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!
