Esri Announces 2016 Storytelling with Maps Contest

Redlands, California—April 5, 2016—Esri is inviting people to submit their top Esri Story Map projects for a chance to win prizes and peer recognition at the Esri User Conference. Contest participants can submit up to three preexisting or new story maps between now and May 23, 2016.

Story maps come in many forms and have a wide range of business and educational uses. They can help explain how a countywide penny tax is spent or provide an interactive lesson about forest ecology.

"Story maps are more than communication tools—they're also powerful expressions of creativity," said Allen Carroll, leader of the Esri Story Map team. "We launched this contest to celebrate the creative and innovative uses of this exciting new storytelling medium."

Submissions will be judged on factors such as design, user experience, impact, and overall creativity in telling an engaging story. All entries must make use of one of the Esri Story Map apps. Entries may be hosted in ArcGIS Online or on another publicly accessible server. Contest participants are encouraged to customize their Story Map apps to show off their personal creativity and style and to suit their particular audience's needs.

Esri will award first-, second-, and third-place prizes in five categories:

• Travel/Destinations/Recreation
• Infrastructure/Planning/Government
• Science/Technology/Education
• Culture/History/Events
• Conservation/Environment/Sustainability

One grand prize will be awarded to the best overall Story Map entry, as determined by the contest judges. Here are the prizes:

• Grand Prize/Best Overall: Airfare, accommodations, and registration for one person to attend the 2016 Esri User Conference
• First Place: A GoPro camera, a plaque, and a certificate
• Second Place: An Esri Press book of the winner's choice, a plaque, and a certificate
• Third Place: An Esri Press book of the winner's choice, a plaque, and a certificate

Submissions must be received by 5:00 p.m. (PDT) on May 23. Winners and their Story Map entries will be revealed at the 2016 Esri User Conference.