This post was aggregated form my personal blog ( http://anisakuci.com/2017/09/04/state-of-the-map-2017-it-was-a-blast/ )

My first introduction to OpenStreetMap was almost a year ago, when Redon Skikuli, a fellow friend from Open Labs Hackerspace presented me this great project, which I really liked since the beginning.

I started contributing at OpenStreetMap, editing the map using ID editor in the beginning , adding information to the map, co-organizing small mapathons and events at the local hackerspace that I am part of, and telling people I know, advantages of using OSM. As time passed by, I found out, that State of The Map, which is the annual gathering of OpenStreetMap enthusiasts from all around the world, would happen within a few months, in Aizuwakamatsu, Japan.

I applied with a presentation, and a few weeks later I received the confirmation email from Rob Nickerson. I was thrilled to find out that I was one of the chosen scholars by OSM Foundation to attend the conference, and that was a great opportunity to meet contributors from other countries and communities and go deeper into the OSM ideology.

Months passed by, after struggling to get the visa, with the huge help of Dorothea Kazazi, I finally made it.

The moment has come to attend SoTM for the first time !!

Long trip to arrive in amazing Aizuwakamatsu, but the excitement to be there was way more intense.

The conference started. After registering and receiving some swag and goodies provided by the organizing team and a delicious Japanese tea, time to start the sessions. I held my presentation “How to start an OSM Community” during the first day of the event, in the main hall. I explained how the OSM Community in my country was created and how it grew up, I shared my thoughts about essentials that are needed to have a healthy community, gave some tips on how to encourage new people to join OSM and how to create communities based on a country’s historical and cultural background.

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