Conference Diary

Thursday 24th July

Although the last day of conference sessions there was still a full programme for delegates. The morning brought six presentations and much discussion on "Engaging with the private sector" under the chairmanship of Barbara Ryan. Four of these were from representatives of NMOs telling how they have coped with significant changes in their relationships with the private sector. These were in many ways remarkable and sobering but the other two presentations, from representatives of the private sector, were perhaps more significant. Perhaps for the first time at the Cambridge Conference we heard what it is like to be a relatively small commercial company trying to build a viable business on the parts of a business that an NMO is prepared to sub-contract or licence. This is sure to have been thought provoking for many delegates.

More serious but very entertaining business in the afternoon. "Seeing round the corner" chaired by Joakim Ollen brought us five very different perspectives on the future. Each was stimulating but special mention must be made of the presentation from Denis Johnston. Since he has no particular connection with the mapping industry he had the advantage that he did not have to constrain himself to mapping matters but in his wider review of technology he enthralled us with his review of the technologies that are already here, or arriving tomorrow, an how they might be applied. Few could have gone away without wondering what effect these developments will have on our organisations. How on earth can we licence our data for use in some of these applications I remember thinking.

And so to the closing session. Santaigo Borrero brought us a very humorous resolution which, from memory, mainly concerned the operation of the bar. This was of course universally supported. But more importantly he also brought us a serious "declaration" to be made by the conference which had been drafted by a number of dedicated individuals in that same bar. Again this was universally supported and will be promoted as best practice for us all. It will certainly be published on the conference web site.

And so with a certain sadness the formal part of the conference was drawn to a close. But any sadness was soon dispelled at the conference gala dinner. This was a truly splendid affair, with St John's exceeding the excellent catering standards they had maintained all week, all to the accompaniment of a string quartet. This was supplemented towards the end by some enthusiastic "home made" musical entertainment, some of which was planned and some distinctly impromptu, the latter continuing well into the night in the bar. A memorable evening.

Wednesday 23rd July | Tuesday 22nd July | Monday 21st July Sunday 20th July