On February 7, 2008, the Washington Software Alliance (WSA) holds its annual Industry Achievement Awards event at the Seattle Westin Hotel's ballroom (1400 6th Avenue). The trade group's new CEO, Ken Myer (b. 1957), makes an important announcement -- one that also reveals the organization's commitment to expand its mission and goals. Not only will the WSA be recast as the Washington Technology Industry Association, but it will also broaden its efforts to represent the entire spectrum of high-tech businesses in the state -- "It's time our name matched our membership," says Myer (The Seattle Times).
By 2009 Myer was able to claim significant progress: the 1,000-member WTIA had gained 100 new corporate members through an organizational merger with TechAmerica, the "industry’s largest advocacy organization" and the "technology industry's only grassroots-to-global advocacy network" (WashingtonTechnology.org). As Myer stated, this banding together of local "companies in the electronics and device segments of the industry" would complement "our existing strength in software, digital media and telecom" fields (WashingtonTechnology.org).
