Open Source for GIS Meeting in Portugal

This is the first meeting in Portugal specifically related to Free and Open Source for Geographic Information Systems.

The meeting is promoted by a group in individuals interested in the creation and formalization of a OSGeo Local Chapter in Portugal. There is already a mailing list running for the Local Chapter, with some interesting activity. The http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Portugal OSGeo wiki already has some information about the Local Chapter.

The event will take place in October, from 20th to 22th, of 2008. It will be held in Águeda, which is a small, but active city, in the centre of Portugal. One and a half day will be dedicated to presentations, and another one day and a half is dedicated to the workshops (six workshops where scheduled, but there are already more people interested than available places). The expected number of participants is about 120 to 150, mostly from the local administration, interested is FOSS4G based solutions.

The SASIG meeting web site is only available in Portuguese. Almost all information is already there: a draft program, a registration form, travel and accommodation information, etc.

The Local Organising Committee is assured by the Municipality of Águeda, and theu manage the participants registration and payments. The Organising Committee is responsible for all other activities.

The event is already supported by 3 gold sponsors (Autodesk, NovaGeo, Skysoft) and one silver sponsor (National Mapping Agency). More sponsors are very welcome. The information for the sponsors is available at the event's site. There is an additional social partner, a local non-profit organization. All profit of the event will go to this organization.

The main language will be the Portuguese to promote the development of a FOSS4G users community. English or Spanish presentations are also welcome by invited speakers.