Last week, GIS People hosted Brisbane GIS Day – the largest Australian event to celebrate international GIS Day.
According to event organisers, the event saw a constant flow of business leaders, professionals, academics, students, politicians and hobbyists coming to see technology including 3D printing, Google Glass, a satellite showcase, as well as some very exciting presentations.
ABC radio conducted a live interview with Dr Tim Foresman at 10am, causing a further influx of visitors for the lunch and afternoon sessions. The exhibitors reported being completely inundated with interest from so many day visitors.
GIS People’s Event Manager, Rachelle Leembruggen, says: “Without help from our many volunteers, we don’t know how we would have got through the day – thank you to all who helped. And due to the massive turnout we ran out of show bags, so we apologise to those who missed out.”
GIS People has stated that positive feedback has been flowing in from attendees, exhibitors and presenters. Glenn Irvine, national practice manager of Google solutions at platinum sponsor, Dialog, said: “The team from Dialog were extremely pleased with our sponsorship of the GIS Day this year. It is easily the best spatial industry event in Australia, and the amount of traffic in the exhibition area is impressive. Well done to GIS People!”
The HERE-sponsored Map App Hack event ensured a grand-finale finish for the day, with 3 finalists battling it out for the top prize of $5,000. The competition was won by Stephen Donaldson with his Benchmrk app. There were many other prize draws and competitions that will be announced in the coming days.
The celebrations continued via an exclusive VIP cocktail party at Old Parliament House. Not even a mighty afternoon storm triggering the building evacuation alarm could stop the many guests from attending, including senior government officials and police leaders. An awesome (and delicious) GIS Day cake also featured at the party.
All in all, GIS People hosted what they claim to be the world’s largest GIS Day event, and Australia’s largest GIS conference, yet again in Brisbane. The team at GIS People have aspirations to make next year’s event even bigger, so watch out for more information coming soon from GIS People.
