As this year's Conference Chair, I am delighted to invite you to respond to our 2010 conference Call for Papers.

The Association for Geographic Information's annual conference is the biggest independent geographic and location information conference in the UK. It is delivered by the UK and Europe's largest location focused membership association.

AGI GeoCommunity '10 will bring together several hundred decision makers, opinion setters, practitioners and consumers and vendors who are interested in hearing how the power of location and geographic information technologies can deliver new insight into their current, and anticipated, ways of working.  In a time of economic challenge, this conference provides all attendees with a real opportunity to make the most of their organisations' stretched resources by hearing and sharing views on the latest legislation, business drivers, public policy developments and information management practices.  For those interested in gaining or maintaining their competitive  advantage, driving efficiencies in service delivery  or meeting compliance  challenges, this is the premier chance to take innovation and insight 'back to the shop floor'.

AGI GeoCommunity '10 will provide all attendees with an outstanding opportunity reach out to geographic information experts and consumers, to share and gain insight and to drive the many debates which will be taking place during the event. All delegates will be able to develop and enhance their skills through the hands-on conference training and education programme - whether you are a 'geo' expert or newcomer, there will be a wide range of learning opportunities for all.

As a speaker at AGI GeoCommunity '10 you will have the finest possible opportunity to raise the profile of your work and organisation by sharing your ideas; describing your activities or by celebrating success and outstanding practice. Sharing, listening, learning and networking with your peers (existing and new) at the event, will be one of the most significant personal development activities you can engage in during 2010. Speakers also qualify for a reduced price delegate package as recognition of your contribution.

The structure of the conference will be based around the themes and topics in the attached listing. The range of topics has been designed to stimulate your thinking; however, we will consider related topics which address our over-arching theme of 'Opportunities in a Changing World'.

The Conference Committee is looking for papers that demonstrate subject matter expertise; an understanding of the geographic data/ approaches used - and the context in which they sit; innovative thinking; well constructed arguments and importantly, clearly articulated benefits, outcomes or lessons learned.  With over 650 delegates last year, you will be facing a great cross-section of professionals from across the economy, all of whom will be looking to you for insight and tangible evidence to help identify new 'location enabled' opportunities.

The most pertinent, testing question the conference committee will ask when considering all submissions will be 'so what?' If your work matches our themes and overall focus, and can demonstrate real benefits, we positively encourage your submission.

Now well established as a residential conference, AGI GeoCommunity has become a highly acclaimed and successful event. Last year we encountered more high quality paper submissions than ever before. In 2010 we look forward to surpassing our expectations again. I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your interest.


Simon Doyle
AGI Conference Chair 2010