Annual Conference Map Contest
Show off your hard work and creativity!
The WLIA Map Contest is a great opportunity to share your best work with others who appreciate quality cartography and innovation. Awards will be presented for the best entries in each category in addition to special awards, all listed below.
Register your Map!
All entries MUST include an uploaded digital version, preferably a PDF.
CATEGORIES:
- Base / Reference Map: Very useful, complete, and documented map sporting good design, layout, labeling, and annotation to feature your data. Example
- Thematic Map: Features prominent, yet appropriate use of cartographic techniques to share a message. (e.g.: Choropleth, Proportional Symbol, Isopleth, Dot Density, Cartogram, etc.) Example
- Mapping Poster: Informative and interesting presentation that highlights innovative geospatial projects or processes. Example
- Black and White Map: Any format and theme, but no hue… a special design challenge! Example
- Brochure / Small Format Map: Brochure's can be any size, but must be designed as a foldable/printable map intended for distribution. Small Format maps must be size B (17” x 11) or smaller; any theme, scale, or extent. Example
- Map Book or Atlas: Must be a bound and easy-to-use map series for any theme. Example
- Most Unique: Unconventional, creative presentation, unique subject and/or materials. Example
- Interactive Map: Website or application designed to share geospatial knowledge with users. Example
- Story Map: Website or application designed to share a geospatially-focused narrative with users. Example
- Student Poster Presentation: NEW this year, we will have a special area and time for student to present their work to our membership. These can be from a wide variety of topics and gives our future members and professionals an outlet to network and public speak in a low stress atmosphere. Limited to students only!
- Youth: A special category for Junior Cartographers age 17 and under! See the Rules and Release forms for more info. Hard copy release forms can be be mailed or submitted with the on-line registration.
A map can only be entered in one category.
SPECIAL AWARDS:
- Best Student Map
- Best Private Sector Map
- Best Public Sector Map
- President’s Choice
- Keynote's Choice
- People’s Choice (Adult)
- People's Choice (Youth)
Hard copy maps should be delivered to the Map Contest registration booth on-site at the conference or mailed to:
WLIA
PO Box 389
Wild Rose, WI 54984
All hard copy maps must be present at the conference to be judged and receive an award.
KEY DATES:
November 2, 2026 – Online registration open.
February 10, 2027 – Submission deadline for Interactive Map and Story Map categories.
February 12, 2027 – Online submission for Map Contest closes.
February 18, 2027 – All non-web maps must be delivered to the Map Gallery at the Annual Conference. In-person registrations will be accepted in the Map Gallery until 10 AM.
Map Contest Judging: In-person judging will occur in the Map Gallery on February 18th at 5 PM. Virtual judging for the Interactive and Story map categories will occur the week before the Conference. If you would like to be a judge, please email the Map Contest Co-Chairs.
All hard copy maps must be present at the conference to be judged and receive an award.
Map Gallery Archive