Mappers are the network that provide the passion and the eyes on the ground, making OpenStreetMap the best map in the world. State of the Map brings mappers, programmers, practitioners, entrepreneurs, and policy makers together to connect and advance that map.

The OSM community invites you to submit session proposals at the 2016 State of the Map, by May 21.

This year, we are especially proud of the diversity of people and organizations helping to build, strengthen, and elevate the map; and those who are recognizing an open map’s potential to advance various missions. We’re excited to be growing our community of mappers and welcome applications for innovative and interactive sessions.

You are encouraged to submit proposals for 20 minute talks, 5 minute lightning talks, and 90 minute workshops that will result in progress and excitement in the world of OpenStreetMap. The deadline is May 21, 2016.

Apply here

Note: You can respond in English, en français, auf Deutsch, or in het Nederlands.

We’re excited to read your ideas for State of the Map 2016!
State of the Map Organizing Committee

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This September 23-25th, we will hold OpenStreetMap’s 2016 State of the Map conference in Brussels, Belgium. Come make the most important gathering of open mapping enthusiasts a reality by sponsoring this amazing event. From scholarships to low-ticket prices to social events, the organizations that step up to support the State of the Map conference help create the future of the OpenStreetMap community and project. Sponsoring organizations are able to directly connect with the creators and developers of OpenStreetMap.

Help us create the best OpenStreetMap conference to date by sponsoring State of the Map. Download our prospectus, and to discuss your options, contact us at sponsors@stateofthemap.org.  

Last week’s terrorist events in Brussels have been deeply shocking. They hit close for us who are organizing this year’s State of the Map in this beautiful city. We are fortunate to report that everyone involved in planning activities is safe. Now our thoughts are with those affected by the attacks this week in Brussels but also with the many victims of terrorism in the world.

OpenStreetMap is a global community and our mission to map the world tears down barriers and brings together people from all over the globe.

So now more than ever, we invite you to attend this year’s State of the Map to celebrate this spirit that stands in opposition of the terrorism that is trying to divide us today.

One map, one community – we’re looking forward to seeing you in September.

Your State of the Map organizing committee.

PS: We are monitoring the situation closely as Brussels is recovering from the attack and assess security measures at the conference. If you have any questions or concerns regarding State of the Map and the recent terrorist attacks, send us a line.

The state of the map working group are delighted to announce that the call for venues for 2017 is now open!

http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/State_Of_The_Map_2017/Call_for_venues

Why so early?

Following on from last year we are opening the call for venues early. This gives you the greatest flexibility over dates you can pick in 2017. It also makes it easier for others who may be wanting to run OpenStreetMap events – we can assist with calendar planning to help avoid any problematic clashes.

How’s SotM 2016 shaping up?

Planning for State of the Map 2016 in Brussels is coming along nicely. We’ve got a date, a great venue and have also secured a hotel deal for the delegates. Keep up to date with all the latest news about event tickets, scholarships and the “call for presentations” by signing up to our newsletter.

What’s the vision for 2017?

State of the Map has traditionally been an annual conference of a few hundred delegates. During 2015 we looked at the key aims of the OSM get together and developed a vision for 2017. The vision is sufficiently broad to accept all styles of bid – we’re open to new ideas if a compelling case is put forward.

Contact us

The State of the Map working group is here to help you. This year we have provided a template to help you when it comes to recording details about potential venues and catering services. We encourage you to contact us on info@stateofthemap.org as early as possible so that we can provide guidance if required.

— State of the Map, working group

State of the Map 2016 is set for September 23-25, 2016 in Brussels, Belgium! The organizing team has really ramped up for the past few weeks — we’re getting excited! We have a couple updates today on accommodations and sponsorship opportunities, and look out for a lot more over the next month or two on proposal, scholarships, and tickets.

First, we’ve made a great deal with Brussels Booking Desk for reduced hotel rates for State of the Map attendees. Convenient rooms at good rates. More details on the State of the Map website. Community collected accommodations options can be found on the wiki.

And the State of the Map 2016 sponsorship package is ready. Interesting in sponsoring? Or know a potential sponsor? Send us an email at sponsors@stateofthemap.org to receive more details.

Get involved!
There’s lots to get ready for State of the Map, so if you’re excited to help out, you’re welcome to get in touch with the team. Email us at team@stateofthemap.org to get involved!

The OpenStreetMap Foundation has been organising the annual State of the Map (SotM) conference since 2007. These events have proved popular with our community and beyond, and have grown from a few dozen attendees to a high of 300 attendees at SotM 2013. This year we had two good bids to host SotM 2015, but issues beyond our control caused concerns about whether we could make this into a success. The SotM working group, with the support of the OSMF board, has therefore agreed that there will be no OSM Foundation organised conference this year.

As the OpenStreetMap community has grown over the last 10 years, so has the conference scene. Even without OSMF organising a conference this year, there will still be a number of OSM-centered conferences, including SotM US at the UN’s New York headquarters in June, and SotM-Scotland in October. There are also many webinars, mapping parties, hack events and socials planned for 2015.

SotM-US will be held at the UN headquarters in New York, 6-8 June 2015
(image CC-BY 2.0 Dan McKay)

The StateoftheMap Organizing Committee has taken on a number of new members to support our efforts in 2015, 2016 and beyond. We are currently drafting a proposal on the future of SotM in which we are looking at the role of SotM within the project and how the OSMF SotM relates to the various regional events. We already have some views but we encourage you to share yours in the comments below.

Preparations for State of the Map 2016 will be starting soon and we encourage local groups who may be interested in hosting SotM in their home country to contact us early.

Blog post by the StateoftheMap Organizing Committee