ESRI FedUC-Robust Attendance; Company Fairing Well in Downturn

There was robust attendance today at the opening plenary sessions at the ESRI Federal User’s Group (FedUC) meeting at the Washington Convention Center, Washington DC. The hall which holds approximately 2000 people was packed. Two prevailing sentiments as to why:

1. Federal budgets for the current fiscal year are set and the economic situation has not really affected federal department budgets yet.

2. Money will be tight later in the year and trips to San Diego for the International User’s Conference (UC) will be harder to justify.

Jack Dangermond, president of ESRI, made mention that the company posted a 9% gain in 2008 and that although things were "slowing down" business was still good. In addition, he stated that the company’s financials were sound and the company has no debt.