ESRI UC Blog

Get the Most out of the ESRI UC

ESRI-UC-Team — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:09:00 GMT

Experience an insightful discussion of what will be offered and where things are located at this year's event by watching the recorded seminar, Getting the Most out of the ESRI User Conference [Windows Media].

Key points :

What's happening during the conference week
Types of sessions
How to find what you are looking for
FAQs
Tips for your leisure time in San Diego

Register Onsite for the ESRI UC

ESRI-UC-Team — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:00:00 GMT

Online registration is no longer available, but you can register onsite in San Diego.

Visit www.esri.com/uc to learn more about this year's gathering, conference fees, and how to register onsite.

You can also sign up onsite for preconference seminars and concurrent events including the ESRI Education User Conference and the ESRI Survey & Engineering GIS Summit.

Questions? E-mail us at uc@esri.com. For questions related to your industry, contact the industry team.

Have You Entered the GIS in Action Video Contest?

ESRI-UC-Team — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:15:00 GMT

This brand new contest is now underway. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, take a moment to see how easy it is to enter.

View the behind-the-scenes video that documents the making of the movie that launched the contest. See how fun and easy it is to make your own video.

Visit YouTube and be inspired.

Do you think your use of GIS is too common to be interesting? Think again. You would be amazed by the many uses of ESRI's ArcGIS software, which is a good deal of what makes the ESRI UC so inspirational. So, have a little fun and let us in on what you're doing with GIS!

Did we mention there are prizes? Learn more about the contest and enter by July 25.

Dr. Bradley Doorn Addresses the Remote Sensing and GIS Summit

ESRI-UC-Team — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:05:00 GMT

Dr. Bradley Doorn will give the keynote address for the Remote Sensing and GIS Summit at the 2008 ESRI UC. Doorn serves as the remote sensing program manager for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and president-elect of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS).

At the USDA, Doorn manages the country's largest satellite imagery contract for the Global Agricultural Monitoring (GLAM) partnership program. GLAM was established with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the University of Maryland.

The program's purpose is to integrate NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data and products into an existing decision support system operated by the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). While GLAM focuses on agricultural monitoring programs, remotely sensed data and utilities are valuable for other industries and applications.

Doorn will discuss the expanding GLAM partnership with the Group on Earth Observations, a global network of agriculture monitoring programs, and how remotely sensed data and applications are important for agricultural monitoring worldwide, especially in light of the world food crisis.

Remote sensing data and systems is important for crop yield forecasts and can serve as an early warning system for regions suffering crop loss and food shortages. For example, MODIS was used to track the 2005 Kenyan drought and its effects on agricultural lands. This drought left up to 2.7 million people in need of food aid.

Remote sensing allows the FAS to collect almost unlimited quantities of agricultural data over a large geographic area, and in a very short time span, and analyze this data automatically. Because of this capability, remotely sensed data can be used for

Yield analysis before harvest
Crop identification and determination of key growth stages
Validation and verification of crops

Landsat imagery is used with ArcGIS Image Server to display information about different features such as vegetation-the brighter the red, the healthier the vegetation.

Learn more by attending the Summit on August 3 in Room 4 at the San Diego Convention Center. There's no extra cost to attend as long as you are registered for the ESRI UC, so be sure to sign up when you register for the conference.

See what else is in store for you and view the Summit agenda.

Plus, check out these related events:

Remote Sensing and GIS Summit Special Interest Group (SIG) Meeting
Wednesday, August 6, Room 23C of the SDCC
Remote Sensing Imagery Track
Thursday, August 7, Room 23B of the SDCC

New Podcasts

ESRI-UC-Team — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Listen to the latest additions in a series of informative ESRI UC podcasts now available online. Be up-to-date on conference events and industry highlights as shared by the voices of ESRI.

Mark Cygan, ESRI's industry solutions manager responsible for Remote Sensing, describes the first ever Remote Sensing and GIS Summit. Mark discusses the keynote speaker and gives tips on how to register. It's free for ESRI UC attendees, but if you want to attend the Summit you do have to register for it separately.

