Reston, VA, May 27, 2015 -- MAPPS, the only national association exclusively comprised of private firms in the remote sensing, spatial data and geographic information systems field in the United States, today announced its annual Summer Conference will be held July 12-15 in Sunriver, Oregon.

The conference of the leading geospatial firms in the United States features continuing education, business information and intelligence, networking, and collaboration, featuring principals, owners, partners, and senior executive professionals in firms engaged in surveying, photogrammetry, aerial photography, LiDAR, hydrography, satellite and airborne remote sensing, bathymetry, charting, mobile mapping, aerial and satellite image processing, GPS, and GIS data collection and conversion services. MAPPS also includes Associate Member Firms, which are companies that provide hardware, software, products and services to the geospatial profession in the United States and other firms from around the world. Independent Consultant Members are sole proprietors engaged in consulting in or to the geospatial profession, or provide a consulting service of interest to the geospatial profession.

Sessions at the Sunriver conference will include underground infrastructure and utility location, next generation LiDAR, CFedS, a national license for photogrammetrists and other geospatial professionals, data sharing, the POB top 100 market study, and UAS.

The keynote address will be presented by James Anspach, a recognized leader in the field of subsurface utility engineering. He is an authority on standard of care issues for the utility damage prevention and the practice of subsurface utility engineering. He serves on numerous national and international committees regarding utility detection, mapping, damage prevention, and standards, is a frequent lecturer at universities on utility issues and has served in management positions on thousands of utility mapping and/or coordination projects. Mr. Anspach is Chair of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Utility Engineering Committee and is Chair of ASCE 38, Standard Guideline for the Collection and Depiction of Existing Subsurface Utility Data.

"MAPPS conferences are known as a forum for the development of business-to-business relationships," said Executive Director John Palatiello. "The Sunriver conference will feature an outstanding business and technical program, opportunities for continuing education and professional development, and meeting principals of other firms for teaming on future projects."

MAPPS has posted the program of sessions on its website ( www.mapps.org).

MAPPS provides member firms opportunities for networking and developing business-to-business relationships, information sharing, education, public policy advocacy, market growth, and professional development and image enhancement. For more information on MAPPS, including membership, please visit www.MAPPS.org.

ABOUT MAPPS

MAPPS is the only national association of firms in the surveying, spatial data and geographic information systems field in the United States. MAPPS member firms are engaged in surveying, photogrammetry, satellite and airborne remote sensing, aerial photography, hydrography, aerial and satellite image processing, GPS and GIS data collection and conversion services. Their associate members include firms that provide products and services to member firms, as well as other firms world-wide. For more information, visit www.mapps.org.