Sunny Isles, Fla.  – How many geospatial professionals does it take to build a bicycle? That question was answered thirteen different ways at the Trump International Resort in Sunny Isles, Fla., as members of a national trade association participated in a charity bike build.

Although more than 120 people competed in teams, the real winner was Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade where the bicycles were donated. The participants were in Miami to attend the annual winter conference of MAPPS. They are the owners, principals and senior level executives of companies in the remote sensing, spatial data and GIS field.

"As a trade association, MAPPS has been an advocate for professionalism in the geospatial market. This networking activity to benefit the local community exemplifies the spirit of the organization and its mission. As business owners, MAPPS members are not just interested in profit, but professionalism as well. It was gratifying to make this contribution to young boys and girls who need and deserve a helping hand," said Dick McDonald, MAPPS president (T3 Global Strategies, Bridgeville, Pa.).

Microsoft Corporation (Boulder, Colo.), who provided participants with t-shirts, sponsored the overall event. The sponsors of each of the teams included Microsoft; Aerial Services, Inc. (Cedar Falls, Iowa); Merrick & Company (Aurora, Colo.); Michael Baker Jr., Inc. (Harrisburg, Pa.); Trimble Navigation Limited (Sunnyvale, Calif.); Wilson &  Company, Inc., Engineers & Architects (Salina, Kan.); Woolpert, Inc. (Dayton, Ohio)  and Visual Intelligence (Houston).

"We're very thankful to MAPPS for choosing Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade to receive bikes from this event," said Alex Rodriguez-Roig, executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. "With the efforts of MAPPS members, we continue to make a difference in the lives of many area youth."

The completed bicycles were presented to children from Boys and Girls Clubs' Northwest Club at a ceremony at the conclusion of the event. The bike build took place in conjunction with the associations' annual winter conference, which included attendees from 29 states, Switzerland and Canada.