Singapore, 15th MAY 2009 –GIS Development and Singapore Land Authority (SLA) have teamed up to organise Asia’s largest geospatial conference; “Map Asia 2009”. The conference and exhibition will be held from 18 – 20 August at Singapore’s Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre. This will probably be the biggest gathering in Asia of the international geospatial community with an expected attendance comprising of geospatial professionals and practitioners across the globe. This is the 1st time that Singapore is hosting the Map Asia conference. The organizers are delighted that the Conference is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) under the “Business Events in Singapore” (BEiS) incentive scheme.

2 The theme of the conference is “Connecting Geospatial Communities- Creating New Dimensions.” This theme was chosen to highlight the new dimensions that geospatial tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have created, or can create, for businesses and Government in their strategic planning and business operations. The conference agenda will comprise topical issues such as spatial economics, e-city and location-based services.

3 Vincent Hoong, Chief Executive, Singapore Land Authority said: “SLA is delighted that Singapore has been chosen to host this year’s edition of the Map Asia Conference. This gathering of some of the world’s leading geospatial experts and professionals is timely as Singapore steps up its geospatial drive. The Conference will be a useful platform for the international geospatial community to share industry knowledge and experience, discuss the latest global trends and issues and provide updates on the developments taking place across world. The business community and the public will also gain an insight into the geospatial industry and how it is transforming businesses and society in general.”

4 Sanjay Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, GIS Development said: “With this collaboration with SLA, we are sure to provide the companies with a unique opportunity to reach out to a global audience with their company message. Both the companies have made tremendous contribution to the development of geospatial technologies in the Asian market. We are confident that Map Asia 2009 will prove as an apt platform for companies to market their services to the target audience and for delegates to develop a broader perspective on the application and usage of geospatial technologies.”

5 With platinum sponsors, ESRI (USA) and DigitalGlobe; supporting organizations like Infocomm Development Authority, Open Geospatial Consortium, Land Surveyors Board, Singapore and Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers; knowledge partners National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University; media partners Asian Surveying Mapping, Geo Connexion and Geo Informatics, pledging their support and participation, the organisers are confident that Map Asia 2009 will attract delegates ranging from business users to government to academics to students.

6 Many local and international exhibitors have expressed interest in participation, including Erdas, AAMHatch, and Trimble. Plenary speakers include Ed Parsons, Geospatial Technologist of Google, Kwoh Leong Keong, Director - Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing, National University of Singapore, Bryn Forsburgh, Vice President of Trimble, US and Prof. Dr. Orhan Altan, President of International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.

$12m national spatial data infrastructure

7 The geospatial industry is rapidly expanding in Asia with many businesses establishing a base here to grow their Asian business activities. Singapore has to focus on capacity-building in order to support this fast-growing industry. On its part, the Singapore Government, through SLA, has initiated the development of a $12-million national spatial data infrastructure called the Singapore Geospatial Collaborative Environment (SG-SPACE). Participants will have a unique opportunity to learn more about SG-SPACE at Map Asia 2009.

Issued by:
GIS Development and Singapore Land Authority
18 May 2009