CPD & CGeog networking event

Chartered Geographer & Continuing Professional Development Networking Event

Date: Thursday 15 March 2012
Location: Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), London

Time: 18.30 – 20.00

Free to AGI members

The Association for Geographic Information is co-running a networking evening for interested individuals to learn about the AGI CPD scheme as well as the accredited Chartered Geographer scheme.   The AGI CPD scheme is now free for AGI members.  The evening will also provide an excellent opportunity to meet and network with other AGI members and GIS professionals working in the GI industry.

You are cordially invited to attend. The official leaflet can be found <<HERE>>.

Please RSVP by Friday 9 March to cgeog@rgs.org or 020 7591 3023 if you wish to attend.

More information on the AGI CPD scheme <<HERE>> 

More information on Chartered Geographer <<HERE>>   

Directions to the Society  <<HERE>>    

Free lecture – ‘BIM isn’t geospatial – or is it?’

RICS Evening lecture series 2011-12

AGI members, as well as non-members, are encouraged to attend a free talk next Thursday evening at RICS as part of their evening lecture series.   This talk, given by Dr Anne Kemp, is an updated version of the talk on Building Information Modeling (BIM) which she gave at the AGI GeoCommunity’11 conference last September and which won the prize for the ‘Best AGI GeoCommunity Paper’ at that conference.

 Date: Thursday 1^st March 2012

 Time: 17.30 for 18.00, lecture 45 mins

Location:    Lecture Hall, RICS 12 Great George Street, Parliament Square, London, SW1P 3AD.

Register your attendance with cmallett@rics.org

Title : BIM isn’t geospatial … or is it?

Speaker: Dr Anne Kemp, Director, WS Atkins

Speaker details: Having worked in the GI and environmental industry for 25 years I am Technical Director at Atkins for Integrating Digital Solutions. Whilst growth of the Geospatial business has been a passion for 15 years, I now focus on delivering IM solutions across the whole life cycle of infrastructure projects through convergence of digital technologies, e.g. CAD, GIS and BIM. I am currently assisting in development of level 2 BIM  guidance for the UK Government BIM Strategy.  I sit on the ICE IS Panel and recently became Senior Vice-Chair for the AGI – the two organisations are working together to improve understanding of the contribution of geospatial to BIM.  I also sit on the BARSC Exec.  I am particularly motivated by the newly-created I-BIM SIG of the AGI, which aims to discuss and rise to the challenges and opportunities across the infrastructure industry in delivering BIM – within a geospatial context - to deliver faster, better, cost-effective and carbon-efficient solutions.

Brief lecture Synopsis: This paper will tackle the mis-conceptions around BIM – and explore how the geo-community can  help realise the full potential of BIM, using examples from across the infrastructure industry – and explain the context of the new I-BIM SIG of the AGI.

BIM is the process of generating and managing project information throughout the whole lifecycle of the infrastructure - UK Government is requiring its use on all public capital projects by 2016 – so will be increasingly of concern to the whole supply chain. And because it is addressing infrastructure, sound information management and GIS is critical to its delivery.

RICS Geo evening lectures are popular, free and open to all but we would ask all delegates to please register in advance with Chrissie Mallett ( cmallett@rics.org ) to be sure of a place.

AGI GeoCommunity '12: Esri UK announced as Platinum Sponsor

The AGI is extremely pleased to announce that Esri UK is an AGI GeoCommunity '12 Platinum Sponsor.

AGI GeoCommunity '12: Sharing the Power of Place will be held at East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham on 18 - 20 September 2012.

AGI GeoCommunity is the largest and most comprehensive independent conference in the UK digital mapping and geospatial calendar. The conference provides real insight and leadership in current geographic information and location based issues via a range of keynote addresses and conference papers as well as by hands on training and face to face delegate networking.

Esri UK is part of ESRI global business network and provides solutions, technology and services including off the shelf applications built on the ArcGIS software suite and an extensive range of consulting and training services. Esri solutions meet a range of business needs in different markets including Business, Local & Central Government, Public Safety, Utilities and Telecommunications, as well as catering for system integrators and application developers through the Esri Developer Network.

Judith Pugh, Corporate Programme Manager, Esri UK stated: "Esri UK are pleased to support AGI GeoCommunity ’12 as Platinum Sponsors. AGI GeoCommunity '12 is a key event for Esri UK and provides the opportunity to share knowledge with a forward-thinking and innovative community of professionals.  Applying geographic business intelligence to understand business challenges and organisational needs can help to shape a more resilient and sustainable future."

"This is major early support for AGI GeoCommunity '12. Esri UK has long been associated with the AGI annual conference as a high-level sponsor and supporter. We are delighted to welcome Esri UK back to AGI GeoCommunity in 2012 and are certain that the presence of this geospatial industry leader will be a huge draw for conference delegates" added Chris Holcroft, AGI Director & CEO.

More about AGI GeoCommunity '12

The AGI GeoCommunity series has a proven reputation as a 'must-attend' event for a range of service delivery managers and information management and technology professionals. Previous delegates and speakers have been drawn from Central and Local Government, Utilities, Health, Emergency Services, Infrastructure, Insurance, Marketing, Business Intelligence, Finance and Technology sectors.

AGI GeoCommunity '12 will open on the 18th September with the popular pre-conference 'Icebreaker' evening event and offer two full days of thought leadership, practical education, knowledge transfer and real world best practice and case studies.

