ITAA, Va. tech council combine forces for legislative lobbying

The Information Technology Association of America and the Northern Virginia Technology Council have agreed to combine their national and regional IT focus and lobbying skills to advocate for public policy issues, programs and events of concern to both organizations.“The technology industry’s future depends upon its ability to reach government and markets at all levels and all locations -- from the grass roots to the global,” said ITAA President and Chief Executive Officer Phil Bond in a statement released today.“By partnering with NVTC, our [member] companies gain valuable expertise in public policy and business development in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” he added.Under the agreement, the two advocacy groups will open select events to each other’s members and exchange public policy and business development expertise. ITAA will offer the council and its members counsel and support on national and international legislative and regulatory issues. It will also provide help on international trade missions. In exchange, the council will provide support on such issues in Virginia.“In today’s global economy, it is critical that Northern Virginia’s technology industry has a strong voice and presence at the state and regional level, and also across the nation and throughout the world,” NVTC President and CEO Bobbie Kilberg said in the statement.“ITAA’s strong record in federal policy advocacy and relationship with the World Information Technology and Services Alliance makes this a natural alliance, which will provide value to our members,” she added.ITAA consists of about 325 corporate members nationwide and is secretariat of the alliance, a global network linking IT associations in 67 countries.NVTC is the membership and trade association for the technology community of Northern Virginia. It has about 1,100 member companies, which employ more than 188,000 workers, making it the largest technology council in the country.