultanate of Oman. Hosted by Esri Muscat and Khatib & Alami and Partners, the conference took place at the Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, a seaside Shangri-la hotel. MEAUC drew professionals from more than 15 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, offering visitors a backdrop of the Gulf of Oman.

The conference was held under the patronage of the Minister of National Economy, Deputy Chairman of Financial Affairs and Energy Council for the Sultanate of Oman. To launch the event, Jack Dangermond's keynote address was followed by several presentations given by high-level executives from the surrounding regions, including the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.

Participants were able to hear more than 45 user presentations and see more than a dozen exhibitors' products and solutions. Session attendees learned about ArcGIS software, user tips and tricks, and Esri products on the horizon. To discover more about the 2007 MEAUC experience, visit www.meauc.com. For information about the next MEAUC, hosted in conjunction with the 2008 EUC, visit www.esriuk.com/emea2008.

14th Annual Latin American & Caribbean User Conference

Invited to the Dominican Republic, GIS users congregated in tropical weather for the combined fall 2007 Esri Latin American & Caribbean User Conference. Held at the Hotel Meli� Santo Domingo, the user conference attracted attendees from more than 20 countries to discuss GIS and its effectiveness in aiding economic development.

"This conference is about learning how to use GIS as a tool to understand and boost the economic development of Latin American countries and the Caribbean islands," says Jack Dangermond, Esri president. Carlos Salman, CEO of SIGSA, Esri's distributor in Mexico, says, "It is a goal of ours to convey how to use GIS as an inventory tool of poverty in Latin America."

The gathering provided a forum for GIS professionals from various fields to learn and share about this vital tool in fighting poverty and developing economies. The visitors attended demonstrations of recent GIS advancements and partnered with their colleagues, sharing successes achieved and obstacles encountered. Esri staff also gave pre- and postconference training sessions and technical workshops in Spanish. The next Latin American User Conference will be in Santiago, Chile, October 1–3, 2008.

3rd Annual Asia Pacific User Conference

Esri Japan Corporation is preparing a wide selection of informative, intriguing meetings, the latest technology updates, and plenty of experience sharing for GIS users in the Asia Pacific region January 17–18, 2008. Held at the Tokyo International Forum, the Esri Asia Pacific User Conference (APUC) will take place simultaneously with the GIS Community Forum (GCF), Esri Japan's local user conference. Together, the events are expected to attract around 2,300 attendees, Asia's largest gathering of GIS professionals.

The 2008 APUC is dedicated to discovering more about the geographic approach to decision making. During the conference, users will connect to share their GIS success stories, troubleshoot challenges, and innovate ways to do business better across companies, industries, and societies.

More Information

For a complete listing of Esri events, both international and within the United States, visit www.esri.com/events.