AGI GeoCommunity '10: Opportunities in a Changing World

The theme for this year's AGI annual conference is 'AGI GeoCommunity '10: Opportunities in a Changing World'. The conference builds on the outstanding success of AGI GeoCommunity format - it deals head-on with the challenges faced by and tremendous opportunities available to, geographic information producers, consumers and innovators. The event is already a 'must attend' for decision makers, practitioners and thought leaders from all aspects of the public and private sectors.

AGI GeoCommunity is the largest and most comprehensive independent conference in the UK digital mapping and data calendar. The conference provides tangible insight and leadership in current geographic information and location based issues via a range of keynote addresses and conference papers as well as by hands on training and face to face delegate networking.

'Innovate - Connect - Succeed'

This year the theme will be looking at how location can be at the core of successful service delivery and how new ideas can be made a reality.

AGI will be shortly releasing the Conference Call-for-Papers and will be looking in particularly at the following themes as drivers for content:

• Public Policy to be drawn from, Government consultations and reviews; UK Census of Population 2011; General Election 2010; INSPIRE; Climate change and sustainability; Total Place; the opening of government data ('making public data public'); the role of the state versus industry as information creators and consumers.
• Governance and management to be drawn from, rapid decision making; management information and business intelligence; managing in a downturn; driving change; business continuity; keeping up with the competition; maintaining an advantage.
• Compliance and regulation to be drawn from, risk identification, mitigation and management; UK and European legislation; carbon reduction; business continuity; information commissioner oversight.
• Data access and new opportunities to be drawn from, Information Commission; opening of government data; data.gov.uk; hyper-local information; augmented reality; new approaches via a combination of Software, Data, Infrastructure as a service; the provision of information in disaster and emergency situations; balancing data quality and data acquisition and ownership cost; volunteer generated information; attitudes to information use; new visualisations/ views.
• The drive for efficiency to be drawn from, Operational Efficiency Programme; supporting front line services ('Putting the Front-line First'); back-off rationalisation; cutting cost; smarter procurement and supply chain; the role of open and/ or free versus commercial options; quantifying savings; quantifying new gains.
• Information management and information assurance to be drawn from, information security; the balance of personal information collection versus public safety; the provision of information in disaster and emergency situations. Personal, government and commercial rights; securing and protecting information and data; business continuity; disaster recovery.

'At a time of great change and real challenge, many opportunities exist for anyone interested in location and place to look at new ways of delivering their organisations, shaping public policy or serving citizens' interests. AGI GeoCommunity '10 will be the focal point in 2010 for information management professionals, business leaders and technical specialists.', said Simon Doyle, AGI GeoCommunity '10 Conference Chair.

About AGI GeoCommunity '10

AGI GeoCommunity '10: Opportunities in a Changing World - will be held in Stratford-upon-Avon on September 28th to 30th 2010.

The AGI GeoCommunity series has a proven reputation as a 'must-attend' event for a range of service delivery managers and information management and technology professionals. Previous delegates and speakers have been drawn from Central and Local Government, Utilities, Health, Emergency Services, Infrastructure, Insurance, Marketing, Business Intelligence, Finance and Technology sectors.

The formal AGI GeoCommunity '10 conference will open on the 29th September and offer two full days of thought leadership, practical education, knowledge transfer and real world best practice and case studies. A pre-conference 'Icebreaker' evening event will be hosted by popular demand on 28th September 2010.

Attendance at AGI GeoCommunity '09 increased 5% against 2008, attracting 625 people. The residential format, introduced in 2007, is now well established and the event has proven its growth and sustainability.

AGI GeoCommunity '10 will offer a select number of sponsorship spaces to showcase new products and services and network with delegates both at the sponsors' exhibition pods and in the conference sessions and social events. The conference format will offer sponsors an unrivalled opportunity to deliver their corporate messages, meet and network with the key practitioners and influencers across public and private sectors.