Dear ICA Colleagues,

The in-person ICC2021 in Florence provided an opportunity to meet with ICA members, sister societies and others strengthening the ICA. The Secretary-General and Treasurer and I met with the top leadership from Rosreestr, Russia’s Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre, and Cartography. Like many national mapping agencies, Rosreestr is responding to the technical, organizational, and data transformational adjustments required in our everchanging world. The information we shared enhanced the value in the all-day session at the ICC2021 that was organized for national mapping, geospatial and statistical agencies.

Meeting with Mr. Oleg Skufinskiy (2nd from right), Head of the Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography, and his team.

There is a long-standing bond between the ICA and the International Hydrographic Organization. We met with the Director and Assistant Director of the IHO where we agreed on the importance of the close collaboration between the two international organizations. Our colleagues from the IHO expressed their sincere appreciation to the ICA and the Local Organizing Committee for encouraging the in-person opportunities made possible during the ICC. Having the successful and safe in-person event serves as an example for other international organizations. We also committed to continue the immensely important responsibility to serve on the FIG/IHO/ICA International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers. This week also included a meeting with the International Map Industry Association where we shared common interests and opportunities for future engagement.

Lysandros Tsoulos (Vice-Chair of the ICA-IHO Commission on Marin Cartography), Leonel Manteigas (Assistant Director IHO), Abri Kampfer (Director IHO), Tim Trainor (President ICA), Thomas Schulz (Secretary-General and Treasurer ICA).

Lastly, we met with representatives from the UN in planning for the next ICC in Cape Town, South Africa in August of 2023. The conference theme “Smart Cartography for Sustainable Development” aligns very well with the geospatial priorities for the UN Committee on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM). There are several potential collaborative possibilities between the ICA and the UN for encouraging participation during the ICC2023 from countries in Africa. As planning develops, check back on the ICA and ICC2023 websites for more details.

Greg Scott (United Nations) and Tim Trainor (President ICA) during a keynote speech on «Cartography In An Age Of Digital Transformation».

– Tim Trainor
President of the International Cartographic Association

Dear ICA Colleagues,

The 30th International Cartographic Conference was a resounding success! The courage of the Florence Local Organizing Committee (LOC) resulted in 630 participants who were able to benefit from a rich program in cartography and GIScience, with 309 colleagues in person. The program evidence included 563 submitted abstracts and papers, 16 of which are published in the ICA’s International Journal of Cartography. Other submissions are available in the conference proceedings. During the ICC, there were 4 special panel sessions and 80 technical sessions from which to choose.

The university venue made it possible for everyone to experience the scientific program while those in person had the added benefit of events that highlighted the beautiful art, history, and architecture of the Renaissance City. Most in person colleagues came from Europe. Other regions were represented by Chile, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Two in-person keynotes were offered as, on the last full day, Professor Menno-Jan Kraak highlighted the successful collaboration between the United Nations and the ICA in the joint publication “Mapping for a Sustainable World.”

During the Closing Ceremony, Paola Zamperlin and Margherita Azzari offered summary details of the conference. This was followed by a series of ICA awards, the results of the International Cartographic Exhibition and recognition of ICA scholarship awardees, all of which will be shared in a subsequent blog. Professor Giuseppe Scanu, President of the Italian Cartographic Society, offered a vote of thanks to the Local Organizing Committee and supporters of the ICC.

It was not possible for colleagues from South Africa to travel to Italy but that did not dampen their excitement for inviting all of us to Cape Town in 2023 for the 31st International Cartographic Conference and 19th General Assembly. The South Africa Committee offered a video enticing us to come along to Cape Town which was supplemented with a detailed presentation on what to expect and key dates to note which are now live on the ICC2023 website.

The Closing Ceremony concluded with a few remarks by your president on the successful implementation of this notable event due to the endurance of the LOC, the interest and dedication of the participants, and the appreciated support by the University of Florence, the host city, Florence, and region of Tuscany. We then bid farewell until the next time we meet.

– Tim Trainor
President of the International Cartographic Association

 
 
Photos by Stephan Wondrak – thanks!

Dear ICA Colleagues,

The halls of the University of Florence are lively with ICC conference goers as they move from one session to another while our colleagues on-line from distant lands present, observe, and participate in sessions of their choosing. Dependence on internet connections from near and far is not perfect in a hybrid environment, but most sessions appear to work well. The International Cartographic Exhibition opened on Monday at the Italian Military Geographic Institute as well as the Children’s Cartographic Exhibition at the Palazzo Medici Riccardi.

Two special sessions are highlighted in this blog. What was learned from the special session on “Geospatial Data, Dashboards, Analytics and Scientific Communication – Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic”? While the achievements have had an unparalleled global impact, there are more questions than lessons learned. This is critically important work that demands for more attention. This discussion needs to continue.

A second special session convened for National Mapping, National Geospatial, and National Statistical Agencies where they experienced a day of collaboration and information sharing. The United Nations Secretariat for UN-GGIM presented details on the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF) where resource information was shared that is available on the UN-GGIM website. Several developing countries have been testing comprehensive IGIF information and tools. The UK Ordnance Survey discussed a collaboration with Zambia that is a model for data sharing, resource enhancement, and technology transfer that offers potential further development and use. Lastly, while the recent ICA/UN publication “Mapping for a Sustainable World” focuses primarily on thematic mapping topics, NMAs, NGAs, and NSOs were challenged to use the book’s construct to expand beyond their traditional work environments and product offerings.

– Tim Trainor
President of the International Cartographic Association

 
 
Photos by Stephan Wondrak – thanks!

Dear ICA Colleagues,

The 30th ICC is underway. On Monday, December 13, 16 Commissions had pre-conference workshops. Familiar and new faces began arriving which was such a pleasure where we engaged with our colleagues from around the world. Over 260 registrants were in person while even more registered for the on-line option where together, they represented over 60 countries.

Tuesday was the Opening Ceremony in the Salone Dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio, which was so ornate with works by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. There were informative talks by several dignitaries from Florence while two colleagues were awarded ICA’s highest award, the Carl Mannerfelt Gold Medal: Ulrich Freitag and Alan MacEachren.

Wednesday, many people continued their introduction to the conference as they registered. Sessions began on a variety of topics as part of the scientific program where a hybrid option was made available for the first International Cartographic Conference. Dr. Greg Scott from the UN-GGIM Secretariate delivered a great keynote address on Cartography in the Age of Digital Transformation. Several engaging questions were posed, most of which came from on-line participants. During the day nine ICA Commissions and Working Groups conducted their business meetings toward advancing their terms-of-reference. It was a good beginning to the ICC.

– Tim Trainor
President of the International Cartographic Association

 
 
Photos by Stephan Wondrak – thanks!