In the last one-and-a-half decade, we have witnessed a technological boom in the world. GeoInformation Technology (GIT) too, has strived to create new application areas with innovation as the key driver. With an increased focus on creation of accurate digital spatial data, GIT has helped tremendously in planning, monitoring and evaluating jobs. With time, there is increased realisation of enormous potential that GIT holds in areas that have so far remained unexplored. There are instances of GIT applications solving problems of the 'new world' and contributing to sectors of infrastructure, emergency response, governance, etc. The possibilities with GIT are now attracting experts from varied fields and also the common man to partake in activities woven around GIS to develop multiple applications and thus adding new dimensions to the existing domain.

On the other hand, to realise the business needs of Geospatial industry and the Geospatial community, it is essential for the development of spatial information infrastructures at national and international levels to aid stakeholders in pooling data and deriving benefits out of it. There are multi-agency tie-ups, international alliances, etc. aimed to generate collaboration and usage of Geospatial information. However, a lot is needed to take this up and move ahead with an objective of sustainable growth.

This year, at Map Asia 2009, the Geospatial community of the Asia-Pacific region will come together to assess the 'hidden' potential of the technology and try to build viable business models. The conference will highlight the trend where GIT-backed products and services are lucrative markets in the industry along with supporting the developmental needs of the modern society.The new dimensions of GIS arising from the incorporation of Web, telecom and newer system architectures will be the focus of discussions at the conference. The participants will, in particular, deliberate on possibilities of building Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) bringing the Geospatial industry to the next level. The need for connecting the staggered efforts of the Geospatial communities in different regions will also be highlighted.