AeA, ITAA Announce Merger

Merger Brings Together Nation's Leading Technology Trade Associations
to Create Lobbying Powerhouse

Washington, DC and Arlington, VA (December 9, 2008) - The Boards of Directors of AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association) and the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) announced today that they have each approved the merger of the two trade associations' memberships and programs. The combined associations will become The Technology Association of America. The merger, which will close by the end of the year, will give rise to a stronger voice for the technology industry by bringing together the largest number of tech companies throughout the United States.

"For all of its impact on everyday life, the technology industry has had insufficient clout in Washington and the state capitals - until now," said ITAA Chairman Hank Steininger, a managing partner at Grant Thornton. "Together, our associations will become the clear leader, continuing a chain of consolidation that ITAA began in January."

"With the onset of a new year, we are faced with many obstacles and opportunities," said AeA Chairman Peter J. Boni, President and CEO of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. "The consolidation of these two great associations offers the technology industry a strong voice on Capitol Hill and extends the new Administration a united partner to foster innovation and address the challenges ahead."

The new organization, representing approximately 1,500 member companies, will advocate on technology issues in state capitals across the country and provide programs in every industry center. AeA's extensive network of regional councils across the U.S., combined with ITAA's alliances with over 16,000 companies through 40 regional associations with the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), will provide an unrivaled national presence.

The two associations will bring that network to Washington, DC through a united federal lobbying operation. An exclusive membership in the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) - a network of 69 technology associations in countries around the world - and offices in Beijing and Brussels will round out The Technology Association of America's robust, grassroots-to-global capability for the technology industry at large.


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About AeA
AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, is dedicated solely to helping our members’ top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, please visit www.aeanet.org.

About ITAA
The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) is the premier IT and electronics industry association working to maintain America’s role as the world’s innovation headquarters. Following its April 1, 2008 merger with the Government Electronics and Information Technology Association (GEIA), ITAA provides leadership in market research, standards development, business development, networking and public policy advocacy to some 350 corporate members doing business in the public and commercial sector markets. These members range from the smallest start-ups to industry leaders offering Internet, software, services and hardware solutions. ITAA offers the industry’s only grassroots-to-global network, carrying the voice of IT to companies, markets and governments at the local, state, national and international levels to facilitate growth and advocacy. The Association maintains a formal alliance with more than 40 regional groups in the U.S. and Canada, representing 16,000 technology-related companies through the Technology Councils of North America. ITAA is also the U.S. member of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance, a network of nearly 70 industry associations from around the world. For more information, visit www.itaa.org.

This page was last updated on 01/06/09.