Community voting for State of the Map 2016 is now OPEN! Inspired by the community that makes OSM a reality we want you (!!) to inform the conference program.

Community voting means you now have a say in the talks that mark this historic conference. To participate in the vote, please head over to the survey site.

After you click the link, we will ask you to prove you’re not a robot. You can provide us with your OSM username to help us with spam detection. You’ll then get a huge page of talks to rate, sorted at random. Feel free to rate as many as you like. Just don’t leave the page open for too long, as your session might time out. When you’re tired of it, just scroll down, hit Next until you can Submit your answers.

This is a breakdown of what it all means:

Voting will be open until June 10. We want to hear from the community but also know your privacy is paramount. Your vote can be anonymous if you wish, and will always be confidential.

You matter in the creation of OpenStreetMap and we want your voice to be heard in the creation of its conference. So vote!

The open source survey tool is kindly hosted by Made4it (http://www.made4it.be/), a Belgian data analysis and market research company.

On September 23 we convene in Brussels to discuss the achievements and future of OpenStreetMap at the international State of the Map 2016 conference.

SOTM 2016 Session Proposals and Scholarships! 

The call for proposals and scholarships closed the other week and the organizing committee is hard at work curating a conference from all the amazing (really amazing) applications. But we wanted to let you know something first. We had more session and scholarship submissions than ever!!! Counting any OpenStreetMap conference!! Ever!

Our world-breaking numbers for State of the Map 2016 are:

• 196 session proposals!!!!
• 157 scholarship applications!!!

Everyone has something to contribute to OpenStreetMap and so many want to be at the international conference to say it.  In the coming weeks, the conference program committee will read through each of these submissions and we’ll start to put together the program. So expect more news on the State of the Map schedule by end of June. It’s going to be an exciting summer and a geo happy September. We hope to see everyone there!

Early bird tickets for State of the Map 2016 are now on sale! Come register for this international gathering of the OpenStreetMap community. Move fast. We might sell out! 😉

State of the Map offers value for anyone excited about open location data. Our main conference days will feature nearly 50 talks, open spaces for gatherings, and exhibition areas where individuals and organizations can meet. Hundreds of OpenStreetMap community members are expected to attend and we want you there! Register now or if you need financial assistance, apply for a scholarship.

Here are your links:

• Tickets!
• Scholarship Application (Deadline May 21st)
• Sponsorship Information

The early bird catches the worm. Or “Le monde appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tôt.” The world of OpenStreetMap belong to those who get (tickets) early.

OpenStreetMap is a world map of many people and places. And we want you all there for our upcoming State of the Map conference in Brussels.

Apply now for a scholarship and join us for State of the Map in Brussels!

Have you made an amazing map, written mappy code, contributed documentation, organized an event, or been an advocate for the OpenStreetMap community? Have you done it all? We want your voice as part of our international gathering. Don’t let the cost of travel stand in your way!

We use part of our State of the Map budget to assist individuals who may not be able to attend State of the Map for whatever financial reason. Support for one another is core to the mission of OpenStreetMap and our State of the Map conference. Scholarships help support the growth of a diverse and international map and an international conference. The point of our map is community, and we want you there.

Application can be found here.

We will carefully review every application and try to get you to Brussels. The scholarships cover full or partial cost of flights, travel expenses and accommodations. So let us know what you need and we will listen.

Your deadline: Sunday May 21, 2016.

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

If you have any questions, concerns or want to provide additional information, please contact us at scholarships@stateofthemap.org.

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.