East Texas A&M University recently earned the 2025 Interactive Map Partner Award in the Most Creative Map Tour category for its innovative virtual campus tours.

The award was presented by Concept 3D, a company that creates immersive digital experiences, including interactive maps and 360 virtual tours. The company's award announcement stated, “East Texas A&M University sets a new bar for what map tours can achieve as both a storytelling and self-guided exploration tool.”

Presented annually, the Interactive Map Partner Awards celebrate institutions whose digital map tools go beyond simple navigation to provide creative, engaging and accessible user experiences.

East Texas A&M's interactive maps were lauded for telling rich, narrative-driven campus stories.

Concept 3D described ET’s Meaningful Moments and Historic Walking Tours as “two standout examples” from the university’s selection of interactive maps. Other engaging tours include the Campus Life Tour, which introduces prospective students to several exciting campus events and experiences, and the Residence Hall Tour, which allows students to walk through each hall and even take measurements to see if their furniture will fit.

Paul Bryan, director of web applications in the Office of Marketing and Communications at ET, led the design project for the map tours.

“This award affirms what we strive for every day: telling East Texas A&M's story in a way that feels engaging and authentic,” Bryan said.

He added: “Beyond innovative academics and research, college life at ETAMU is a truly enjoyable and memorable time in our students’ lives. We wanted these tours to tell the stories of the experiences that make this place special. ”

East Texas A&M was joined by several other institutions recognized for excellence in interactive mapping. Occidental College received the Most Innovative Map Category award; Lakeland University earned Top Map for Student Engagement, and Crystal Bridges Campus for Art and Wellness was honored for Best Use of Accessible Features.

“We’re proud to work alongside organizations that continue to push the boundaries of what campus mapping can achieve,” said Gordon Boyes, Concept3D CEO.

Read the AP news release from Concept3D.