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CompTIA Launches New Programs Aimed at Helping IT Industry Lead Economic Turnaround
Positive outlook highlights opening day keynote speech at annual Breakaway conference
Breakaway 2009
Technology will lead the global economic recovery, helping nations find alternative energy solutions, advance healthcare and develop new educational and employment opportunities for their citizens, the president and CEO of CompTIA, the leading trade association for the information technology (IT) industry, said here today.
In his opening day keynote at the association’s annual Breakaway conference, Todd Thibodeaux announced that CompTIA will launch a series of new initiatives aimed at helping technology companies drive innovation and growth.
“The future is very bright for our industry,” Thibodeaux told Breakaway attendees. “The world counts on your work to make it all happen. New alternative energy sources won’t be developed without IT. Electronic health records are a pipe dream without IT. The next generation of medications and cures won’t happen without IT. And the intelligent transportation and power grids of the future won’t happen without IT.”
Thibodeaux touted Breakaway as “the launch of a whole new chapter in CompTIA’s rich history,” which dates back to 1982 when the association was established.
“When people talk about CompTIA going forward we want them to envision openness, flexibility, effectiveness, transparency and responsiveness,” said Thibodeaux. “We strive to be good listeners, innovators and efficient implementers. There’s a home for every vertical market, vendor or distributor, reseller or solution provider to become part of what’s happening at CompTIA.”
Among the new programs designed to aid the industry and announced today, Thibodeaux said CompTIA will create two new robust online communities for the IT channel.
The CompTIA Channel Community (C3) is intended to be the world’s premier channel-neutral online community.
“C3 will aggregate the best thinking on business solutions, trends, and discussion forums with rich, deep and exclusive content, webinars, whitepapers and business intelligence,” Thibodeaux said. “We’re making this an open platform and we invite other existing forums to become part of C3.”
The CompTIA IT Pro Community will provide a place for those who want to enter or advance an IT career to solicit expert advice, network with peers and find critical tools and resources. One of these resources is the CompTIA Career Center, which will match certified job seekers with employers trying to fill IT jobs.
Thibodeaux said CompTIA will collaborate with Channel Insider, the leading source for IT channel intelligence and analysis, to create the Channel Vanguard Council. Invited executives of IT vendors, distributors and service and solution providers will deliberate on a wide-range of issues including technologies, services, business models and processes and best practices, market influences and conditions and supplier relations.
“The forum will be a collaborative, moderated community exploring issues affecting the IT channel community today and in the future; and producing clear, actionable guidance for the overall channel community,” Thibodeaux explained.
Thibodeaux announced the creation of a new political action committee, CompTIA PAC, which will “focus on the interests of the people in the IT sector as well as the needs of those who own and work for America’s 32,000 VARs.”
Other new programs for CompTIA members include the introduction of the CompTIA Member Resource Center, where members can find companies providing services in finance, logistics, HR, channel consulting, training, public relations, marketing, research, and more. CompTIA members will be eligible to receive significant discounts from top quality providers.
“Our goal is to aggregate an industry-trusted and vetted database of the best of the best in business services,” Thibodeaux said.
In April 2010, CompTIA will re-launch its annual member meeting, bringing together the people who make up the CompTIA Sections, Executive Forums and Advisory Councils. It will be a chance for them to meet and talk about what CompTIA can do to help all its members be more successful.
CompTIA will offer its members even more opportunities for face-to-face, peer-to-peer events beginning this fall with the Managed IT Services Summit presented in partnership with MSP Partners. In addition, three regional events are planned for this fall where attendees will be able to participate in business simulations that provide great insights into improving their business.
To broaden its reach among the global IT industry, CompTIA this summer officially opened offices in New Delhi, India and Beijing, China. This adds to the association’s international presence, which includes offices in London, Brussels, South Africa, Australia, Germany, Poland, and Japan.
Earlier this week, CompTIA introduced Strata, a new credential that offers individuals a broad introduction to computing technology.
Breakaway continues through Aug. 6.
About CompTIA
CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, please visit www.comptia.org.