AGI GeoCommunity ‘11 attracted 450 delegates. The residential format, introduced in 2007, is now well established and the event has proven its growth and sustainability. Feedback from last year ’s delegates indicated that 97% of those polled thought the event offered value for money and 89% felt it fulfilled their expectations. 97% said the venue was ‘good’ or ‘excellent. A full report of delegate feedback is available on the AGI website.

AGI GeoCommunity '12 will also offer a select number of sponsorship spaces to showcase new products and services and network with delegates both at the sponsors' exhibition pods and in the conference sessions and social events. Prices are frozen for existing sponsorship packages and a new category has been created for Small Business and Education Members, plus companies that are AGI members can get additional booking discounts. The conference format will offer our sponsors an unrivalled opportunity to meet and network with the key practitioners and influencers across government and the commercial sectors.

AGI GeoCommunity Website: www.agigeocommunity.com

AGI GeoCommunity '12: Leica Geosystems is a Silver Sponsor

The AGI is delighted to announce that Leica Geosystems has taken a silver sponsorship package for this year's AGI GeoCommunity conference.

AGI GeoCommunity '12: Sharing the Power of Place will be held at East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham on 18 - 20 September 2012.

AGI GeoCommunity is the largest and most comprehensive independent conference in the UK digital mapping and geospatial calendar. The conference provides real insight and leadership in current geographic information and location based issues via a range of keynote addresses and conference papers as well as by hands on training and face to face delegate networking.

Nathan Ward, Market Segment Manager, Leica Geosystems Ltd., commented: “Leica Geosystems Ltd is pleased to be part of the AGI GeoCommunity ’12 this year as a Silver Sponsor. This is a fantastic event to showcase our latest innovations in hardware and software solutions for the collection and management of geospatial information. The conference provides an opportunity to interact with geospatial professionals from many industries and as AGI Corporate members, we are proud to be associated with the AGI GeoCommunity '12"

Chris Holcroft, AGI Director & CEO added: "It is wonderful news to welcome Leica Geosystems back to AGI GeoCommunity and so swiftly after releasing our conference sponsorship packages. Leica Geosystems is a leading player in the geospatial sector and I'm sure delegates will appreciate having access to Leica's staff, hardware and software at this year's event."

About Leica Geosystems

With nearly 200 years of pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are used by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyse, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyse easily, and visualise and present spatial information.

Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3,500 employees in 28 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world.

Leica Geosystems is part of Hexagon Group.

More about AGI GeoCommunity '12

The AGI GeoCommunity series has a proven reputation as a 'must-attend' event for a range of service delivery managers and information management and technology professionals. Previous delegates and speakers have been drawn from Central and Local Government, Utilities, Health, Emergency Services, Infrastructure, Insurance, Marketing, Business Intelligence, Finance and Technology sectors.

AGI GeoCommunity '12 will open on the 18th September with the popular pre-conference 'Icebreaker' evening event and offer two full days of thought leadership, practical education, knowledge transfer and real world best practice and case studies.

AGI GeoCommunity ‘11 attracted 450 delegates. The residential format, introduced in 2007, is now well established and the event has proven its growth and sustainability. Feedback from last year ’s delegates indicated that 97% of those polled thought the event offered value for money and 89% felt it fulfilled their expectations. 97% said the venue was ‘good’ or ‘excellent. A full report of delegate feedback is available on the AGI website.

AGI GeoCommunity '12 will also offer a select number of sponsorship spaces to showcase new products and services and network with delegates both at the sponsors' exhibition pods and in the conference sessions and social events. Prices are frozen for existing sponsorship packages and a new category has been created for Small Business and Education Members, plus companies that are AGI members can get additional booking discounts. The conference format will offer our sponsors an unrivalled opportunity to meet and network with the key practitioners and influencers across government and the commercial sectors.

AGI GeoCommunity Website: www.agigeocommunity.com

News of AGI CPD scheme

CPD scheme is now free to AGI members

AGI have offered a CPD scheme for our members for a number of years to give them independent verification of their Continuing Professional Development. Some of our members are doing this in conjunction with their CGeog status. But equally many other AGI members have not applied for CGeog status, either because they do not qualify, or because this is a step they do not wish to take. They are still keen on maintaining their continuing development in GIS and on formally recording their progress in this.

Previously there was an administrative charge for this. We are pleased to announce that from 2012 onwards, this facility will be free to all AGI members (i.e. to individual members and the ‘named’ individuals at our corporate members). We hope that this will widen the base of the CPD scheme still further and will be an important AGI member benefit that proves to be useful to many of our members.

The scheme works as follows:

1. AGI members register for the scheme.
2. AGI issues an Annual CPD Record spreadsheet.
3. AGI gives guidance about the level of CPD points attributable to various activities.
4. Scheme members update their Annual CPD Record spreadsheet throughout the year.
5. At the end of each year, scheme members submit their Annual CPD Record spreadsheet for review by the AGI.
6. AGI will certify the Annual CPD Record and return it along with an Annual Certificate of CPD Attainment to the scheme member.

Please see our website <<HERE>> for further information on how to join this scheme.

Please also note that AGI will be jointly participating in a Young Professionals Networking Evening at the Royal Geographic Society on the evening of 15^th March. You can find out more information about the AGI CPD scheme at this event. Further details of this event can be found on our events calendar <<HERE>>.  All AGI members are welcome to attend. The event is free but advance registration is necessary.

“CPD should be a lifelong activity, essential to the maintenance of standards, competence and knowledge. It is a valuable investment for you and your employers. The AGI is pleased to offer our CPD scheme as a key benefit for our members and as a sign of our commitment to maintaining the professionalism of our industry”, said Alan Wilks, Chief Operating Officer, AGI