GITA UK

We are pleased to announce the first steps towards the formation of a GITA (Geospatial Information & Technology Association) Affiliate in the United Kingdom. This will provide a home to a growing membership that has shown interest in the GITA organisation.

On the 24th June 2007, a number of key players in the geospatial market (including the UK’s Association of Geographic Information (AGI) met to discuss how best to formulate an Affiliate that would aim to create an inclusive and close working relationship with the existing geospatial professional bodies in the UK. At the same time this will provide the UK with access to an increasingly global network of like-minded professionals.

Mr. Chris Stoltz, CEO of GITA Australia/New Zealand and Mr. Bob Samborski, Executive Director of GITA North America, were on hand to lead a discussion about the international role of GITA and answer questions about the association’s programs and activities in their respective countries. GITA’s focus on energy and utility-based solutions provides reach across the globe and the opportunity to integrate the UK within a knowledge-sharing community to work with those experiences similar challenges in implementing geospatial technologies and a platform for disseminating their successes and understanding.

Key outcomes of the meeting were:
• A GITA UK be established;
• Follow-up to the initial meeting with the action necessary to commenceworking with UK geospatial professionals and other professional bodies.
• GITA will work closely with the AGI, initially to deliver two presentations at AGI’s September conference (one on "Return on Investment in GIS" and the other on a mutually agreed upon subject to be determined);
• GITA North America and GITA Australia & New Zealand will liaise with the AGI and be the contact for AGI and GITA relations until GITA UK is formed.

It is a sign of maturity in the industry that GITA and AGI can work cooperatively in the best interests of their respective constituencies. "On the surface it might appear that AGI and GITA are competitive", Mr Samborski stated. "However, GITA has historically had a far greater focus and capacity in addressing the geospatial interests of those working in the energy and utility sector.” A small group from the meeting will now undertake the necessary steps to properly constitute GITA UK and offer memberships to interested individuals and corporations within a couple of months.

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