CARIS is pleased to announce Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) will deliver the Opening Keynote Address at CARIS 2008, 12th International User Group Conference and Educational Sessions 22-26 September in Bath, United Kingdom.

Under the theme Make a Spatial Connection, CARIS 2008 will feature Geospatial Standards, Hydrographic Survey Operations, Electronic Charting, Law of the Sea, and Ports and Waterways with a specific emphasis on data sharing, workflow management and interoperability.

Mr. Robinson was appointed Chief Executive in July 2006. Based in Taunton, Somerset, the UKHO is the worldwide premier supplier of navigational charts and publications as well as providing critical maritime safety information.

In the delivery of the Opening Keynote Address, Mr. Robinson will launch CARIS 2008 by sharing the significant changes he has made throughout the organization while highlighting the relevance of interoperability in the drive forward to transition from paper to digital products and the overall digital future of the organization.

It is anticipated that CARIS 2008 will be the largest gathering of CARIS users in the twelve-year history of this event. Representatives from national hydrographic agencies, companies actively involved hydrographic and geospatial data production and services and academia will participate to learn about the charting and mapping activities of other nations, to keep abreast with technological advancements and to learn how to use CARIS Ping-to-Chart software more efficiently.