2025 ICA-IMIA Recognition of Excellence in Cartography Award Winners
Every year, two exemplary maps are chosen from the hundreds of entries in the Map Gallery at the Esri User Conference to receive the prestigious ICA-IMIA Recognition of Excellence in Cartography award.
Presented annually since 2016, this award, jointly sponsored by the International Cartographic Association and the International Map Industry Association, promotes and recognizes excellence in map design and advancement in cartography.
A special thank you to our judges this year – for ICA (through CaGIS), Mohamad Yassin, City of San Diego, and Stephanie Deitrick, City of Tempe, and for IMIA, Bethany Walker and Alexander Kaufman, USGS, as well as Emma Trowell, Stanfords. These judges had the not-so-easy task of finding the two winners from over 700 entries of exceptional work.
Presenting the 2025 Award Winners
Navigating the new Arctic:
The uncertain future of Arctic reindeer herding
Christina Shintani, Ravdna Biret Marja Eira Sara
Woodwell Climate Research Center
Judge’s comments:
“It’s hard to tell a story about time on a flat paper map, but the cartographers did exactly that through the use of a gradient in all the map content from winter in the lower left to summer in the upper right. The map captivates the reader with a very detailed depiction that is still easy to read despite its complexity.”
Geospatial Conservation at The Nature Conservancy: 2024 Annual Report and Map Book
Chris Bruce, Zach Ferdaña, Teal Wyckoff
The Nature Conservancy (Arlington, VA)
Judge’s comments:
“This map-centric report paints a story about a broad range of topics through cartography, with different maps masterfully telling different part of the story.”
IMIA at ICC 2025
The 32nd International Cartographic Conference included an August 18 afternoon panel discussion on the topic of “Rethinking the Role of Societies for Enhancing Diversity and Service.”
The panel aimed to inspire dialogue and ideas for building inclusive and impactful communities in cartography, GIScience, geography, and beyond, to identify actionable insights for building inclusive and impactful professional communities.
Moderated by Caglar Koylu, CaGIS, the panel included: Reginald Archer, Tennessee State University; Aileen Buckley, IMIA; Paul Heersink, Canadian Cartographic Association (CCA); and Indy Hurt, CaGIS.
What we’re looking foward to: Frankfurt Book Fair
Visit booth 3.1 G58 on October 15-19 as IMIA continues its tradition of hosting a Member Collective Booth for planned meetings and informal discussions throughout the multi-day event, including socials with IMIA members and guests. More details coming soon.
Thank you to the IMIA Member companies participating in this year’s collective stand.
Sponsor News
USGS Launches New Recreational Topographic Maps
The U.S. Geological Survey has unveiled a new series of 25K Recreational Topos, designed specifically for outdoor enthusiasts. These highly detailed, user-friendly maps feature a 1:25,000 scale and highlight terrain, trails, campsites, picnic areas, and protected lands like national parks and forests.
Available through the USGS topoBuilder application, these digital maps are free to download and customize, making outdoor exploration more accessible and informed for adventurers of all skill levels.
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Ordnance Survey acquires full ownership of Dennis Maps
Ordnance Survey has announced its acquisition of the remaining shares in Dennis Maps, moving from a 25% shareholder to a 100% shareholder.
Since 2010, Ordnance Survey and Dennis Maps have maintained a strong relationship, delivering high-quality mapping products through continued collaboration.
Ordnance Survey has acquired the remaining 75% shareholding from the Felix Dennis Estate. The acquisition supports their wishes to exit the company and wind up the Estate.
The acquisition reflects OS’s commitment to maintaining high-quality mapping products.
Welcome New Members
If you think about hiking maps in Europe, KOMPASS maps established the visual standard. Speaking in numbers, KOMPASS-Karten GmbH, headquartered in Innsbruck, Austria, is the global leader in outdoor cartography.
The company has transformed in the last years and provides digital maps and operates as an external service provider. Due to their well-known consumer brand in German-speaking countries and their distribution opportunities (part of Mairdumont), they can handle both B2B and B2C orders. In good company: KOMPASS is part of Mairdumont known for Marco Polo travel guides.
What’s next? KOMPASS always had a clear focus on outstanding printed maps. Nowadays, they reach out to expand their geodata business as a service provider. As a new member, they say: Feel free to get in touch – best regards from the heart of the Alps.
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While Marikka Williams’ primary role is full-time GIS Professor at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), she is in the visioning stage of establishing a sole proprietorship, MW Cartography and GIS Consulting, as a secondary role.
Her vision is in both roles to help people navigate the modern landscape using the most effective data acquisition technology, analysis and mapping techniques. The core mission is to empower people and organizations with training opportunities, GIS-based analysis, and customized multi-platform mapping services, to make more informed decisions based on integrated facts that support their personal purpose or organizational business practices.
Member News
Longtime friend of IMIA retires from Library of Congress
Robert Morris retired in May 2025 after nearly 40 years of service in the Geography and Map Division (G&M), the world’s largest cartographic library. During his tenure, he held various roles, including Acquisitions Technician, Reference Librarian, Technical Information Specialist, and Acquisitions Specialist. He was instrumental in building and shaping the division’s extensive collections and policies.
In his retirement, Morris continues to contribute to the field. He recently co-processed a collection of maps on postcards and business cards, which were donated to the G&M.
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Stanfords Map of the Month
A-Z’s South West Coast Path Adventure Series
Harpercollins
The perfect companion for those who love the great outdoors, the A-Z Adventure Series features 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey mapping in a convenient book, complete with index.
The South West Coast Path is a National Trail along the Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset coasts. This stunning walk from Minehead, Somerset covers 630 miles to South Haven Point in Poole Harbour, passing through two World Heritage Sites (the Jurassic Coast and the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape), Exmoor National Park, Land’s End and many areas of outstanding natural beauty.
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IMIA Members — is your directory listing up to date?
A benefit of IMIA membership includes promoting your company in our digital Member Directory. This provides other members and industry colleagues with real-time information to create new partnerships to grow your business.
Visit the IMIA Member Directory page and search your company name to verify that your information is up-to-date. If you would like to make changes to your listing, please contact Alina Canca at [email protected]. Thank you!
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Call for Committee Participation
Do you want to get more involved with the IMIA? This is your chance to join one of our active committees: Events, Marketing or Membership & Sponsorship. Help us plan the 2026 calendar, assist with marketing efforts to showcase IMIA or strategize on membership growth to keep IMIA thriving.
If you are interested, please contact Donna De Marco at [email protected].
IMIA Event Save the Dates
December 11, 2025 | Virtual
IMIA Members-only event to celebrate this year’s successes, vote on the new board slate, and learn more about what we’re looking forward to in 2026.
March 9, 2026 | London, UK
Presentations during the afternoon at the Ordnance Survey Geovation Hub, followed by an evening reception at Stanfords on the eve of the London Book Fair.
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May 12: Amazing Race Around Toronto
May 13-14: Forum Day 1-2: Presentations, Panel discussions, Speed Networking, and more!
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Event sponsorships are now available. Registration for individual tickets will open soon.
Upcoming Industry Events
Membership Information
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