In September, 150 delegates convened in Bath, United Kingdom for CARIS 2008 International User Group Conference. This was the twelfth such event hosted by leading geospatial software developer CARIS. Previous conferences have been hosted in Malaysia, Canada, Germany, United States and the Netherlands.

CARIS software applications span the complete ping-to-chart workflow from the echosounder "ping" to the production and distribution of the nautical "chart". As such, CARIS 2008 delegates represented various national agencies responsible for their country's mapping and charting mandates in areas of defence, safety of navigation and maritime boundaries. A large contingent of delegates also represented private companies involved in hydrographic and geospatial data production and services as well as academia.

The CARIS 2008 theme was "Make a Spatial Connection" recognizing the trend among users to step outside of their traditional use of the software to connect to other data types and sources, connect to outside organizations and to new users. This theme was echoed throughout programme.

During the first two days delegates could participate in one of five software training courses covering hydrographic data processing, bathymetric data management, desktop electronic chart production, database-driven hydrographic production and law of the sea.

The conference portion of the event followed, beginning with an engaging Keynote Address: Interoperability - Key to the UKHO's Digital Vision by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) Chief Executive, Mike Robinson. The presentation featured the role of CARIS Hydrographic Production Database (HPD) and CARIS Bathy DataBASE in the vision of the UKHO for an integrated system for bathymetric data management, hydrographic feature editing and the compilation of paper and digital charts. At the close of his presentation, Mr. Robinson presented CARIS with a copy of the first paper chart produced by UKHO using HPD.

CARIS took the stage following the Keynote Address with highly visual display of its most anticipated technological advancements. Among the development items unveiled was the implementation of a new framework, call the CSAR Framework, for handling very large volumes of multi-dimensional data.

CARIS Spatial Fusion Enterprise was also of focus. This web-mapping software provides an online interface to marine and hydrographic data such as ENCs and bathymetry for increased analytic capabilities, sound decision-making and support for Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure initiatives.

Paper presentations pertaining to geospatial standards, hydrographic survey operations, electronic charting and law of the sea followed. These presentations shared a common emphasis on data sharing, workflow management and interoperability.

Various secondary meetings were hosted in conjunction with CARIS 2008. Among them were the first meeting of the IHO Data Quality Working Group and the fifth meeting of IHO-IEC Harmonization Group on Marine Information Objects.

On the final day of CARIS 2008, delegates traveled from Bath to Taunton for a tour of the UKHO.

With the backdrop of the World Heritage Site of Bath, CARIS sought to deliver a programme of quality presentations, to unveil its most exciting technological advancements, and offer a forum in which new and old friends could unite to Make a Spatial Connection. In this they truly succeeded.

The next CARIS Conference will take place in Miami, Florida, USA in early 2010.