Randy Frantz, ESRI's telecommunications industry solutions manager, highlights conference sessions for the telecom industry and how solutions will be shared via demonstrations and user presentations. Of special interest and value, Randy notes the following pre-conference seminars:

Building the Next Generation Telecommunications
Introduction to ArcGIS Mobile SDK
Mobility

Lori Armstrong, ESRI's water/wastewater industry solutions manager, talks about the conference sessions and presentations available for the industry. She also invites users to be part of an important pre-conference meeting-Saturday, August 2-where attendees will discuss development of the new treatment plant data water models. E-mail Lori if you're interested in participating.

Listen now.

Tips for Building Relationships

ESRI-UC-Team — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:11:00 GMT

How often do you get to spend a week with 14,000 GIS users? Take advantage of this opportunity by developing relationships with other attendees.

Here are some ways to build your network at the conference.

Prior to the conference, visit the ESRI UC Facebook site. Go to http://www.facebook.com/ and search for the group Official ESRI UC 2008. Connect with users attending the conference and peruse behind-the-scenes content posted by ESRI staff.

Once on site, visit the Welcome Social on Sunday evening. Pick up your registration materials and meet other users in a casual setting.

Attend the Map Gallery Opening on Monday after the Plenary. Your fellow GIS users are doing amazing work. Check out all the maps and special displays to see cutting-edge projects and get ideas that you can use in your own GIS efforts.

Just when the conference seems too big, drop by a regional user group (RUG) or special interest group (SIG) meeting to gather with users from your area of the world and/or your industry.

To meet ESRI staff, visit the ESRI Showcase area in the Exhibit Pavilion. ESRI industry staff and product specialists will be on hand to help you in whatever way they can. While there, get to know ESRI Business Partners and representatives from professional associations.

Attend user presentations and meet the authors. Presentations are grouped into tracks by industry for learning from others, sharing ideas, and discovering new GIS applications.

Throughout the week there are plenty of social activities where you can meet other users.

The ESRI UC is your show. Take time to talk to someone about your conference experience or ask another attendee what they find interesting. You might be surprised how easy it is to strike up a conversation. The friends you make will enrich your experience.

Develop Your Presentation Skills at the ESRI UC

ESRI-UC-Team — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:30:00 GMT

Before you deliver your presentation in San Diego, would you like to practice and pick up a few tips? If so, head to the Speaker Prep Room (33-A). There you can work independently on your presentation or sign up for the Speaker Coaching Lab-a one-hour, one-on-one session with an ESRI instructor. During your appointment you can work on your presentation style, flow of ideas, or anything else that will help you get comfortable with your presentation.

The Speaker Prep Room hours are Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Computers and a printer will be provided or you can use your own hardware.

ESRI is also offering a Presentation Skills Workshop three times during the week. You'll get tips on topics like handling nervousness, making your presentation more appealing, and improving your body language.

The Presentation Skills Workshop is offered in Room 5 A/B

Monday 12:00 p.m.-1:15p.m.
Tuesday 7:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.
Wednesday, 7:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.

Add the workshop to your Agenda.

Reminder for all Presenters: All paper presenters must check-in at the Speaker Services Desk in the Grand Lobby of the San Diego Convention Center, outside Exhibit Hall D . If you are a pre-registered presenter, please pick up your badge at Express Registration and then proceed to check-in at the Speaker Services Desk. If you need to register on-site, you can both register and check-in at the Speaker Services Desk.

Access more presenter resources.

Student Assistantship Program Represents Future of GIS

ESRI-UC-Team — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:47:00 GMT

Each year, up to 60 students from around the world take part in the ESRI UC Student Assistantship Program. To qualify, students submit a resume, two letters of reference, a letter describing their interest in ESRI GIS, plus a description of what they hope to gain from the experience.

Accepted students spend the week monitoring sessions, staffing registration, and assisting with logistics of the world's largest GIS conference. They aren't paid. In fact, they receive only a modest stipend for meals and pay their own way. They do however receive a registration package, hotel accommodations, free time to attend sessions, and access to 14,000 ESRI software users.

"I learned that it is truly impossible to take everything in from attending just one UC," says Rene Hinojosa, a 2007 student assistant, at the time working on a master's degree in geospatial science from Stephen F. Austin State University. "It's like trying to take a drink of water from a fire hose."

