NYC & Company Welcomes the Association of American Geographers to New York City
—More than 8,500 Attendees from Around the World Expected for AAG’s Annual Meeting, Generating $8 Million in Economic Impact to New York City—
New York City (February 23, 2012)—NYC & Company, the City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, welcomes the Association of American Geographers (AAG) to New York City for its annual meeting. The conference, which showcases the recent trends in geographic technologies and ideas within the discipline, will run from Friday, February 24, to Tuesday, February 28 at the Hilton New York and Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers. The AAG Annual Meeting will feature more than 6,000 presentations, workshops and field trips by leading scholars and world-renowned experts and researchers in the field. With more than 8,000 expected attendees from around the world, the conference will generate an estimated economic impact of more than $8 million for New York City.
“New York City has become home to a diverse group of trade shows, conventions and annual meetings, like the Association of American Geographers,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “The AAG meeting welcomes the public to its forums, giving them the opportunity to learn about the various careers in geography and how they apply to businesses as well as network with others in the industry.”
Events and activities during AAG’s Annual Meeting include an international networking reception, exhibits showcasing the latest scholarly publications and advanced geographic technologies, and the latest employment opportunities. The career-oriented portion of the program will include activities spotlighting specific occupational sectors, a resume-writing workshop, career mentoring sessions and the Jobs in Geography (JIG) Center.
“The AAG welcomes everyone with an interest in geography to come and learn about the important role geography plays in our lives, careers, communities and the world,” said Oscar Larson, AAG’s conference director.
The five-day conference includes keynote speakers and special events. Nicholas Kristof, Pulitzer Prize–winning writer for The New York Times, and Salil Shetty, secretary general of Amnesty International, will participate in a panel discussion focusing on the geographies of social justice, media and human rights. Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland, will receive the AAG Atlas Award for her human rights work.
Other speakers include: Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, who will participate in a conversation on Wall Street as part of the AAG’s special track of sessions on international finance and economics; Robert Groves, director of the US Census Bureau, who will speak on the topic of geography’s contributions to the 2010 Census and the discipline’s future role in light of the bureau’s efforts to reorganize; and professor Frances Fox Priven.
Geographers and scholars attending the conference will have many opportunities to interact with renowned scholars and administrators from both inside and outside of geography. In addition to the forums, the AAG organizes field trips to explore the rich cultural geography of New York City and the Hudson River Valley.
The times and dates for all sessions are available at aag.org/annualmeeting/program.
About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com.
About Association of American Geographers:
The Association of American Geographers (AAG) is a nonprofit scientific and educational society founded in 1904. For 100 years the AAG has contributed to the advancement of geography. Its members from more than 60 countries share interests in the theory, methods and practice of geography, which they cultivate through the AAG's Annual Meeting, two scholarly journals (Annals of the Association of American Geographers and The Professional Geographer), and the monthly AAG Newsletter.
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Contact: Chris Heywood/NYC & Company 212-484-1270