26th Annual NJDEP GIS Mapping Contest Rules

 

April 18, 2013

 

 

The Mapping Contest is an opportunity to share one's work and expertise with colleagues in an enjoyable atmosphere. Refreshments are available as contestants explain and display their work. This contest focuses on the exchange of ideas. Any GIS user, from novice to expert, is apt to learn about an application or technique not considered in the past. The contest also is a good forum to get ideas for layouts and graphic design. Whether to get technical motivation, artistic inspiration, or just a better understanding of GIS, all DEP, state, federal, non-profit, student, municipal, local, and county GIS users are encouraged to attend and participate.

 

Arrival Times Map Presenters - If you plan on presenting a map in the contest, please arrive at the NJDEP Public Hearing Room NO LATER than 9:15 AM to receive your contest materials.  You will then enter the main event room where an assistant will help you find the correct location to post your map.

 

Observers - If you are coming to the contest as an observer, please arrive at 9:30 AM as the event will begin promptly at 10:00 AM.  Arriving early will ensure time available to enjoy refreshments and network with colleagues prior to the beginning of the contest.

 

Map Registration – Map registration must take place using the online form at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/gis/mc2013.htm.  All maps must be registered no later than two days prior to the event - (April 16, 2013).  There will be no walk-up maps accepted this year.  Once registered, the map creator will receive an e-mail notification from NJDEP/BGIS requesting a digital copy of the map to be submitted for presentation on the contest day.  Digital copies of all registered maps must be sent to NJDEP/BGIS no later than two days prior to the contest (April 16, 2013). 

 

Permissible Map Entries – Each presenter is limited to entering a maximum of 2 hard-copy maps in the contest.  Each hard-copy entry must be printed on paper and may be attached to a board or some other type of sturdy material for display.  Paper maps will be posted either along the main event room wall, on a previously supplied easel, or against some type of stand.  There is no minimum size for paper maps; however, a maximum size of ‘ANSI E’ or 34” x 44” will be enforced.  Additionally, each map entered may not comprise more than two sheets of the maximum size paper.  Smaller maps may be entered using several pages when necessary.  It is also advised to use high quality paper for all maps to avoid any fraying or wrinkling that may occur.  All map entries must in some way contain data that pertains to New Jersey.  The use of data in other states in addition to New Jersey is permitted.

 

Presentation of Map Entries - Each map entered in the contest may officially be presented to the audience during the presentation portion of the contest.  In the interests of time, presenters will be timed ONE MINUTE only to describe each map.  When the one minute is declared over by the official timekeeper, the presenter must complete his/her description immediately to allow for the next map to be presented.  All entries must be left in the main event room after the contest is over.  Winning entries may be sent to the ESRI User’s Conference Map Gallery, July 8-12, 2013.  First place winners will be asked to submit a high resolution digital copy of the winning map to NJDEP/BGIS at a future date.  

 

Voting Procedures for Map Entries – Once all map descriptions have been presented, there will be a to-be-determined time slot given for all attendees to vote.  The voting categories for the 2013 hard-copy map competition are listed below: 

 

Selecting a Map Category:  The map creator must select a pre-determined category for his/her map when registering.  Once a pre-determined category is selected, the map author may change that category up to two days prior to the day of the contest (April 16, 2013).  No changes to categories after that time will be permitted

 

Pre-determined Categories:

 

·       Best Data Integration      

·       Best Software Integration

·       Best Instructional Presentation

·       Best Analytical Presentation       

·       Best Small Format          

·       Most Unique

 

Day-of Contest Categories:

 

·       Best Cartographic Design           

·       Newbie of the Year (First-time map entrant)

 

At the contest, each map will be posted in a group alongside maps in the same category.  Attendees must vote for no more than ONE map entry in each of the aforementioned categories.  When a ballot is received with more than one vote per category, only the first vote will be counted.  Attendees are requested to submit no more than ONE ballot per person.  

 

Vote Count Procedures Tallying Votes – Votes will be tallied at the contest venue after a given time period and when a significant amount of ballots have been added to the official ballot box(es).

 

First Place - A map will be considered a first place finisher when it has received the most votes per category.  In the event of a tie for first place, both maps with the highest vote total will be considered first place finishers, and both map presenters will be granted certificates, or awarded medals simultaneously.  If the above instance occurs, there will be no second place award.

 

Second Place – A map will be considered a second place finisher when it has received the second highest amount of votes in one category

 

Certificates/General Awards – After votes are tallied, first and second place maps in each category will be considered victorious and will receive a certificate each.  In the likely event that a certain map wins first or second place awards for more than one category, the map presenter will receive certificates and medals for each category won.  However, the presenter of said map will be limited to no more than two certificates/medals for each winning entry.