Our first Mapping Leaders Forum in London next month
The IMIA Mapping Leader Forum brings together industry leaders, business experts, and technology innovators during this annual two-day event to explore the latest trends, advancements, and challenges in the field of mapping and geospatial technology.
Learn more about our 15+ Forum presenters, who represent different facets of the mapping industry, and review the schedule of events on our Forum homepage.
IMIA Best Map Cup
We would like to find out what the best map that IMIA members have produced over the last 12 months is. This can be any type of map – atlas, tourist map, globe, online map.
Your map will be judged based on design, functionality, ease of use and accuracy. The overall winner will be chosen by the IMIA awards committee and presented at the Mapping Leaders Forum.
Accepting submissions through Friday, April 18.
Amazing Race Around London
May 13, 2025
Race from 2 PM-5 PM
Happy hour from 5 PM-7 PM
Discover your competitive side while finding hidden treasures throughout the city. This race is brought to you by Avenza Systems and HarperCollins Publishers UK. The Finish Line happy hour is sponsored by Stanfords.
The cost is $30 USD per person.
Welcome New Members
Calazo Förlag is a Swedish publisher specializing in maps and books for outdoor activities across the Nordic region. Renowned for its highly detailed, high-quality maps, Calazo is regarded as the leading brand, offering extensive map series for Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
Designed for hikers, kayakers, and outdoor enthusiasts, Calazo’s maps provide reliable and precise geographical data. By leveraging advanced technology and Lidar data, the company produces maps with exceptional accuracy in terrain details, elevation, and natural landmarks—setting a new standard for outdoor navigation.
In addition to maps, Calazo Förlag publishes guidebooks and instructional manuals for various outdoor activities, providing expert insights and practical guidance. With a strong focus on quality and innovation, Calazo has become a trusted resource for adventurers throughout the Nordic region.
Franko Maps produces travel maps and nature guides for more than 200 destinations worldwide. Best known for maps of dive and snorkel locations and fish identification cards, they also publish walking maps of historic areas, adventure travel maps and sea life guide cards.
Recently published titles include Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, Maine’s Moosehead Lake, Historic Salem Massachusetts, California Missions, Blue Ridge Parkway Wall Map, and Vanuatu Fish Card.
Franko maps and guide cards are sold at map and book stores, museum stores, dive shops, gift shops, online, and wherever souvenirs are sold. Franko partners with destination-based distributors and representatives to reach retailers in their countries. Travel operators also provide Franko titles as amenities for tour groups.
In 2007, Iðnmennt ses, which owns and operates IÐNÚ Publishing and IÐNÚ Bookstore at Brautarholt 8 in Reykjavík, purchased the National Land Survey of Iceland’s digital map database along with its stock of published maps.
After decades of providing map-publishing services, the Survey has turned over this field of operations to the private sector. IÐNÚ Publishing focuses on producing quality maps and map books. All of the company’s products, as well as maps previously released by the National Land Survey, are now available on this webstore and at the IÐNÚ shop at Brautarholt 8.
Member News
New Boston Historic Illustrated Map Makes Its Debut!
In Boston, where a historic building, monument, or point of interest beckons around every corner, a birds-eye-view map is the perfect walking guide for avid travelers. Michael Karpovage, owner of Karpovage Creative, Inc., in Roswell, Georgia, delivers yet again with his new Boston Historic Illustrated Map. The map is a unique blend of artistry and history, providing an immediate “lay of the land” that far surpasses any other street map on the market today.
Karpovage’s maps are created for the tourist who believes in pre-planning to get the most out of their visit. He revives the glorious and centuries-old style of panoramic mapping by depicting main attractions and landmarks in vibrant color and meticulous detail. And then he raises the bar with rich factual content that history lovers appreciate.
Imray and freytag & berndt plan joint venture to secure future of nautical charts
Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson Ltd (Imray), a leading publisher of nautical information for recreational sailors, and Austrian cartographic specialist freytag & berndt (FB) have signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture. This collaboration will ensure the continued availability and development of Imray’s renowned nautical charts and books, maintaining its trusted legacy for sailors worldwide.
The new joint venture, FB Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson GmbH (FB Imray), will be headquartered in Vienna. Bookharbour (Stanfords) Ltd will continue as the main UK-based distributor of Imray charts and books.
Stanford’s Map of the Month
Mount Everest Map – Published 1988
by IMIA Member National Geographic
This beautiful map of Mount Everest and the surrounding region was first published by National Geographic in November 1988.
Cartographer Henry Bradford Washburn used aerial photos from the Swiss Air Survey alongside infrared photos from the Space Shuttle as a basis for this map. The map was then hand-drawn using traditional Swiss relief presentation to create the illusion of depth on a 2D map. This process took five years to complete, and the result is a striking and highly detailed map.
In Memoriam
The IMIA community is saddened to learn of the passing of Globe Maker John Szal, 78.
John founded Spherical Concepts in 1981. Over the next 26 years, under his leadership, the company grew from one product to an internationally recognized brand in the map, globe, and astronomy products industry, domestically and internationally.
In 1995, Spherical Concepts was awarded the worldwide manufacturing and marketing rights for National Geographic Globes. In 2007, Spherical Concepts was acquired by Herff Jones, Inc., and John served as the Director of the Retail Map and Globe Division until he retired in 2011. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and industry colleagues.
Upcoming IMIA Events
Upcoming Industry Events
32nd International Cartographic Conference
August 16-22, 2025
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Membership Information
We want to share your news! Send us your milestones, anniversaries, company announcements, upcoming events, or other news and we can help spread the word for you.
Disclaimer: IMIA does not sell, rent, or lease our contact data or lists to third parties, and we will not provide your personal information to any third party individual, company, or government agency at any time unless compelled to do so by law. Any emails or other notifications received stating otherwise are spam.
IMIA Annual Sponsors