Rene now works at ESRI as a database analyst for the Natural Resources Team. He and Nana Dei-then a graduate student at St. Cloud State University, Minnesota; now a database support analyst for ESRI's Geodata Team-met at last year's conference. "We all acted as a big family and didn't want the week to come to an end," says Nana. "We made professional and social friends for life."

The assistants for the 2008 ESRI UC were recently notified. Soon, a fresh crop of wide-eyed scholars will be slipping on their lanyards and making geospatial connections in sunny San Diego. When you see one, don't hesitate to introduce yourself. After all, these hard working collegians are the future of GIS.

Learn more, and if you're a student, think about applying for next year.

2007 ESRI UC Student Assistantship Program participants

EdUC Highlights

ESRI-UC-Team — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:07:00 GMT

The 2008 ESRI Education User Conference (EdUC) offers an array of highlights, from getting hands-on with GIS technology to taking a jaunt over to the 2008 ESRI International User Conference (ESRI UC) to access more resources and meet with users from other industries.

The EdUC Lounge is open in the Marriott Hotel Saturday afternoon, August 2, and all day Sunday, August 3. Drop by and check out the resources available as you connect with educators from around the world. Plus, meet directly with ESRI staff who specialize in GIS for education. The EdUC Lounge is the also an ideal place to relax after an active day.

Stop by the EdUC Hands-On Learning Center to try out prerecorded GIS lessons and hands-on exercises at your own pace. ESRI assistants will be available in case you have questions. Some of the topics covered include an introduction to ArcGIS Desktop, Getting Started with ArcObjects, and Introduction to Spatial Analyst.

The EdUC EXPO is open from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. Get together with educators involved in GIS as you peruse the latest in geospatial technology. Examine the products and services available and meet with exhibitors from a broad range of educational, nonprofit, government, and commercial organizations. Plus, the Welcome Reception begins at 4:30 p.m. in the EdUC EXPO and is an excellent way to meet and share ideas with colleagues who teach at a similar level or share your interests.

View the sponsors and exhibitors

The ESRI UC Showcase, held next door at the San Diego Convention Center, is a superb spot for finding a wealth of information. Bring your questions to the technical staff, visit with an ESRI Business Partner, or take a trip by the Education Solutions and Project Management islands. The ESRI UC Showcase will be open in Halls B, C, and D Tuesday through Thursday of the ESRI UC conference week.

Add any of these items to your agenda/planner. And don't forget to register for the conference by July 11, a week from Friday!

Hear What to Expect via Online Podcasts

ESRI-UC-Team — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:59:00 GMT

You can now check out several podcasts that will give you a technology keynote preview and helpful industry overviews for the ESRI UC. Listen as ESRI industry managers discuss their keynote sessions and share what hot topics, activities, and networking spots will be geared to your industry and interests.

Learn about what's new this year, highlights that can't be missed, places to unwind, and what issues and trends in the following industries will be addressed.

Commercial
Education
Engineering
Electric & Gas
Facilities Management
Health
Land Records
Petroleum
Retail
Survey

Plus, hear from Clint Brown, ESRI's director of software products, as he touches on what his technology keynote address, "A Framework for Implementing GIS on the Web," will explore-from recognizing opportunities to accessing valuable resources.

Be a step ahead. Listen to the 2008 podcasts.

Take the ESRI UC Preconference Survey

ESRI-UC-Team — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:59:00 GMT

Dear ESRI Users:

Thank you for planning to attend the ESRI User Conference in August. We are busily preparing and look forward to interacting with you at the conference.

Each year, we send you a survey to get your specific questions, issues, and concerns as they relate to our products, services, and the conference itself. I would be grateful if you would take a few minutes to complete this survey and share your ideas and feedback.

This information is very valuable to us; it helps us focus on what you feel is important. My senior staff and I will read all your comments and suggestions to look for ways that we can serve you better. We will respond by posting your collective questions and our answers online prior to the conference.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to seeing you in San Diego.

Jack Dangermond
President

Start Survey

GIS in Action Video Contest Just Announced

ESRI-UC-Team — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Since the ESRI UC is all about users, we're sponsoring a video contest to see how you're using GIS. Entering is easy:

Create an amateur video demonstrating GIS in action
Upload your video to a public video sharing site
Complete the submission form on or before July 25, 2008

Winners will be selected by a panel of ESRI employees on July 31, 2008, and announced at the 2008 conference.

