In 1978, Bill Wells, then Managing Director of Sperry Univac in Australia, recognised the need for companies in the Australian computer industry to form industry views on issues of common interest.

The result was the formation of the Australian Computer Equipment Suppliers’ Association Limited (ACESA).  In July 1978, the chief executives of nine member companies were elected to be the first Board of Directors. Neil Lamming was appointed the first Chairman, with Bob Mounic the Executive Director.

Bill Wells’ vision brought together companies in what was, and still is, one of the most competitive industries in Australia to create an industry association that has grown with the technological and business development of computing and communications. The Association had 23 founding members.

In December 1984, members of the ACESA decided to change the Association’s name to the Australian Information Industry Association. The change meant that the new Association was able to represent all sectors of the information industry in Australia, with member companies variously involved in the development, production, sale and support of computer, telecommunications and office systems hardware, software and services.

In 2008, AIIA celebrates its thirtieth anniversary as the voice of the ICT industry in Australia, with close to 500 members – representing over half of the sector’s total annual revenue of $90 billion per annum in an industry that contributes 4.6% of GDP and drives up to 85% of productivity in other sectors of the economy.

AIIA's role is to lead and represent the ICT sector in Australia to maximise the potential of the Australian industry, national economy and wider society. As Australia's peak industry association for the ICT industry, AIIA influences public policy, engages with government and community on behalf of industry, and provides members with business productivity tools, advisory services and market intelligence to accelerate their business growth.

AIIA is setting the strategic direction of our industry across five core areas in 2008:

• industry growth
• workforce
• infrastructure
• shaping the business environment, and
• environmental sustainability.
  

The environmental cost associated with carbon emissions will soon come at a price. Businesses and industry can no longer afford to ignore the impact of emissions on their organisation’s bottom line. It is clear that technology innovation will be a major factor in the improvement of energy efficiency at all levels of business and industry. The ICT Sustainable Futures Forum is an opportunity for every company to learn more about the role it will play into the future.

While the Australian Government prepares to introduce a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme as early as 2010, energy intensive industries in some states are now required to report on their emissions.  Voluntary carbon abatement schemes are already in place with many companies adopting interim abatement measures to appease various stakeholders.

Australian businesses are poised to spend several billion dollars on systems to effectively track, report and reduce their carbon emissions.  The cost of complying with carbon reporting schemes is not going to be limited to large companies; it is also likely to have an indirect impact on small-to-medium businesses.

What is the cost of a more sustainable, low carbon future?  How can businesses meet the challenge of reducing their impact on the environment?  How can companies remodel their supply chains to become more sustainable and address the increasingly stringent criterion for green procurement?

How can Information Communication Technology (ICT) help companies successfully transition to a low-carbon economy by making it easier for businesses to track and report on carbon emissions?

The ICT Sustainable Futures Forum combines the expertise of Australia’s thought leaders in the fields of business, technology and environmental sustainability to deliver a practical view of the issues, inspiring case studies and best practices that can be adopted now.

Join over 400 key decision makers including CEOs, CFOs, CIOs and government representatives in a one-day forum that will map a pathway for companies who want to develop a more sustainable future.

The ICT Sustainable Futures Forum will be held on 7 October 2008 at the Sofitel, Melbourne. Book your place or find out more online, or  telephone (03) 9018 9070 or contact Gener8 by email

The annual ATOM Awards recognise excellence in over thirty categories of Film, Television, Animation and Multimedia (including video games) and celebrate the very best of Australian and New Zealand production. Now in its 26th year, the reputable awards program is staged by the Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM.)

The Canberra Environment and Sustainability Resource Centre (CESRC), with the support of the Australian National University (ANU) and the ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment, recently organised an E-Waste Think Tank in May 2008 to help establish a more strategic response to the growing problem of E-Waste in Australia.