February 17, 2021 – The International Map Industry Association (IMIA) and the British Cartographic Society (BCS) announced that they have entered into a partnership to work together to help grow the mapping industry and their organizations.
IMIA is a global organization that represents all facets of the mapping industry. BCS is one of the world’s leading cartographic societies.
The IMIA/BCS partnership is structured to enable planning and promotion of joint initiatives such as events, programs, content, publications and other projects as determined by both partners. The goals are to collaboratively raise awareness about the important role mapping plays in the modern world and to promote industry engagement through new marketing and event opportunities.
“This collaboration is a valuable asset for both organizations and their members,” said Dave McIlhagga, IMIA president. “With the power of both organizations promoting each other’s events, educational opportunities, publications and communications we are providing a wide variety of benefits for each other’s members and in turn helping our industry thrive.”
IMIA and BCS’s first joint virtual event “Where Cartography Meets Industry” is slated for March 24, 2021 at 11am EST. The event is free for members of both IMIA and BCS. Registration will open soon at www.imiamaps.org.
“This is a very exciting time of change for the global mapping industry and by partnering with IMIA the BCS will be helping to promote innovative and collaborative approaches to the wider use of maps,” said Seppe Cassettari, BCS President. “We’re delighted that in partnering with IMIA we will afford our members access to a wider range of activities, and extend our charitable goals to promote better mapping in the UK and beyond.”
The IMIA/BCS partnership is the first of its kind for IMIA’s new Affiliate Partner program, which was created last year to engage like-minded organizations to mutually broaden their reach across the full spectrum of the map industry.
“Now, more than ever, partnerships with organizations we trust are key to the growth of our industry,” McIlhagga said. “We are looking forward to working with additional groups to enhance the industry and provide more opportunities for our mapping professionals.
About IMIA
The International Map Industry Association (IMIA) is dedicated to fostering the growth of the mapping and geospatial industry through the exchange of ideas and information, the education of industry trends and technologies, and access to a wide spectrum of mapping leaders. This global organization, with board leadership from around the world, is one collective group with one voice advocating for the growth and success of the international mapping industry. IMIA represents mapmakers, publishers, geospatial technology companies, location-based services, content producers and distributors and plays an active role in helping member organizations achieve their business goals. Connecting the business of maps worldwide is IMIA’s number one priority. www.imiamaps.org
About BCS
The British Cartographic Society (BCS) is a dynamic association of individuals and organizations dedicated to exploring and developing the world of maps. Members include mapping companies, publishers, designers, academics, researchers, map curators, individual cartographers, GIS specialists and members of the public with an interest in maps. The BCS is regarded as one of the world’s leading cartographic societies and its main publication, The Cartographic Journal, is recognized internationally. www.cartography.org.uk
###