AIIA and the Australian Electrical & Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (AEEMA) are progressing with plans to embrace and enhance common goals within the two associations, and a market research project will get underway later this month to gain essential feedback from members.

The Boards of both associations formed a Steering Committee in May, and among its tasks is overseeing the market research project, before developing a value proposition to enable members to make an informed decision about the merger.

Earlier this year, AIIA’s Board of Directors agreed that providing increased business services and value to Australia’s ICT industry is the compelling vision for the Association and AIIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Rob Durie says that with that in mind, a scale of ‘compelling force’ is required to enable greater impact in shaping the policy agenda and improved community recognition of the value of ICT.

“To accomplish this, AIIA’s strategy is to build its membership base, both organically and through alignment with like-minded organisations which play in the fields of ICT and converging industries,” Mr Durie said.

As a result, AIIA and AEEMA began to consider a proposal to merge to create a new, modern organisation capable of representing the high-tech sectors well into the twenty first century.

But why AEEMA? Like AIIA, AEEMA is an industry association, rather than a professional society. AEEMA has a significant presence in the high technology sector, and synergies already exist with AIIA members. AEEMA’s focus on sectors, collaborative industry clusters and forums enables it to respond quickly to emerging technologies and changing markets.

Joining forces with AEEMA would result in a cross-pollination of membership, and provide greater opportunities to sell AIIA products and services to a wider market, broader networking for members and a more powerful voice with government, media and the business community. AIIA members would benefit from a stronger events program with a broader audience, strengthened special interest groups, taskforces and forums, and a stronger branch structure with increased resources.

“AIIA’s Board of Directors and Secretariat remain committed to the proposed merger, although AIIA’s members will be the ones who will determine the association’s future,” Mr Durie said.

“While both associations believe the proposed merger offers exciting opportunities for our industries, member concerns will be earnestly considered,” he said.

Both associations have established open communication channels to ensure full consultation with member companies, and any feedback will be explored when the two boards meet in October. It is expected that members will vote on the proposed merger in the first quarter of 2006.

“We see this proposed merger as the opportunity to make one plus one equal three,” Mr Durie said. “Should the merger take place, the result would be a new industry association, with the whole adding significant value to the organisation’s representation and services.”

Tell us what you value most about AIIA and what you want retained in the new organisation. Email Rob Durie, James McAdam or
Madeleine Strachov or phone AIIA’s Secretariat on (02) 6281 9444.