Geospatial data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are critical infrastructure in the United States, vital for governance, economic activity, environmental management, and national security. Effective national-level coordination is essential to manage this complex ecosystem. The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) guides the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), a nationwide framework of policies, standards, and partnerships for geospatial data. Key federal agencies, including the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), serve as primary stewards of foundational national geospatial data. The National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC) provides crucial non-federal perspectives to guide these federal efforts. This entry outlines the primary federal bodies, programs, and communities of practice that constitute the U.S. national geospatial enterprise, their interconnections, and the persistent challenges they face.
There are a great many professional associations in the geospatial sector. They provide a great deal of value to the geospatial community and professionals working in that community. The value can be described in terms of professional development, technological and organizational advancement, advocacy, governance, and leadership. The following text explains the various ways in which professional associations provide value to the community.
The geospatial community has grown and evolved tremendously over the past five decades and now includes formal and informal collections of individuals, groups, institutions, and organizations with similar or complementary goals and aspirations connected to the production and use of geospatial data and technology. This entry documents the roles played by professional organizations as well as the private and not-for-profit sectors, and the nature of their interactions and agendas in the coming years.
This entry describes the breadth and size of the geospatial industry, the value associated with this sector, and the major players based on the membership of the World Geospatial Industry Council and recent compilations of industry leaders published by GIM International and Geospatial World, and the likely path forward.