Information groups announce merger
Specialized Information Publishers Association and Software & Information Industry Association, have merged.
While a few legal details are being worked out, SIPA and SIIA already have started to work out integration of staff and operations. SIPA is moving into SIIA offices in Washington and will become a division of SIIA. SIPA will retain its own board and programs, including its annual conference. The SIPA staff will be absorbed by SIIA. SIPA members already have been extended all SIIA member benefits and services.
The one change will be an increase in dues for SIPA members, from $295 to $495 minimum.
Three members of the SIIA content division board will join the SIPA board, and vice versa. SIPA also will name one member to the SIIA board.
SIIA has 500 members, SIPA has 250 members, with just a few crossover members.
The merger was precipitated by falling membership and financial pressures, according to SIPA elected president Bob Brady. When former executive director Matt Salt departed a few months ago, running the association fell to volunteers. The association ultimately decided to merge with SIIA. (In a teleconference with members, Brady said the SIPA division is interviewing for a new director, as it "now has adequate money for one.")
The future of the popular SIPAwards is unclear. Options include merging the SIPAwards with SIIA's CODiE Awards, create a SIPA CODiE award to be presented at the SIPA conference, or continue the SIPAwards program as it is currently.
"Awards are great for associations, people want the recognition. How we label and time them is something we'll spend time talking about," SIIA CEO Ken Wasch said. Details: www.siia.net.
