Map Middle East, expanding geospatial horizons in Middle East region

An initiative of GIS Development - a geospatial media company, Map Middle East has evolved and emerged as the single regional forum for geospatial community for almost five years now.

Middle East is one of the most strategic regions of the world. With an almost perfect development setting, adequate and latest infrastructure and growing investments, the region is geared to be the next destination for knowledge economy and technical leadership.

Map Middle East aims to firmly place 'geospatial knowledge' at the heart of economic agenda of the Middle Eastern and North African nations. Map Middle East serves as a podium for the geospatial community to share the latest developments in the field of geospatial information, technology and applications to a large gathering of people, which include top decision makers, existing as well as prospective users, academicians, vendors, policy makers and representatives of various regional and international organizations.

Map Middle East has been pioneering the efforts to promote the understanding and awareness of geospatial information as a key component of any strategy towards achieving economic growth and the nations of the region have started embracing geospatial technologies and sciences assertively.

Since its inception, Map Middle East conferences have been stationed at Dubai, however, observing the nature of other Map Series of conferences organised by GIS Development, it can be noted that the venue of the conferences in other markets have been changing to showcase these technologies in different parts of the region. Thus, to explore the possibilities of the newer destinations in the Middle East this year, Map Middle East is moving to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Sanjay Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, GIS Development said, "Abu Dhabi has emerged as a dedicated economic destination with many market opportunities for geospatial industry. We are glad that our industry and government stakeholders are very positive about Abu Dhabi as a new destination for Map Middle East 2009."

"The latest Abu Dhabi's Vision 2030 master plan presents many new and exciting opportunities for the use and advancement of geospatial technologies and applications as well. I am confident that like the previous years, this year too, Map Middle East will serve as a knowledge hub for the geospatial community and its user segments in the region," he added.

The theme for this year's Map Middle East 2009 is Geospatial@WORK. Geospatial technologies have become an integral part of almost every aspect of our life that can associate itself with a 'Latitude/Longitude' coordinate. Governments and private organisations around the globe have realised the importance of being 'Geospatial Aware' and are investing in adopting and implementing geospatial technologies as a component to their existing or new work flow management systems. Geospatial@WORK will focus on What? Where? How? Geospatial technology and community is evolving and what lies ahead in the future.

It will emphasise on the way geospatial technologies are being implemented through symposiums on Design and Engineering and Utilities and in seminars such as, Oil and Gas, Governance and SDI and Geospatial Technology Development and Trends.