Two tech groups plan merger

Two technology industry trade associations are planning to join forces in an effort to increase their lobbying clout in Washington. AeA, formerly known as the American Electronics Association, and the Information Technology Association of America, are in merger talks. The hope is that they can centralize the industry's lobbying efforts and be more effective in promoting two shared goals including renewal of the expired research and development tax credit an expansion of the H-1B visa program for high skilled tech workers.

Christopher Hansen, president and CEO of the AeA, said tech firms have to pay dues to too many organizations, and realizes that their voice has become diluted. Phil Bond, president and CEO of the ITAA, said the merger would give the groups "a louder, more unified and more effective voice." The ITAA has already completed mergers with two other tech groups this year: the Government Electronics and Information Technology Association and the Cyber Security Industry Alliance.

For more on this high-tech merger:
- see this ComputerWorld.com article