STIA

About Us

Established in 1996, the Spatial Technologies Industry Association (STIA) is dedicated to increasing the participation of commercial geospatial technology companies in public policy decision-making, the legislative process, and regulatory actions that directly affect the vitality and success of the geospatial industry in the United States.

STIA supports public policy that expands opportunities for government to utilize commercial geospatial technologies that enable more informed decision-making, greater efficiency, increased accountability, better management, and improved services for citizens - geo-information government.

The STIA believes that the industry's growth and prosperity can be enhanced by:

• Significantly increasing public sector investment in commercial geospatial technologies and spatial data.
• Building awareness among key public policy decision makers about the advantages of geo-government.
• Establishing data standards widely supported by industry.
• Promoting standards for open and interoperable GIS and IT systems.
• Creating more incentives for private-public sector "win-win" partnerships.

Since the association's inception, more than 100 companies have participated in informational forums, educational events, and public policy development efforts sponsored by STIA. These activities have helped to build understanding between government and industry about the operation of the commercial market place - how public sector actions affect the industry's bottom line.

During the past 30 years, geospatial technologies have evolved greatly from government defense, intelligence, scientific research programs; academic research; and public and private sector projects to mainstream enterprise solutions that are mission critical for governance and commerce in the 21st Century. The rise of geo-information commerce will be one of the important factors contributing to future increases in productivity and economic growth in America and around the globe.

Geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), remote sensing, and spatial data are converging in widely used computing technologies. This integration is being driven by improvements in computer hardware as well as advances in database, web, and communications technologies.

As commercial firms develop and deploy integrated geospatial technologies, increasingly they are encountering government programs, regulations, and legislative provisions that affect their success in the market place.

The STIA is the voice and champion of industry while representing the interests of its member companies in the public policy arena.

What We Offer

What STIA Offers Its Members

Representation in Washington, D.C.
Federal government, policy, and budget decisions directly affect the bottom line of industry. STIA plays a proactive role developing public policy that benefits companies that make up the geospatial technologies industry. This goal is accomplished by constant contact with the Congress, White House, and federal agencies. Through policy forums and meetings with Members of Congress, White House officials, and federal administrators as well as participation in issue-specific coalitions, STIA advances the interests of the industry.

Liaison with the FGDC and Federal Departments and AgenciesSTIA has established close working relationships with many top federal government officials. In 2002, STIA was appointed to the FGDC Steering Committee. This appointment builds on the past work with the FGDC which includes serving on the 1999 GeoData Policy Forum Steering Committee.

In addition, with the support of the FGDC, STIA published a report to develop policy recommendations intended to increase private sector participation in, and the support of, the NSDI.

STIA has positive relationships with the Department of Defense's National Imagery and Mapping Agency and many civilian federal agencies including: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Aeronautical and Space Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Department of State.

Information about Federal Government Programs and Congressional Actions
President George Bush's Fiscal Year 2003 budget proposes a record $53 billion in spending for information technology programs administered by a myriad of federal departments, agencies, sub-agencies, commissions, etc. Understanding the geospatial business opportunities in the vast and complex federal budget and congressional appropriations process requires a considerable amount of analysis and knowledge about federal programs and key officials.

STIA provides timely information about actions of the executive and legislative branches of the federal government that assists its member firms to make more informed decisions about how to best pursue opportunities to do business with the federal government. STIA maintains an industry leading web site and sends e-mail bulletins to keep members informed about new developments.

Networking Opportunities
By participating in events organized or co-sponsored by STIA, representatives from member firms have many opportunities to meet other leaders and senior executives in the geospatial technologies industry as well as top federal government officials. Members benefit from developing contacts and forming relationships that further business activities.

Affiliates

Overview of the STIA Public Sector Affiliates Program
STIA established the Public Sector Affiliates (PSA) program to enable public sector organizations to participate in the association’s forums, conferences, courses, and non-advocacy activities that contribute to the growth and development of the spatial technologies. Also, the PSA provides participating entities with the opportunity to communicate their interests to STIA’s professional staff and utilize the association as a liaison to the geospatial industry.

The rights and privleges of entities participating in the PSA program are expressly stated in Section 3.3 of the STIA Bylaws.

Contact Us

Spatial Technologies Industry Association
Suite 360
901 15th St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20005

Tel: (202) 216-9116
Fax: (202) 216-0363

www.spatialtech.org
fcorle@spatialtech.org