Technology groups moving forward on consolidation discussion
Information Technology Industry Council, Washington, and TechNet, Washington, are moving forward with merger discussions.
The ITI board last week "approved moving forward with negotiations to consolidate the strengths of ITI and TechNet. Our members want to create a more effective, unified voice for the technology sector in Washington, D.C., and key markets and capitals around the world. They share the common goal of building a global technology advocacy organization with the innovative policy and political networks to match the tech sector’s economic strength and role in our daily lives," ITI CEO Dean C. Garfield said.
TechNet's board voted in February to start consolidation talks with ITI.
The process is focused "on the main objective to increase the industry's policy voice, commensurate with its economic power, that's where we stand now," TechNet spokesman Jim Hock said.
TechNet CEO Rey Ramsey initiated the idea of consolidating the industry's advocacy efforts last year. Originally Tech America was floated as part of the merger, but is not included at the moment. But an industry source said, "We're not ruling out anything at this point with any organization."
