ITAA, CRITA announce alliance

The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) and the Council of Regional Information Technology Associations (CRITA) today announced an alliance they said will enhance the ability of thousands of technology companies to reach governments and markets at the local, state, federal and global levels.

The organizations said they will join forces this year on public policy issues, programs and events of interest to both organizations' members.

The agreement follows a similar arrangement between ITAA and the Northern Virginia Technology Council announced last month.

“This agreement provides IT with a nexus for growth in all arenas -- from the grass roots to the global,” Phil Bond, ITAA president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “By partnering with CRITA, our companies gain valuable expertise in state and local public policy and business development through more than 40 regional IT and technology trade organizations.”

The organizations said they will open select events to each other’s members and exchange expertise on public policy and business development. They also will invite each organization’s president to join the other’s board of directors in an ex-officio capacity.

ITAA said it will offer CRITA members and the companies they represent leadership, counsel and support on international and national legislative and regulatory issues, and international trade missions. In exchange, CRITA’s member associations will provide support for legislative and regulatory issues in their regions of operation.

“A global economy demands effective representation locally but also nationally and internationally,” said Joan Myers of the North Carolina Technology Association. She is CRITA’s president and CEO.

“Considering ITAA’s federal policy advocacy and relationship with the World Information Technology and Services Alliance, this agreement represents a perfect fit for our members and the companies they represent,” she said.

CRITA is a nonprofit, 501(c)6 corporation that represents more than 50 IT and technology trade organizations. CRITA is based in Cleveland.