Redlands, California-All six New England states and New York will put geographic information system (GIS) technology on center stage for GIS Day, November 16, 2005. Games, open houses, lectures, and a host of other activities will spread the word about the power of the innovative technology and its critical presence in daily life.
GIS is a computer-based mapping tool that takes database information about a location, including streets, buildings, water features, and terrain, and turns it into visual layers. The ability to see and analyze geographic features on a map gives users a better understanding of a particular location. In turn, planners, analysts, and others can make informed decisions about their communities, the environment, and businesses.
Throughout the world, GIS is used to solve problems related to the environment, health care, land use, business efficiency, education, and public safety. GIS tools help users efficiently plan how to deliver power to homes, define routes for police to patrol neighborhoods, and find the fastest routes for fire trucks to get to emergencies. The technology is also a key tool to aid communities in other emergency situations. It is also used at the national level to support many homeland security initiatives, map the debris field following the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy, and help with recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Held each year on the Wednesday of National Geographic Society’s Geography Awareness Week, GIS Day is a global event that celebrates the technology and extends awareness of its important contributions in science, technology, information, and the humanities. The event is a reflection of the enthusiasm and commitment of individual GIS users everywhere. Although the official date of GIS Day 2005 is November 16th, GIS users and communities are encouraged to host events throughout the year.
GIS Day 2004 was a milestone as all six New England states and New York participated for the first time. Although some of the states have proclaimed GIS Day in past years, 2005 is only the second year all seven states are participating, unifying the region’s support of this important technology. Participating cities include Boston and Worcester, Massachusetts; Montpelier, Vermont; Hartford, Connecticut; Albany, New York; and Manchester, New Hampshire. Eight other U.S. states also proclaimed GIS Day 2004.
Last year’s GIS Day included more than 900 registered events in 73 countries around the world. There were more than 30 registered events in the northeast region last year, including the University of New Hampshire’s annual Geo-Spatial Science Conference and College Fair, a conference hosted by Massachusetts Geographical Information System, and events at elementary schools in Pittsford and Patchogue, New York.
To register a GIS Day 2005 event or to find an event near you, log on to www.gisday.com. The site contains information about states, municipalities, schools, and other organizations celebrating GIS Day.
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About GIS Day GIS Day is an annual event held as a part of the National Geographic Society’s Geography Awareness Week and Geography Action! Initiative. GIS users are encouraged to hold events all year long despite GIS Day’s official November date. The international grassroots event promotes geographic literacy in schools, communities, and organizations and enables GIS users and vendors to open their doors and sponsor events that spread knowledge about the capabilities of GIS technology and the importance of geography throughout their communities. For GIS Day event registration, support, and ideas or to find a GIS Day 2004 event near you, visit www.gisday.com.
About ESRI Since 1969, ESRI has been giving customers around the world the power to think and plan geographically. The market leader in GIS, ESRI software is used in more than 300,000 organizations worldwide, including each of the 200 largest cities in the United States, most national governments, more than two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies, and more than 5,000 colleges and universities. ESRI applications, running on more than one million desktops and thousands of Web and enterprise servers, provide the backbone for the world’s mapping and spatial analysis. ESRI is the only vendor that provides complete technical solutions for desktop, mobile, server, and Internet platforms. Visit us at www.esri.com.
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