GISP Map Contest Summary

This year's contest will require an entrant to produce a high quality map of a portion of the U.S. National Bridge Inventory. This will require parsing and geocoding ASCII files in which the NBI is stored, as well as the production of a quality map which could be viewed on the web. First, second, third place and honorable mentions will be awarded.  The winning poster will be taken to the ESRI User Conference and submitted to the ESRI map book, if it was generated with ESRI products.

Who may enter: Anyone is eligible, except those who are going to judge.

Submission Time Frame: March 1 to 31, 2014 - Online portal to accept files along with a required submission form.

Prizes:

• 1^st $500, 2^nd $250, 3^rd $100, People's Choice $500 and Honorable Mentions.

• Each winner (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and People's Choice) will also have their initial certification fee waived if the application is submitted within one year of the date the winners are announced. Current GISPs will have their renewal fees waived at their next recertification date.

• Map submittal earns / qualifies for 1 point under the Contribution to the Profession category.  

Map Contest Rules:

• Only one entry is allowed per person; you do not have to be a GISP to enter.
• You must use at least one state in the 2013 National Bridge Inventory. Contestants must geocode the bridge locations from the ASCII files available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/nbi/ascii.cfm. The record format and the coding guide are linked from this site.

• Use of any software is allowed to create image with the exception of online map portals such as Google Maps or Bing Maps due to copyright and permission restrictions.

• Winner's names will be published on the GISCI website.
• Winners will be required to provide a release to use their map image and to provide all files  used to create the image. A check box will be added to the submission form to capture this    requirement.

• All entries will need to submit metadata in a FGDC compliant format in either an html or text format. The metadata shall include what software products were used and a brief descriptionof the methodology that was used to create the map.    

Map Specifications: 

            Format - PDF

            Map Size - 11" x 17"

            Image File Size Limit - no greater than 5mb

Judging Criteria:

The Outreach Committee will determine the Top 12 and the Guest Judges will select their Best 3.

In addition the Top 12 will be open to on-line voting where the public will select the People's Choice.

Design Criteria Elements for Judging:

Each element will be weighted the same with a maximum number of 5 points to be earned on a 1 to 5 scale

• Accuracy - grammar, punctuation, spelling
• Design/Layout - logical organization and visual flow of text and graphics                   
• Legibility - text font, text size, figures, tables, and graphics
• Visual Appeal - color coordination, geometry, accents, highlights, use of symbology               
• Effective communication - understandable and concise 
• Effective use of Geographic Information - appropriate use and portrayal of spatial data
• Originality - unique presentation

Contact:

Bill Hodge GISP,
Executive Director
GISCI          
Email Contact  
www.gisci.org