January 06, 2014 -- Reston, Virginia - MAPPS ( www.mapps.org), the association for private sector geospatial firms, today announced its 2014 conference schedule. MAPPS will host four conferences in 2014 that center on business development, education, technology applications, and public policy for owners, principals and senior executives of private sector geospatial firms. 

The year will begin with the MAPPS Winter Conference, February 9-13, 2014 at the Lodge at Torrey Pines in the La Jolla area of San Diego, CA. The program of the conference is highlighted by sessions on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), emerging technologies, business development, best practices, and regulatory impacts on the geospatial profession. Regular registration deadline is January 16.

MAPPS members will hear from Federal agency partners and walk the halls of Congress during a two-day conference, April 1-2, in Washington, DC during the Federal Programs Conference. On the first day, Federal agency officials will provide comprehensive overviews of geospatial programs and contracting opportunities. Past programs have included presentations from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), United States Geological Survey (USGS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), among other civil and defense agencies. The highlight of the conference comes on the second day when MAPPS members visit with their members of Congress on Capitol Hill to advocate for legislation and policies impacting the geospatial market. 

The MAPPS Summer Conference will take place in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on July 27-31. Much like the winter conference, the program will provide market insights and networking opportunities. The program will be announced in the spring. 

MAPPS will host the Geospatial & Engineering International Conference, September 25-26 in Alexandria, VA. The theme, "Entering and Expanding Global Business Opportunities," will provide information and practical knowledge to enable firms to export their services, data and products to overseas clients. It will feature agencies and organizations that finance, procure, coordinate, and manage geospatial and engineering projects outside the United States with presentations on their programs, budgets, requirements, and procurement procedures. Agencies that assist U.S. companies with exporting will inform firms of services available to assist with expansion into the global market. This conference was postponed to 2014 due to the U.S. government shutdown in October 2013. More information and program is available on the conference website, www.geointernational.org. 

"MAPPS conferences are known throughout the geospatial community as a unique experience. The association has learned that there is an importance to education, that not only simulates networking, but enhances knowledge at a professional, personal and business level," said John Palatiello, MAPPS Executive Director. "MAPPS meetings give principals and senior executives in member firms the ability to learn about advances in the profession while fostering business partnerships." 

For more information and to register for the MAPPS conferences, 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.