Conference Diary

Monday 21st July

The welcome by Conference Director, Dave Lovell, was followed by Vanessa Lawrence's address to conference. She pointed out the major challenges to NMAs, such as wider user communities, lack of awareness of geography by decision makers and increased globalisation. The major changes to OSGB in the past four years include increasing customer focus, re-engineering products and re-evaluating existing operations.

Conference was updated on the 1999 conference resolutions. All of them were progressing and the challenges and changes faced by OSGB were reflected in the achievements of GSDI, aid for geomatics development and Caribbean GI infrastructure.

On a technical note the contention for GPS frequencies was still problematic and despite NMAs having made representations in 2001 on the matter of safeguarding GPS frequencies, the future was still uncertain. In a way this matter exemplifies the pressure of globalisation on resources and presages potential changes to new operational patterns. It is quite clear that changes are endemic and it is the recognition of potential changes which is crucial.

Professor Martien Molenaar's keynote address was keynote in every way. The Rector of ITC gave a very comprehensive view of the pressures facing NMAs, most if not all of them, were external events requiring some fundamental changes to NMAs' erceptions of their role within society.

It was during lunch that discussion of the keynote amongst some of the delegates revealed some fundamental truths. The real world is a perception by various people of differing views, backgrounds and needs. Maps are a perception of that world by cartographers; no one else. A house can be perceived in many ways, for example; as real estate with some value; a family home; a delivery point of utilities; a source of income to local taxes; a potential user of emergency services, an address, a set of co-ordinates, an architect's design. It is the collection of that data by one or more groups and the interface between them which is critical to future development and a map, is a picture of something at some time, not always complete and a biased view but viewable.

IT tools were more prolific and cheaper than hitherto with different types of users creating different demands; placing new and greater demands on NMAs.

The exhibition was opened by Vanessa Lawrence. The spacious marquee on River Court - air conditioned this year and a far cry from earlier exhibitions in heavy canvas marquees more reminiscent of ovens than places of shade - has a variety of exhibitors, a refreshment area and an Internet Cafe. The variety of stands shows how GI has become a part of the information industry, not an add on, but an integral part. For the heads of NMAs the chance to meet the providers face to face is a rare occurrence and an important part of the Cambridge Conference.

The end of the day was marked by dinner and conversations in the bar. For some of us the pre-dinner aperitif was taking one of St John's punts down the Cam: good company and a bottle of wine did not preclude either boatmen from some determined and safe punting.

Sunday 20th July