SPAR 2009, held from 29th March to 1st April in Denver, Colorado, USA, by Spar Point Research, welcomed 633 attendees from 27 countries. More than 35% of attendees were new to the conference, and 65% were end users. Areas of high participation included a standing-room-only inaugural 3D Laser Scanning Boot Camp presented by a subcommittee of the SPAR 2009 Advisory Board; the Mobile Surveying and Mapping track, and several exhibitors offering these solutions; data conversion and export solution providers; digital heritage preservation and industrial plant presentations; and BIM opportunities.

Attendees further strengthened their understanding of 3D imaging capabilities and prospects through six keynote presentations and additional tracks focused on forensic and security planning, civil/transportation, nuclear facilities, managing and leveraging geospatial information, new software technologies and business opportunities, and a first-time Service Provider Briefings Forum. Discussions included topics relating to data collection, integration, processing and use. The range of 3D scanning capabilities and applications has broadened, as have individual and partnering opportunities for engineering firms, surveyors and other service providers. Spar Point CEO Tom Greaves remarked how the pace of innovation for static and mobile 3D laser scanning technologies, both hardware and software, had accelerated in the past twelve months. SPAR 2009 attendees were treated to new hardware, software and workflows from both established firms and newcomers. 'The can-do and make-do spirit of SPAR 2009 attendees is remarkable,' he said, 'because it spans the public sector, engineering and surveying organisations both large and small, and some of the industry's most talented and innovative hardware and software firms.'