TechAmerica is a

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

technology Technology is the application of knowledge to reach practical goals in a specifiable and reproducible way. The word ''technology'' may also mean the product of such an endeavor. The use of technology is widely prevalent in medicine, science, ...

trade association A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association, sector association or industry body, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific Industry (economics), industry. An industry tra ...

. It was formed from the merger of AeA (formerly known as the America Electronics Association), the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA), the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA), and the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) in 2009. The organization claims to be the "high-tech industry's leading trade association". TechAmerica represents 1,200 companies within the public and commercial sectors of the economy. TechAmerica's stated goal is to provide "grassroots to global" representation for its members. To this end, the organization maintains an advocacy program in all 50 US state capitals, in Washington, DC, and in several international locations. In May 2014,

CompTIA The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is an American non-profit trade association that issues professional certifications for the information technology (IT) industry. It is considered one of the IT industry's top trade associa ...

, a nonprofit trade association that serves IT professionals, announced it had acquired TechAmerica in a move to expand its public-sector presence.

History

In 2009, AeA and ITAA merged to form TechAmerica.

AeA

AeA started as the West Coast Electronics Manufacturing Association (WCEMA), formed by David Packard and 25 of Hewlett-Packard's suppliers in 1943. Within 20 years, the association had gathered over 200 members. In 1969, WCEMA was rebranded the Western Electronic Manufacturers Association (WEMA). Less than two years following that rebranding, membership reached to over 600. Once again, the association was renamed in 1977 to the American Electronics Association. In 2001, the branding was shortened to AeA.

ITAA

The Association of Data Processing Services Organization (ADAPSO) was formed in 1961. This association was renamed in 1991 to the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA). In 2008, ITAA merged with the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA) and the Government Electronics Industry Association (GEIA).

2012 Cyber Attack

The organization's website was attacked in April 2012 for their support of the controversial CISPA bill.

Sale of standards program

In July 2013, TechAmerica sold its standards program to

SAE International SAE International, formerly named the Society of Automotive Engineers, is a United States-based, globally active professional association and standards developing organization for engineering professionals in various industries. SAE Internatio ...

Four lobbyists depart, TechAmerica sues for breach of employee contract

On November 4, 2013 it was announced that four TechAmerica lobbyists: Trey Hodgkins, Pam Walker, Erica McCann and Carol Henton had resigned, lured to the

Information Technology Industry Council The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) is a Washington, D.C.-based global trade association that represents companies from the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. As an advocacy organization, ITI works to influenc ...

(ITI) which was able to raise $50,000 each from more than a dozen of its members to fund the acquisition of the four TechAmerica lobbyists. TechAmerica filed a lawsuit against ITI and three of the departing lobbyists in D.C. Superior Court. TechAmerica's complaints include that the defecting lobbyists conspired in their new positions to use old contacts and other information acquired while at TechAmerica to help ITI find new clients for its neophyte effort focused on government procurement

Locations

Washington, DC ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan ...

(Headquarters) *

Silicon Valley Silicon Valley is a region in Northern California that serves as a global center for high technology and innovation. Located in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area, it corresponds roughly to the geographical areas San Mateo County ...

Beijing, China } Beijing ( ; ; ), alternatively romanized as Peking ( ), is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the center of power and development of the country. Beijing is the world's most populous national capital city, with over 21 ...

Services

Publications

* Cyberstates - A report which quantifies the high-tech industry on a state-by-state basis in the United States. * Competitiveness Series - Reports covering relevant issues within the high-tech industry and U.S. competitiveness.

Senior staff

Todd Thibodeaux President & CEO Elizabeth Hyman Executive Vice President, Public Advocacy Nancy Hammervik Senior Vice President, Industry Relations David Sommer Chief Financial Officer L. Daniel Liutikas Chief Legal Officer

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Techamerica Technology trade associations Mass media companies