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What better combination could be had for the 2003 ASPRS Conference than the unique opportunity of focusing on the latest developments in geospatial data and related technology while visiting the Top of the World, Anchorage Alaska?

Anchorage is where the rugged beauty of the Alaska wilderness meets a cosmopolitan and vibrant city atmosphere. Moose walk the city streets and “urban anglers” catch salmon in the famed Ship Creek in the shadow of downtown office buildings. All of this is only a few steps from the top-rated restaurants of the city. A carriage ride at twilight is a wonderful way to end the day at the Top of the World.

Surrounded by the soaring mountains of the Chugach Range and the icy waters of Cook Inlet, Anchorage is compact and easy to navigate. The Egan Convention Center, our conference headquarters and the Anchorage Hilton Hotel, our conference hotel, are centrally located in downtown Anchorage.

Within walking distance of the conference center, the Anchorage Museum of History & Art is a world-class facility in the heart of Anchorage. The museum houses a comprehensive collection of Alaska art and historical artifacts. Downtown also hosts the Performing Arts Center, Public Lands Information Center, Visitors Center and a wide selection of restaurants, and shops.

Just a short ride from the city’s center, the Alaska Native Heritage Center is the first-ever visitor attraction to share Alaska Native traditions through educational programs includes interpretative displays, films and daily performances of traditional Native dance troupes and a gift shop where local handmade crafts are featured. At Earthquake Park, visitors can see the destructive effects of the 1964 earthquake, the most powerful recorded in North America - 9.2 on the Richter scale. A visit to Lake Hood/Lake Spenard affords a view of the world’s largest and busiest float plane base. Other attractions around the city include the Alaska Botanical Gardens, Alaska Zoo, and Alaska Aviation Museum.

Anchorage is bordered by Chugach State Park; one of the nation’s largest parks with 495,000 acres (198,000 hectares) of sharp peaks, glaciers, lakes, and glacial carved valleys. The park offers true Alaska wilderness experiences including hiking, fishing and camping among a variety of wildlife including moose, bear, Dall sheep, mountain goats, wolves, lynx, and bald eagles.

Enjoy the 18 hours of springtime daylight on one of the many trails that wind through the greenbelts, parks, and coastline of Anchorage. In the late spring, snow sports enthusiasts can still find opportunities in the surrounding mountains and the world-class Alyeska Resort, only 45 minutes south of Anchorage. Entertainment opportunities abound for all ages so plan to bring the entire family. From shopping for native crafts in the historic downtown area to once-in-a-lifetime wilderness adventure in the last frontier, everyone will find their own Alaska.

For additional information on all that Anchorage and the surrounding area has to offer, check the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at www.anchorage.net