"Yes, Senator, GIS is a map, but it is also so much more."

NSGIC has released a series of GIS marketing materials produced under a contract with the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). They follow the development of strategic and business plan templates. Both are part of the Fifty States Initiative, designed to bring all public and private stakeholders together in statewide GIS coordination bodies that help to form effective partnerships and lasting relationships.

The Marketing Materials were designed by GIS professionals under the expert guidance of a public relations and marketing firm. They are intended to help statewide coordination councils market their plans and other initiatives to executives and elected officials.

The marketing materials include a treasure-map-themed "Z-card" that plays on the stereotype image of GIS as map-making software but opens up to reveal the broad spectrum of modern governmental activities that are informed by geospatial data.

There are also a series of issue-focused cards that mark clear statements about the importance of GIS and spatial data coordination for energy planning, economic development, education, and emergency response.

NSGIC has provided a limited number of printed versions of the new marketing materials to each state's GIS Coordinator. The graphics are available on-line on the NSGIC web site.