Reston, VA – July 12, 2017 – Today, July 12, marks the 35th anniversary of the founding of MAPPS, the national association of photogrammetry, mapping, and geospatial firms. It was on July 12, 1982 that a group of visionary firm owners gathered at a hotel at O’Hare Airport in Chicago and formed the only national association exclusively comprised of private sector geospatial firms.
Originally formed primarily by firms in photogrammetry and related services, MAPPS has expanded in size and scope over its 35 year history to become a membership that now spans the entire spectrum of the geospatial community, including Member Firms engaged in satellite and airborne remote sensing, surveying, photogrammetry, aerial photography, hydrography, aerial and satellite image processing, GPS, and GIS data collection and conversion services, UAV, LiDAR, BIM, mobile mapping, asset management and other services. MAPPS also includes Associate Members, which are companies that provide hardware, software, products and services to the geospatial profession in the United States and other firms from around the world.
On July 23-27, MAPPS will host its annual Summer Conference at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The theme for the conference is "Past Reflections – New Directions" and will feature sessions that not only look back on the history of MAPPS and how the association led the way in growth, advocacy, political activism, professionalism and technological advancement in the mapping and geospatial community, but look to the future as well with presentations and discussion on trends in business and the profession, emerging markets, and new technologies and applications.
"MAPPS meetings have become known as the place for news, information, networking and partnering. Each year, millions of dollars in business-to-business activity is conducted among MAPPS member firms, and many of those relationships are formed at our conferences. MAPPS meetings feature a relaxed atmosphere and casual environment that provides our members with quality time with their peers and families. We look forward to an informative and enjoyable 35th Anniversary conference," said John Palatiello, MAPPS Executive Director.
The conference features an oral history of MAPPS featuring 9 of the 16 surviving individuals who are past presidents, a "Drone Day" field demonstration, a session on initiatives in Congress and the Trump Administration affecting geospatial firms, mentor protege programs, one person survey crews, outdoor map apps, international trade, communications, business law, project management, USGS 3DEP and state elevation strategies, ethics, and presentations by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Office of Aviation Services. The MAPPS Emerging Leaders track will feature sessions on analytics for business and sales management. The keynote address will be presented by Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO), a leader on numerous geospatial issues and author of the "Map It Once, Use It Many Times" Act.
For more information on MAPPS, membership or conference registration, visit www.mapps.org.
About MAPPS
Formed in 1982, MAPPS is the only national association exclusively comprised of private firms in the remote sensing, spatial data and geographic information systems field in the United States. The MAPPS membership spans the entire spectrum of the geospatial community, including Member Firms engaged in satellite and airborne remote sensing, surveying, photogrammetry, aerial photography, LIDAR, hydrography, bathymetry, charting, aerial and satellite image processing, GPS, and GIS data collection and conversion services. MAPPS also includes Associate Member Firms, which are companies that provide hardware, software, products and services to the geospatial profession in the United States and other firms from around the world. Independent Consultant Members are sole proprietors engaged in consulting in or to the geospatial profession, or provides a consulting service of interest to the geospatial profession. MAPPS provides its member firms opportunities for networking and developing business-to-business relationships, information sharing, education, public policy advocacy, market growth, and professional development and image enhancement. For more information on MAPPS, please visit www.MAPPS.org.
