Forsyth County’s school system and government have begun preparing for separate technology-related events.

Organizers of the annual Forsyth County Schools Tech Fair are holding a poster and video commercial contest.

All entries are due by Nov. 14, with the best video and poster becoming part of the advertising for the event, which is set for Feb. 7 at Cumming Elementary School.

The contest is open to middle and high school students. There will be a $100 prize for first-place winners.

Guidelines and more information can be found on the tech fair Web site, techfair.forsyth.k12.ga.us.

Also on Nov. 14, the Geographic Information Services Day returns to the Forsyth County Administration Building.

Now in its 10th year, the event is held as part the National Geographic Society’s Geography Awareness Week.

“We use this day to educate the public and fellow employees about GIS,” said Mary Jo Black Enderby, a GIS specialist with the county. “Our event ... will have many exciting presentations about the benefits of GIS specifically in Forsyth County.”

The event will include map gallery displays, demonstrations, presentations, door prizes and refreshments from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

“GIS is a simple and effective tool for communicating and analyzing geographic trends,” said John Kilgore, the county’s GIS director.

“This technology provides a method for inventorying, managing and optimizing the county’s abundant natural resources, as well as other resources throughout the area.”

In addition to GIS Day, the department is planning free, half-hour training classes that focus on geographic information available on the county’s Web site.

Classes are scheduled for 2 p.m. Nov. 18 and 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in the county administration building, 110 E. Main St. in Cumming.

For more information, contact (770) 781-2108 or e-mail jmkilgore@forsythco.com.

E-mail Frank Reddy at frankreddy@forsythnews.com.