About GIS Day

GIS Day Watch - June 2007

In This Issue

GIS Day Registration Open

GIS Day is November 14, 2007. GIS users are planning their events, and registrations are coming in.

Registering your GIS Day event is a great way to gain publicity for your GIS Day celebration. Registering your event on the GIS Day Web site automatically makes your event searchable from the GIS Day event finder; the general public or press looking to locate and attend an event will be able to find your event information.

Take a few minutes to register your event or search for an event near you.

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GIS Day/Youth Mapping Awards Now Available

GIS Day/Youth Mapping patches and pins are now available in the GIS Day Gear section of the ESRI Store. These items can assist your organization in promoting the importance of GIS to youth. Interested individuals or groups, such as the Girl Scouts of America, Boy Scouts of America, and 4-H Club, can use the patch and pins as part of their GIS Day celebrations and educational activities.

The vibrant eight-color embroidered patch can be hand sewn or ironed onto a vest, backpack, or hat. Both the GIS Explorer and Innovator pins are antique bronze in color and provide recognition of accomplishment in the use of GIS to both youth and adults. See items.

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New GIS Day Promo Video

This new video shows professionals, educators, and students the benefits of hosting a GIS Day event and describes the powerful role GIS Day plays in creating geographic awareness throughout our world. We hope this video will inspire you to celebrate GIS Day in your community. View video [WMV-7.9MB].

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GIS Day Special Interest Group Meeting

Thursday, June 21
Noon-1:00 p.m.
Room 24 B, San Diego Convention Center

If you are attending the ESRI International User Conference (ESRI UC), June 18-22, 2007, in San Diego, California, add the GIS Day Special Interest Group (SIG) meeting to your planner.

This meeting is a great opportunity for organizers to share their expertise and experience with others. Bring your lunch and your brilliant GIS Day ideas!

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First 2007 GIS Day Proclamation Received

Oklahoma governor Brad Henry proclaimed GIS Day in the state of Oklahoma. This special early GIS Day event, which also commemorated Oklahoma's 100th birthday/years of statehood, was held in the state capitol building on March 14. Read more about this event.

Find out how to get your governor or other local public official to make a GIS Day proclamation.

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Featured Event

Organization Promotes Use of GIS by Hosting Early GIS Day Event
The El Paso County, Colorado, Department of Transportation also celebrated GIS Day early with a public works open house in May. The goal was to show the public how the Department of Transportation utilizes GIS technology to serve the public's needs regarding streets and highways.

The event included a What Is GIS? presentation, transportation demos, and a mapping exercise on bear and elk sightings in the county. Attendees gained a better understanding of the department and GIS technology.

"The response to this event has been absolutely phenomenal," said Dianne Olson, El Paso County employee and GIS Day organizer. "I'm so glad that everyone is finally interested in GIS."

Find a GIS Day event near you.

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GIS Day Activities

Professionals, educators, and students, do you need ideas for an upcoming GIS Day event? If so, ArcLessons may be the resource you are looking for.

ArcLessons is a collection of GIS lessons that can be used during your GIS Day celebration. Browse a list of lessons by category or use the search tools to find lessons in your area of interest.

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GIS in Action

Los Angeles Fire Department Gets Better Information for Tactical Decisions with GIS
Steve Robinson of the Los Angeles, California, Fire Department worked with ESRI to create a custom mapping system to help assess risks, map fires, and better allocate resources. In addition to responding to fires, such as the Simi Valley fire in 2003 and the Topanga fire in 2005, the system has also been used for the 2006 Academy Awards, 2006 Grammy Awards, and other events where multiple agencies needed to have a common operating picture. Read the article.

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