Thoughts - ESRI's Party and I Got To Go!
My gentle tirade earlier this week, elicited lots of responses from the folks at ESRI. They are genuinely "good people" trying to do "good business" with a "good product". They did everything in their power to accomodate me. I arrived on the scene Saturday at ESRI's EduCon 2006 held at the Marriott. The setup was welcoming and bustling with activity. I met some of the staff and they welcomed me and insisted that I attend the day's activities. I was able to attend the main morning session. The ESRI Education staff gave an informative and entertaining overview of their accomplishments and goals. The Chief Cartographer for NGS discussed their accomplishments and goals. He is a down-to-earth person that loves maps. His vision is to move spatial thinking and geographic appreciation more solidly into the minds of students through the good efforts of enthusiastic teachers.
I will go back one more day to walk and talk with vendors that will exhibit. There is a Blogger Get Together that will take place during the week. Also, SDSU has an Open Source GIS group that will meet during the week.
San Diego has rolled out our special "red carpet", gorgeous weather and drinkable tap water. The attendees and their families should have a ball at the ESRI Conference and enjoying our fair city. We have a slogan here that claims we are "America's Finest City!" and this week we are.
P.S. - Thanks to the ESRI Education staff for hosting a great show. Now, if I can just snag some product and tutorials for my students, life will be swell.
