Special to the California Technology Council (a member of TECNA), and reprinted by permission of TechAmerica.
TechAmerica powered by CompTIA today announced a 35% increase in new strategic partnerships focused on increasing grassroots advocacy throughout the United States. The grassroots coalition now reaches more than 14,000 technology companies in more than 20 states. The new strategic partners: California Technology Council, Howard Technology Council, Metroplex Technology Business Council, Nashville Technology Council, OCTANe and the Wisconsin Technology Council will join 17 technology councils that already affiliate on public policy advocacy and other activities to educate their member companies on national policy issues affecting their IT businesses.
“Given the vibrancy of technology firms throughout the United States, we are pleased that these technology councils have joined our grassroots network,” said Elizabeth Hyman, executive vice president, TechAmerica. “These partnerships will educate and mobilize the grassroots technology community and impact policy issues important to growth, innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the country.”
In the 114th Congress, TechAmerica will work with its grassroots partners to advocate around tax reform, workforce development, cybersecurity, broadband communications and comprehensive global trade policies.
This grassroots network, formerly known as TechVoice, is comprised of state and regional technology associations around the country that join together to speak with a unified voice on Capitol Hill and in state capitals. TechAmerica works closely with the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), which many of these organizations are a member, to advocate on behalf of tens of thousands of technology and professional service companies. These technology councils and TechAmerica will collaborate on several activities throughout the year, including the TechAmerica D.C. Fly-In on February 10-11. More than 100 attendees, mainly representatives of small and mid-sized technology firms, are expected to participate.
“Through our strategic partnership with CompTIA and its public policy efforts, TECNA members have the unique ability to mobilize and unify the technology community around critical issues that will help advance the technology profession and industry,” said Bob Moore, executive director, TECNA.
The complete roster of technology councils affiliated with TechAmerica on public policy advocacy includes: Arizona Technology Council; California Technology Council; Colorado Technology Association; CONNECT; Connecticut Technology Council; Howard Tech Council; Idaho Technology Council; Illinois Technology Association; Mass Technology Leadership Council; Metroplex Technology Business Council; Nashville Tech Council; New Hampshire High Tech Council; New York Technology Council ; North Carolina Technology Association; OCTANe; Orange County Technology Alliance; Tampa Bay Technology Forum; Technology Association of Georgia; Technology Association of Oregon; Technology Council of Greater Kansas City (KCnext); Utah Technology Council; Washington Technology Industry Association; and the Wisconsin Technology Council.