Working under the premise that there is strength in numbers, three Greater Toronto Area-based IT associations have announced a joint initiative to cooperate on a range of member activities. The Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) Ontario, the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) Toronto Chapter, and the York Technology Association (YTA) have agreed to work together to coordinate industry seminars and programs, and make events more convenient and accessible for members.
As part of the initiative, ITAC Ontario, CIPS, and YTA have agreed to:
– Coordinate the timing and topics of each of their educational seminars, workshops, and peer group activities to avoid any overlap.
– Offer each other’s membership reciprocal member rates on any of the three associations’ events.
– Cross-publicize each other’s events, well in advance of each event.
– Occasionally hold joint programs and seminars hosted by two or all three of the organizations.
“The goal is to help each of the associations involved become stronger as a result of this effort, and to provide a more uniform approach for members,” explained Allan Wilson, an independent planning consultant and organizer of the initiative. “By expanding their mailing lists and ensuring their various events interlock, rather than compete, all three groups benefit by being able to attract a broader audience, and members benefit as well by having more information about industry happenings, and less conflict in terms of scheduling.”
Added Dan Eng, President of CIPS Toronto Chapter, “We view this arrangement as an effective way to better empower our members and further engage companies in this industry.”