January 11, 2010 -- Oxford, MS – The Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS) housed at The University of Mississippi is pleased to host the 2nd International GIS Cluster Conference on January 12, 2010, in Biloxi, Mississippi. The Conference is a result from the 1st International GIS Cluster Conference that was held in Sweden in 2008 with representatives from the U.S., Sweden, Norway, China, Germany, and Austria. The intent of the conference is to learn about emerging efforts to foster geospatial research and industry clusters and foster opportunities to cultivate relationships and network with business, government, academic, and industry contacts from inside the U.S. and around the World.
“As the only U.S. cluster represented at the 1st International GIS Cluster Conference, I was impressed at how developed the cluster concept is around the globe,” said Dr. Greg Easson, EIGS Executive Director. “It is truly an honor for EIGS and the state of Mississippi to serve as the host for this year’s conference.”
MDA Executive Director, Gray Swoope, and representatives from MDA’s International Division are attending to welcome the international visitors on behalf of the State.
International clusters participating in the Conference include:
- GIS-Cluster Salzburg is a consortium of Austrian GIS companies, based in Salzburg, Austria. It is an internationally renowned competence centre in the field of geosciences. The competence field has scientific components such as The Centre for Geoinformatics – Salzburg University, Salzburg Research, and Research Studio iSpace. For more information, visit
www.giscluster.at.
- China Association for GIS (CAGIS) is the government organization for the promotion and development of the GIS Sector. Almost all companies, universities and research organizations in China related to GIS are members. For more information, visit
www.cagis.org.cn.
- FPX: Future Position X is Sweden's national GIS Cluster. A non-profit member organization, FPS is an independent arena for demonstration, development and marketing of GIS services and knowledge. For more information, visit
www.fpx.se.
- Wuhan Geospatial Information Industry Base is in the Wuhan East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan University Science and Technology Park, China. Wuhan is China’s only industry center integrating GPS, GIS and Remote Sensing Research, teaching and industrialization.
- Geospatial Quebec is a consortium of over 20 members drawn from industry, government, and academic organizations in the Québec City region (Québec Chaudières-Appalache) founded in 2009. Its goal is to develop stronger links between industrial players in geomatics, business intelligence and telecommunications sectors, particularly with international connections to other cluster organizations.
To keep in touch with developments of Mississippi’s geospatial cluster, be sure to visit www.eigs.olemiss.edu or email Email Contact to subscribe to the monthly electronic newsletter.
About EIGS:
Since 1998, the State of Mississippi has nurtured the growth of a cluster of high tech companies in the geospatial technology industry. EIGS at The University of Mississippi is the program that coordinates the activities of this cluster. EIGS works with private companies as well as university research programs, state agencies, and other related organizations to support geospatial technology business, research development, and workforce development. EIGS provides specific business services to existing companies, recruits complementary businesses and talent to the state, facilitates research opportunities, and supports activities to ensure that an educated, well-trained workforce is available to address the growing development needs of this industry. For more information, visit www.eigs.olemiss.edu.