Prize Packages

1^st Place ($125 value): Magnabrite magnifying glass page viewer, ESRI Map Book, ESRI 2Gb flash drive, ESRI baseball cap, ESRI mini optical mouse

2^nd Place ($85 value): ESRI Map Book, ESRI 2Gb flash drive, ESRI baseball cap, ESRI mini optical mouse

3^rd Place: ($45 value): ESRI 2Gb flash drive, ESRI baseball cap, ESRI mini optical mouse

Learn More

Actual prizes awarded are subject to availability

Network with Other Attendees on the Official ESRI UC 2008

ESRI-UC-Team — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:59:00 GMT

ESRI UC attendees have been asking for a way to connect with one another for years.

To help make this happen, we've set up a Facebook group so you can communicate with other attendees before, during, and after the conference.

This is a site for you, but the ESRI crew will be around if you want to connect with us too. We'll also be posting some behind-the-scenes content.

Go to http://www.facebook.com/ and look for the group Official ESRI UC 2008.

Image: Courtesy of Facebook

You Can Still Be Part of the Plenary: Submit Your Maps, Photos, or Videos by July 3

ESRI-UC-Team — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:00:00 GMT

The deadline for ESRI UC Plenary Session submissions has been extended to July 3.

Now is the time to send us your maps, photos, or videos so you can be included among the organizations and communities Jack Dangermond highlights during his opening presentation.

Share a visual example of your important work with geospatial technology.

Learn more and submit your own map images or 3D visualization projects today.

Stay on Solid Ground at the Technical Support Island

ESRI-UC-Team — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:00:00 GMT

As the seagull flies, it's less than a mile from the San Diego Convention Center across San Diego Bay to the shores of the Coronado. Often called an island, Coronado is actually a peninsula connected to the mainland by a long narrow strip of land known as the Silver Strand. Before 1969, vacationers heading for the five-star Hotel del Coronado or Navy staff reporting for duty on the peninsula's Naval Air Station had to travel by ferry or make the drive to the southern tip of the bay before traveling the highway north the length of the Silver Strand. Today, the voyage is a lot faster with the San Diego-Coronado Bridge creating a passage over the bay, from downtown San Diego to the heart of Coronado.

From August 4-8, Coronado won't be the only "island" in the San Diego area where travelers can find first-class accommodations and support. The ESRI UC may not offer turn-down service like the Hotel Del, but our Technical Support Island will help bridge the gap from swimming in a sea of software questions to standing on solid ground.

Located in the Exhibit Pavilion, the Technical Support Island provides one-on-one support for specific technical questions regarding ESRI products. Senior support specialists and technical staff from various ESRI departments are available by appointment and for walk-in service to answer your questions regarding ArcGIS, its extensions, customization, implementation, and printing issues.

Christie Pleiss, a technical advisor for ESRI's professional services division has been marooned at the Technical Support Island for many ESRI UCs, and adds that the island used to be called the Doctor's Office. "Some conference attendees were under the impression that the Doctor's Office provided actual first aid," says Pleiss. "In a sense, yes, but we provide first aid for technical GIS issues, not for the human body."

A limited number of appointments are available, so Pleiss recommends making an appointment at the Technical Support Island reception area. Appointments begin on the hour and half hour and are limited to 20 minutes. If your question takes longer to answer, arrangements can be made to further investigate your question at a later time during the ESRI UC or after the conference has concluded.

"The most rewarding part of being in the Technical Support Island is that there are often smaller customers, municipalities, universities, or colleges that send a few people to the ESRI UC and one of the goals is to get answers to their questions," says Pleiss. "The feeling you get when helping a user through questions and issues is really satisfying. It also gives those of us working a real perspective of the vast ways users implement and use our technology. Sometimes, the same people come back from year to year with new questions. It's nice to see familiar faces."

Whether you've sought refuge or first aid in the past, or you're a new visitor to the Technical Support Island, our knowledgeable crew will keep your familiar or unfamiliar face above water.

Photo: Courtesy of DISCOVERSD.COM